Prabowo Opens Muhammadiyah Tanwir, Praises Its Social Impact
President Prabowo Subianto officially opened Muhammadiyah's Tanwir meeting in Palu, praising the Islamic organisation's contributions to the nation.
Portal Islam 
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PALU, PORTAL-ISLAM.COM — President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto officially opened the Tanwir (national council meeting) and the 114th Milad (anniversary) of Muhammadiyah—one of Indonesia's largest Islamic organisations—at Muhammadiyah University of Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Saturday afternoon (14/11/2026). During the event, the head of state expressed deep appreciation for the organisation's dedicated service and concrete contributions to the Indonesian people, particularly in education, healthcare, and social services.
As reported by Muhammadiyah's official website (muhammadiyah.or.id), President Prabowo emphasized that Muhammadiyah's main strength lies in its consistency and commitment to executing tangible works that directly benefit the wider public. The organisation is recognized for its strong intellectual tradition and prominent educational role throughout national history.
Praise for Muhammadiyah's Real Contributions and Achievements
In his remarks published by muhammadiyah.or.id, President Prabowo detailed several figures highlighting the social services and infrastructure managed by Muhammadiyah. He noted that the organisation operates 165 higher education institutions, 24 medical faculties, 130 hospitals, 8,000 primary and secondary schools, and approximately 20,000 kindergartens across the archipelago.
According to the President, the scale of this public service network reflects the high quality of governance and leadership within Muhammadiyah.
“The greatness of Muhammadiyah stems from its dedicated work in its chosen fields, serving the nation and the Indonesian people in a tangible way,”
President Prabowo Subianto
He added that Muhammadiyah's contributions, particularly in education, will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the nation's future.
“This demonstrates the quality of leadership and the organizational management capabilities of this movement,”
President Prabowo Subianto
Lighthearted Moments and Official Opening
Citing a report by CNN Indonesia, the atmosphere at the opening ceremony in Palu was marked by warmth and lighthearted humor. In his address, President Prabowo joked about his own membership status in Muhammadiyah despite serving as the country's president and being a retired four-star general.
“Here is a four-star general, the President of Indonesia, yet only a regular member in Muhammadiyah,”
President Prabowo Subianto
CNN Indonesia also noted the President's playful exchange on stage with the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti, who also serves as Secretary General of Muhammadiyah's Central Leadership. Prabowo joked about their unique hierarchy inside and outside the organisation, including a story regarding a proposed construction of a bridge named Shiratal Mustaqim in Madura. As a member of Muhammadiyah, Prabowo expressed a sense of responsibility to ensure the success of the upcoming 49th Muhammadiyah Congress (Muktamar).
Following his remarks, President Prabowo officially declared the event open on Saturday afternoon, November 14, 2026.
“On this afternoon, Saturday, November 14, 2026, by seeking the mercy of Allah, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby officially declare open the 2026 Muhammadiyah Tanwir, and I wish Muhammadiyah a happy 114th anniversary,”
President Prabowo Subianto
The Value of Shiratal Mustaqim and National Wealth Management
According to DetikHikmah, President Prabowo stressed the importance of taking the principle of Shiratal Mustaqim (the straight path) as a primary guide in national life. He shared that this value was deeply instilled in him by his teachers and scholars.
“I learned from my teachers, scholars, and ustadhs. What resonates most strongly in my mind is the concept of Shiratal Mustaqim,”
President Prabowo Subianto
As reported by DetikHikmah, the President explained that human life continuously presents choices between the path of truth and the path of falsehood. He lamented that Indonesia's abundant natural wealth has not been fully enjoyed by all citizens due to corruption, greed, and the abuse of power by a few.
To address these issues, the President emphasized the need to reform the national governance system so that all national resources are focused on eradicating poverty and hunger.
“What we are doing is correcting a flawed system and safeguarding the wealth of the Indonesian people so that it can be enjoyed by everyone,”
President Prabowo Subianto
“Our goal is that we must eradicate poverty from Indonesian soil, and we must eliminate hunger from Indonesian soil,”
President Prabowo Subianto
President Prabowo also drew inspiration from national founding figures such as KH Ahmad Dahlan and Ki Bagus Hadikusumo, who shared a noble vision of a just Indonesia free from persistent inequality and poverty.
Based on muhammadiyah.or.id, the President called on all parts of the organisation to continue collaborating to preserve national unity, contribute constructive ideas, and oversee national development. Upholding moral virtues and simplicity served as his key message concluding his speech.
“Long live Muhammadiyah! Continue your struggle, uphold truth, uphold justice, and uphold honesty,”
President Prabowo Subianto
Islamic Wisdom and Perspective
The spirit of active service through institutional works in education and social welfare demonstrated by Muhammadiyah aligns with the Islamic imperative to cooperate in goodness and righteousness. Muslims are urged to prioritize practical action and unity for the public good, as reflected in the exegesis of Surah Al-Ma'idah verse 2.
Furthermore, the call to uphold honesty, justice, and purity of intention when managing public trusts exemplifies the practice of akhlak mahmudah (praiseworthy character) in public life. Such noble virtues serve as a primary defence against greed that harms society, while fostering a balanced national environment embodying the principle of tawazun (balance) for the collective welfare.
