Makassar, S Sulawesi(ANTARA News) - Muhamadiyah Special Chapters and Muslim communities in 12 countries, and the Muhammadiyah Executive Board have signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in effort to strengthen their cooperation.
The MoU signing took place at the first plenary session of the 47th congress of Muhammadiyah in the Muhammadiyah University campus here on Monday night.
Chairman of the first plenary session, Malik Fajar said, Muhammadiyah has special branches in a number of friendly countries and several Muslim communities in a number of countries expressed their interest in learning about Muhammadiyah organization in Indonesia.
The Muslim communities from 12 countries originating from
Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mauritius, and Timor-Leste.
Meanwhile, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo urged Muhammadiyah, one of the largest Islamic organizations in the country, to continue being progressive to support the national development.
President Jokowi made the statement during the opening ceremony of the 47th Muhammadiyah Congress at Karebosi Stadium in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Monday.
He said that the organization had proved to be progressive in its efforts to support the fields of health, education and social affairs in Indonesia.
"How many babies were born in the Aisyiah Mother and Child Hospital? And how many of our students are educated in its schools? This proves that Muhammadiyah is a big organization that works to benefit people," he stated.
Aisyiah is the womens wing of Muhammadiyah.
Furthermore, Jokowi emphasized that the group should continue its initiatives and, along with the government and other civil societies, work towards development.
In addition, the head of state shed light on Muhammadiyahs role in promoting national unity, brotherhood and tolerance.
"We should serve as a model nation that maintains order and lives in peace amid diversity," he remarked.
Moreover, all this time, Muhammadiyah has been known as an organization that promotes moderate Islam and the concept of unity in diversity.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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