Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) hosted a book review event for the book ‘Gerakan Islam Berkemajuan’ written by the Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah, Prof. Dr. Haedar Nashir, M.Si, on Friday night (20/12) at the UMSU Auditorium on Jalan Mukhtar Basri No.3 Medan.
The event was solemnly attended by a number of important Muhammadiyah figures, including the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education of Indonesia, Dr Fajar Riza Ul Haq, M.A., and the General Treasurer of PP Muhammadiyah, Prof. H. Hilman Latief, M.A., Ph.D..
This book review was a continuation of the book launch at Tanwir Muhammadiyah in Kupang, and became an important momentum in the effort to strengthen the vision of progressive Islam among Muhammadiyah.
In his speech, Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah, Prof Haedar revealed that the 700-page book titled ‘The Islamic Movement in Progress’ is one of 34 books and 500 writings as well as 288 reflection articles in republika that he has produced over the past 24 years.
‘I received a high honour tonight, this book was dissected and a follow-up to the launching. Thank you for this book review event, I feel that it is no longer a book review, it is a warm-up for the Congress. InsyaAlalh this event is meaningful for us,’ he said.
The Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah felt that this activity was not just a book review, but a warm-up for the 2027 Congress which will be held in North Sumatra and UMSU as the host with PWM North Sumatra.
Prof Haedar, who won the Anugerah Hamengkubuwono IX award from UGM, said that in his journey, Muhammadiyah still had shortcomings that were not in accordance with progressive Islam, so in chapter six of the book he wrote about the progressive Islamic agenda.
‘In chapter six, it is about what Muhammadiyah should do so that the view of progressive Islam becomes an outward reference and is internalised in our minds, Muhamamdiyah citizens,’ he said.
The Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah said that in sociology, Muhamamdiyah is an exemplar, namely the concrete evidence of progressive Islam itself in the form of a movement.
There are three books that he has written, namely the book ‘Renewal Movement’, the book ‘Progressive Islamic Movement’ which has been written since January 2024 and another book is in the works.
‘Please pray, I am writing one more large manuscript which, God willing, will be completed before 2027, as a gift to Muhammadiyah,’ he said.
Then, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Fajar Riza Ul Haq, M.A., assessed that the book Gerakan Islam Berkemajuan is the result of the evolution of Prof. K.H. Haedar Nashir’s long thoughts in developing Muhammadiyah in a more dynamic area.
‘I think this is an important contribution delivered through this thick book. Hopefully, this book will be read not only by Muhammadiyah intellectual activists, but also students and teachers of Al-Islam and Kemuhammadiyah,’ he said.
According to Dr Fajar, Muhammadiyah must continue to develop the phase of thoughts of modernity and progress. The book is a representative portrait of how Muhammadiyah is progressing, its values continue to undergo institutional processes.
He hopes that the book of the Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah can become an academic sun on Muhammadiyah campuses.
Furthermore, UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP expressed his pride at being chosen by UMSU to hold this activity.
‘We have prepared everything well. Thank you for the trust given to UMSU, Prof,’ he said.
On this occasion, Prof Agussani also said that UMSU has a publisher, UMSU Press, which won an award as the most productive university publisher in Indonesia from Perpusnas in 2024.
He also hopes that books by Muhammadiyah leaders can later be published through UMSU Press and provide wider benefits.
The book of the Berkemajaun Islamic Movement was dissected by three dissectors who provided in-depth analyses, namely: Prof. Dr Bambang Setiaji, M.Si (Chairperson of the PP Muhammadiyah Diktilitbang Assembly) dissected the book with the title Haedar Nashir’s Development Model. Then, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Qorib, M.A (Treasurer of PWM North Sumatra and Dean of FAI UMSU) discussed Suluh Peradaban: Small Notes for the Book of the Progressive Islamic Movement and Prof. Dr. Syamsul Arifin, M.Si (Professor of Sociology of Religion, UMM) discussed the Minutes of Progressive Islam in the Muhammadiyah Ideological Framework.
All three speakers said that the book reflects Muhammadiyah’s strategic thinking in integrating religious values, modernity, and global civilisation.
This event is clear evidence that Muhammadiyah continues to strengthen its role as a dynamic, progressive, and relevant Islamic movement.
Also present were Chairperson of PP Aisyiyah Dr. Pharmacist Salmah Orbayinah, M.Kes, Chairperson of PWM North Sumatra Prof. Dr. H. Hasyimsyah Nasution, MA, Chairperson of PWA North Sumatra Dr. Nur Rahmah Amini MAg, Rectors of Muhamamdiyah Universities in Kupang, Sorong, Riau and Malaysia, Representatives of Muhammadiyah University in North Sumatra.
