Islam, modernity and Muhammadiyah's educational Programme

Author: Fuad, Muhammad¹

Source: Inter-Asia Cultural Studies, Volume 5, Number 3, December 2004 , pp. 400-414(15)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract:

By looking at Muhammdiyah's educational programme and examining the discourse of its thinkers concerning modern conditions, this paper explores the ways in which this modernist Islamic movement deals with modernity. The different curricula that Muhammadiyah schools and colleges adopt reflect the tension of its efforts of reconciling religious requirements with those of modernity. The need to prepare students for life in modern times has led Muhammadiyah schools and universities to emphasize the teaching of modern general knowledge and skills, often at the expense of religious subjects. The difficulties of reconciling Islam and modern science, as well as making Islam remain a viable system of values in the midst of industrialization, however, has become a source of energy for Muhammadiyah thinkers to keep searching for new formulations. The fact that the public sphere seems to need an even greater dosage of infusion of Islamic values as Indonesia industrializes and modernizes itself does not discourage them. Their debate indicates a critical understanding of modernity and the challenges and opportunities it offers Muhammadiyah in 21st century Indonesia. Their disagreements show unresolved difficulties as to how modernism and Islam can be fused. They also show, however, a confidence that Islam can be a basis to think of ways of how to confront and shape modernity in Islamic terms.

Keywords: Ummah; Waqaf; Madrasah; Fardlu kifayah; Ulama; Da'wah; Hajj; Qurban; Zakat

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/1464937042000288697

Affiliations: 1: Jl. Percetakan Negara XVB/13A, Jakarta, 10570, Indonesia