The Community Empowerment Council (MPM) of the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership together with ‘Aisyiyah University (Unisa) Yogyakarta continues to empower the community. Community empowerment is no exception for disabilities in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY).
“Muhammadiyah has historical roots as a defender of the marginalized,” said Chairman of MPM PP Muhammadiyah, Dr. M. Nurul Yamin, M.Si., during the Social Inclusion Forum of Ramadan Recitation with the Community Assisted by MPM PP Muhammadiyah, at the Convention Hall of Walidah Dahlan Mosque, Sunday (23/3/2025).
Yamin said that what MPM PP Muhammadiyah wanted to do in the defense of the marginalized was through spiritual and social empowerment. As in the activities held this time, it is part of the empowerment effort.
“This empowerment requires a lot of time and resources. Therefore, we collaborate, both within the Muhammadiyah Association and with partners. In the empowerment movement towards marginalized people, of course we have taken into account the efficiency aspect. However, this movement must continue and must not stop,” said Yamin.
According to Yamin, the efficiency of the government should not be a reason to ignore the community or marginalized people in need. Therefore, Muhammadiyah has made various breakthroughs.
“The strategy we use is circular economy, which is an empowerment-based economy that supports each other in the Muhammadiyah ecosystem. For example, the produce from Jamaah Tani Muhammadiyah is consumed by Muhammadiyah business charities, including products such as rice and eggs,” he said.
Yamin said most of the activities focus on empowerment through Muhammadiyah’s internal networks. “What we always emphasize is that even though we experience material limitations, we must not be mentally poor. Our mentality must remain rich, even though we are economically limited. Because many people are materially abundant, but have a poor mentality,” said Yamin.
Yamin revealed that currently there are around 1,500 communities that are fostered or empowered by MPM PP Muhammadiyah. “This empowerment aims to build a strong mentality,” said Yamin.
Rector of UNISA Yogyakarta, Dr. Warsiti, S.Kp., M.Kep., Sp.Mat. said the agenda was to build a grassroots network. “Hopefully this agenda will also bring blessings and happiness to all of us,” said Warsiti.
Warsiti said this activity was also in line with the vision and values upheld by Unisa Yogyakarta, namely inclusiveness, empowerment, and strengthening the role of grassroots communities in building common welfare. “Our presence in the community is an important part in sustaining national development, while realizing our vision in Yogyakarta and at the national level,” she said.
On this occasion, Unisa Yogyakarta also launched the Al-Maun Scholarship, which is the Muhammadiyah Superior Foster Child Scholarship. This scholarship is a Higher Education assistance from the form of synergy between Unisa Yogyakarta and MPM.
