"We all know of this nation as a country, with the largest Muslim community, but in its preaching, it is always adjusting and encouraging," the vice president stated at the Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta on Monday.
Hence, the vice president remarked that the Muhammadiyah youth must project an encouraging and not fearful image in carrying out the Islamic da`wah.
The vice president also remarked that preaching conducted in an encouraging manner has in fact become the history of this nation since in Indonesia, there are no Islamic images that use swords, which is different from those in Middle Eastern countries that use swords.
"It signifies that their da`wah is different from ours in this country that prioritizes culture while preaching, convincing it by encouraging it and not by fear," the vice president explained.
"That is the distinctive feature of Islam in Indonesia. Hence, we must continue that preaching does not need to be frightening. It does not need to be encouraged and enforced. Moreover, preaching is indeed an effort to progress together," Kalla stated.
The vice president remarked that the encouraging Islamic da`wah certainly had an impact on the progress of the biggest religion in Indonesia, and it could be measured by the increasing number of mosques and prayer rooms and worshipers.
"The pilgrims first paid off immediately, but now it takes 20 to 40 years. It indicates a high level of religious progress. Likewise, fasting and tarawih prayers during Ramadhan indicate that da`wah is successful and progressing well," he pointed out.
The Muhammadiyah Youth XVII Conference, attended by thousands of participants and observers from each Regional Leader, Regional Leaders, and Muhammadiyah Youth Branch Managers throughout Indonesia, is being held on November 25-28, 2018, and themed "Joyful of Islamic Da`wah, Advancing Indonesia."
"Of course, our hopes of all these congresses are in addition to being able to evaluate what the previous management has done (PP Pemuda Muhammadiyah) certainly designs what will be done in future," he added.
Reporting by Hery Sidik
Editing by Eliswan, Sri Haryati
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
