Jokowi Appreciates Muhammadiyah's Role in Post-pandemic Recovery

Jajaran petinggi Muhammadiyah dan Aisyiah, termasuk Ketum PP Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir (tengah depan), berjalan keluar dari Istana Merdeka seusai melakukan pertemuan dengan Presiden Jokowi (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appreciates Muhammadiyah's role in the recovery process after the COVID-19 pandemic, both in the national economy and in other sectors.

Chairman of the Central Executive Board (PP) of Muhammadiyah, Haedar Nasir, said that President Jokowi expressed his appreciation at a meeting of the two parties at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday.

"Mr. President conveys his high appreciation for Muhammadiyah's movement, including to engage in the economic field", said Haedar as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, September 16.

Haedar explained that even though the COVID-19 pandemic hit, his party never stopped to continue to contribute to building the country.

"There is not even a day without the inauguration of school buildings, hospitals, da'wah buildings, and activity centers below", he said.

According to Haedar, his party continues to mobilize various economic potentials and Muhammadiyah charities in joint efforts to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even in the midst of the pandemic, he said, his party in August 2021 inaugurated the opening of the University of Muhammadiyah Malaysia in Putrajaya and began operating the Muhammadiyah Australia College in Melbourne in December 2021.

For all these contributions, Haedar said Jokowi had expressed his appreciation on the sidelines of the meeting.

"The President gave high appreciation and he expressed his belief that Muhammadiyah is a force that is indeed the pillar (support) of the nation's progress", he said.

During the meeting, PP Muhammadiyah extended an invitation to President Jokowi to attend and officially open the 48th Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah Congress in Surakarta, Central Java, on November 18-20 2022.

According to Haedar, President Jokowi has accepted the invitation and will open the two congresses at the Manahan Stadium in Solo on November 19, 2022.

Haedar said that the 48th Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah Congress had to be delayed by two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nevertheless, he said, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Muhammadiyah continued to be the government's partner in dealing with the pandemic.

"For 2.5 years we have worked hard through all of our institutions to play a role as government partners in dealing with and overcoming this pandemic", continued Haedar.

During the meeting, President Jokowi was accompanied by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy and Minister of State Secretary Pratikno.