The Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) held an iftar on Saturday (3/23) at the UMSU campus auditorium on Jalan Mukchtar Basri No. 3 Medan, together with the North Sumatra Muhammadiyah Regional Leadership (PWM), Aisyiyah Regional Leadership (PWA), and the UMSU academic community.
The activity, attended by the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership Chairman, Dr.H. Agus Taufiqurrahman Sp,S., M.Kes, was greeted enthusiastically by hundreds of Muhammadiyah residents. Also present were the Chairman of the North Sumatra PWM, Prof. Dr. Hasyimsyah Nasution, MA and staff, UMSU Rector, Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP, North Sumatra PWA Advisor HJ Elynita, North Sumatra PWA Chairperson, Dr. Nur Rahma Amini M. AGg and staff, PDM / PDA, PCM / PCA, Chairman of BPH UMSU, Dr. H. Bahril Datuk, M.M, Vice Rector II, Prof. Dr. Akrim, WR III, Dr. Rudianto, MSi, Rector Expert Staff Prof. Dr. Ir. Hj. R. Sabrina, M.Si, Faculty and Study Program Leaders and UMSU Academic Community.
Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah Dr.H. Agus Taufiqurrahman Sp,S, M.KesPP, in his lecture, explained that since the beginning, Muhammadiyah had been raised to bring joyful Islam. This is in line with the message of the Prophet Muhammad: SAW, da’wah is always delivered joyfully; do not make people sad and run away; make it easy, not difficult. So, the Muhammadiyah leaders should not be full of problems in order to bring joy.
“We leaders who manage this da’wah, if we want to be joyful and not full of problems, then of course we want Muhammadiyah meetings to be full of joy,” he said.
Furthermore, he explained that Muhammadiyah was born in Yogyakarta but then developed rapidly in Padang. Furthermore, Muhammadiyah figure Buya Hamka was sent to Makassar so that later Muhammadiyah grew as a large organization. “So there is a sentence that Muhammadiyah was born in Yogyakarta, developed in Padang, and grew up in Makassar.
“Now, because of the Congress in North Sumatra, the sentence is added again: Muhammadiyah was born in Yogyakarta, developed in Padang, grew up in Makassar, and rallied in North Sumatra,” he said.
North Sumatra must show that it can be a successful host as the organizer of the 49th Muhammadiyah Congress 20027. “We show it well when the congress becomes an international spotlight because Muhammadiyah is not only a regional force, yesterday our proof received the international Zayed Award as an institution whose work in advancing humanity and global brotherhood,” he said.
There is even a discourse that Muhammadiyah, not the person but the institution, will receive the Nobel Prize because of its work for humanity and international peace. This means that Muhammadiyah has been internationally recognized, so if the Congress is held in North Sumatra, it will automatically become an international spotlight.
“Therefore, we are the ones who take on that historical role, ladies and gentlemen, because we happen to be the ones who are mandated to oversee the company, just the point of view, if the point of view is always pessimistic, then the burden is thought of. But if people are optimistic, then what they think about is opportunities, “he said.
Meanwhile, UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. said, various preparations have been made by UMSU as the organizer and Muhammadiyah North Sumatra as the host of the 49th Congress. The preparations relate to the location, including the use of digital attendance technology.
“How to utilize technology, especially in the context of digital attendance, whose trial starts today at Breaking the Fast. At least this is a warm-up as we know the mandate of the Central Leadership, which appointed Muhammadiyah North Sumatra as the host of the Muhammadiyah Congress in 2027 and UMSU and was appointed as the organizer, “he said.
On that occasion, the Rector also discussed UMSU’s development and various achievements. “Alhamdulillah, UMSU has maintained superior accreditation until 2029,” he said.
Furthermore, UMSU is currently also submitting several proposals for the establishment of doctoral study programs. In addition to, developing international programs as a demand that must be met as a university. “Alhamdulillah, internationally, UMSU has achieved 4 stars from QS Rating, MQA recognition and ranks one ASEAN PTS for community service, ranks 7th for research, and 21 best PTS in ASEAN according to AppliedHE,” he said.
Breaking the Fast together, he explained, is an annual routine of the North Sumatra PWM, Aisyiah, together with the UMSU academic community. It is hoped that this gathering activity will further strengthen the spirit in order to face the 49th Congress, where North Sumatra Muhammadiyah is appointed as the host and UMSU as the organizer.
Finally, the Chairman of the North Sumatra PWM, Prof. Dr. Hasyimsyah, related to the Muhammadiyah Congress, hopes that all Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah cadres can participate in the success of the Congress because unity is the main key to progress.