Muhammadiyah Gets Permit to Establish Schools in Australia

TheIndonesia.id - Muhammadiyah Central Executive obtained permission to establish a kindergarten and an elementary school in Australia under the name Muhammadiyah Australia College (MAC).

"Thank God, the Muhammadiyah Central Executive has obtained the operational permit for Muhammadiyah schools in Australia," said General Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Central Executive Haedar Nashir during a press conference at the Muhamadiyah Central Executive Office in Yogyakarta, Wednesday, December 29, 2021.

The official permit for MAC establishment at 1-3 Killarney, Drive, Melton Victoria, Australia, was obtained from the Australian government through the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA), Victoria's Department of Education, on December 21, 2021. The establishment was intended as an expansion of the Muhammadiyah movement for education development which has a strategic function in achieving progress and unity among nations.

"MAC completes a new chapter of Muhammadiyah's commitment to building an enlightened common civilization under the banner of progressive Islam with the perspective of Islam as a mercy for all creation in the international community through Muhammadiyah's internationalization program," he said as quoted by Antara.

To establish MAC, Muhammadiyah Central Executive purchased a land area of more than one hectare located at 1-3 Killarney Drive, Melton, Victoria, Australia 3337. The Head of Australian Special Branch of Muhammadiyah (PCIM) then processed the MAC registration permit to VRQA.

Prior to the MAC establishment process, according to Haedar, PCIM Australia had held a meeting with various elements of Indonesian and non-Indonesian communities in Victoria to seek input on the registration process to develop steps in accordance with applicable regulations.

After submitting all requirements for new school registration and receiving input from VQRA, on December 21, 2021, an operational permit for MAC was issued. Since December 21, 2021, Muhammadiyah Australia College has been officially and legally operating in Australia.

The establishment of schools in Australia is a continuation of the "Internationalization of Muhammadiyah" program.

It is an addition to developing Muhammadiyah Special Branch and Aisyiyah Special Branch (Muhammadiyah's women's organization), scholarships and cadre diaspora, interreligious dialogue forums and peace, as well as humanitarian programs in the global realm, specifically developing strategic business charities abroad. Muhammadiyah has established the Da'wah Headquarters and ABA Kindergarten in Cairo, Egypt, PCIM Malaysia Economic Enterprises, Universiti Muhammadiyah Malaysia (UMAM), and continued to the establishment of MAC.

Muhammadiyah is one of the two largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia. Together with Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah plays a role in mainstreaming moderate Islam in Indonesia.