Muhammadiyah Tanwir Assembly Inaugurated By President Megawati In Today's History, January 24 2002

JAKARTA – Today's history, 21 years ago, on January 24, 2002, President Megawati Soekarnoputri opened the Tanwir Session of one of the largest Islamic organizations, Muhammadiyah. The event took place at the Grand Inna Bali Beach Hotel Sanur, Bali. Megawati's presence is a reflection of the government's warm relationship with Muhammadiyah.

Previously, Megawati often fully supported the existence of Muhammadiyah in the agenda of educating the nation's children. This support was because her own family – grandfather and father – had been part of Muhammadiyah.

Megawati Soekarnoputri was very close to Muhammadiyah. This closeness has been built long ago by her family. Her grandfather, Hasan Din, and her father, Soekarno, are known to have been active as part of Muhammadiyah in Bengkulu.

Megawati did not want to lose either. She, who at that time had become the number one person in Indonesia (2001-2004), actively supported all kinds of Muhammadiyah agendas. Especially during the era of Ahmad Syafii Maarif who served as General Chairperson of PP Muhammadiyah (1998-2005).

The man who is often called Buya Syafii seemed to fully support Megawati's leadership. For her, the election of Megawati as President of Indonesia is a big phenomenon. Megawati's presence was able to break through the old notion that women do not have the power like men to lead.

In fact, Megawati is capable of leading Indonesia. Her leadership was then likened by Buya Syafii to other world women leaders. Among others Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, to Margaret Hilda Thatcher. What's more, Megawati was able to lead one of the major parties in the country, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP).

"In this perspective, the emergence of Mrs. Mega as the first female president is an important milestone in overturning ancient opinions about the position of women in the expression: Suwarga nunut, naraka katut (husband are leaders in the family who responsible for the success in life, ed)."

“This expression is an illustration of a dense feudal culture, where women are nothing more than servants. The phenomena of the modern century have crippled this unfair and inhuman view," said Ahmad Syafii Maarif in the book Megawati: Anak Putra Sang Fajar (2012).

It is this closeness that makes Megawati often invited as a special guest at events that are perpetuated by Muhammadiyah. The Tanwir Muhammadiyah Session was held at the Grand Inna Bali Beach Hotel Bali from 24 to 27 January 2002, for example.

Megawati was also asked to inaugurate the Tanwir Muhammadiyah on January 24, 2002. Megawati's arrival was a form of support for Muhammadiyah. Megawati fully supports Muhammadiyah's da'wah agenda within the PDIP sphere. Megawati's presence also confirmed that the relationship between the government and Muhammadiyah was getting closer.

“Early January 2002, PP Muhammadiyah invited President Megawati to open the Muhammadiyah Tanwir Session in Sanur, Denpasar, Bali. Mrs. Mega came with Mr. Taufik Kiemas. As Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah at that time, I and other PP members welcomed the arrival of the two with joy.

“Those years Muhammadiyah was declaring the need to promote cultural movements as one of Muhammadiyah's da'wah methods. Around 80 percent of the PDIP masses are Muslims who need to be touched by the Muhammadiyah da'wah movement," continued Buya Syafii.