Jakarta and Jogyakarta, 15-20 July 2007
SUMMARY NOTES
Prologue
In collaboration with BKKBN, DAMANDIRI Foundation organized and hosted an international Observation Study Tour (OST on Mosque-based Community Empowerment through the POSDAYA Model. The OST had both international and national participants. The working language of the OST was English.
The background to this OST was that the POSDAYA as the new paradigm for empowering the family and the community towards enhancing their respective welfare ideals, was beginning to take roots, both in rural as well as urban communities. Considering that the Indonesian society has multitude facets, the POSDAYA could be patterned according to various societal life circles. One of those societal circle is the Mosques and the various activity patterns revolving around this religious institute. Hence, the inception of the Mosque-based POSDAYA. Having implemented this Mosque-based POSDAYA in different settings in Indonesia, DAMANDIRI Foundation felt confident that the emerging patterns of this type of POSDAYA could be shared widely to societies which have similar faith patterns. The sharing process was done through the Observation-Study Tours within the context of international and national training.
The plan to hold this OST was first introduced in the International Conference of Muslim Leaders in Support of the MDGs, in Bali, January 2007, and further conveyed to interested circles through other media that DAMANDIRI Foundation commands.
The following are summary notes containing the gists of materials presented and the discussions resulting from those, beginning from the arrival of participants to Jakarta to comments and dialogue recorded throughout the OST, culminating in the Closing Session in Jogyakarta on July 19, 2007.
The Participants
The OST hosted a total of 15 full time participants comprising 4 countries, i.e. Pakistan, China, Iran and Indonesia. The greater majority originated from Islamic institutions, i.e. State Islamic University of Jakarta, State Islamic University of Jogyakarta, the Ulama Council (MUI) at central and Jogyakarta province levels, Achmad Dahlan University in Jogyakarta, the Mosque Council at Jakarta, Muhammadiyah University at Jogyakarta. The affiliation of participants were mostly non-government officials, with the exception of Pakistan who assigned the Director General for Program Development of the Ministry for Population Welfare. The Indonesian Islamic institutions comprise mostly of lecturers and researchers.
On July 15, 2007 the international and national participants were welcomed by Dr Sugiri Syarief, Chairman of BKKBN at dinner at the Bidakara Hotel. Dr Sugiri Syarief was accompanied by Mr Imam Hariyadi, Deputy for Training and Program Development, and Mr Eddy Hasymi, Director for ITP. For most participants this was the first introduction to the national and international participants of the support and collaboration of BKKBN in the POSDAYA scheme of activities.
The Opening Session
On July 16, 2007 with a welcome address given by Dr Qodri Azizy, Principal Secretary of the Coordinating Minister of People’s Welfare, the OST was officially declared open. Dr Azizy also gave a lengthy presentation on the national policies relating to religious life and religion-oriented development, particularly from the Islamic perspectives.
Dr Sulastomo, Chairman of the YAMP (Yayasan Amal Bakti Muslim Pancasila) gave a through relate on the construction and establishment of Masjids in Indonesia. He mentioned that YAMP has the target is to built 999 Masjids by the end of 2010 throughout the country. At the moment it has already finished 960.
Professor Dr Haryono Suyono briefed the OST on the philosophy and underlying thoughts of the POSDAYA paradigm. He also related the vast network of this paradigm which is now in place in more than 100 districts, mainly in Java-Bali and some parts of Sumatra. He also elaborated the challenges and the opportunities for the future.
At the end of the Day 1 participants travelled to Jogyakarta.
Dialogue with Muslim Leaders in Jogyakarta
On July 17, at the Islamic State University ôSunan Kalijagaö the OST was graced with the official welcome address by Prof Dr Amien Abdullah, the Chancellor of the State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga of Jogyakarta. He elaborated that Community Development is an integral part of the UniversityÆs mission to apply academic ideals to real life at the grass roots.
Dr Fatimah Hussein led the discussions for the first part of the Dialogue with Muslim and Islamic leaders in Jogyakarta. Presentations included the principles, the mission and specific programs of the Majlis Ulama of Jogyakarta, the Dewan Masjid of Jogyakarta, and experiences of faculty members of UIN Sunan Kalijaga.
A preliminary summary is that the whole day discussions were open, vigorous and thorough. All the participants contributed and made their significant comments, thus enhancing the high quality of sharing of ideas and experience.
The afternoon part of the Dialogue at UIN Sunan Kalijaga heard the presentation of Pak Avi and Pak Soleh, both from TATANG NANA Foundation, and of Pak Mazwar Noerdin of DAMANDIRI Foundation. This session was led by Pudjo Rahardjo of DAMANDIRI Foundation. The discussion was enthusiastic and candid that additional time was required.
The Field Observations at Bantul and Sleman Districts
The OST made site observation and dialogue at two Masjids, i.e. Masjid Jamal at Bantul District in the morning, and Masjid Baiturrahman at Sleman in the afternoon. At both locations the OST was welcomed with warm hospitality and given real-life demonstration of their POSDAYA activities.
At Bantul the demonstration included and Elderly Fitness Program, the commitment of Donaters of the Masjid-based POSDAYA, the Posyandu and Income Generation of Masjid community members. Also shown was children of the TPA (Special Religious Education) who are of the 6-12 years age bracket.
At Sleman, the OST was shown the full spectrum of activities of a comprehensive POSDAYA, which included Health, Education and Economic activities of the community and families. Among other things the OST went to observe a meeting of the local cooperative with their savings & loan scheme, and the local farm with cow breeding activities.
Bapak Subiakto Tjakrawerdaya joined the OST at this Masjid with its most encouraging POSDAYA activities, and gave his impressions to those attending.
Trip to the Borobudur Temple,
The Closing Session, Live TVRI Program ôthe Ivory Archö
The OST spent the first half of the day to visit a place of worship of other denomination, i.e. the Borobudur Temple, place of worship for the Hindu religion.
The afternoon was spent for a summing-up and closing session. The participants expressed their appreciation to the organizers for having organized the OST which to all was a significant learning experience. Many have not been exposed to such a novel venture, which the POSDAYA is. POSDAYA is a much awaited and welcome change, and exactly what the people needs today.
Thoughts were also expressed concerning the use of the term ôMosqueö which was deliberated upon during day 2. The term ômosqueö may have had a negative meaning, yet today it is already accepted widely, even by Muslims, and hence would not warrant to be debated upon, and possibly change that to ômasjidö.
ChinaÆs participants expressed their remark at having met all levels of policy decision-makers, from Day 1 to Muslim scholars and provincial decision-makers on Day 2, ant finally percolating to field level implementers and beneficiaries at, and surrounding, the masjids. ChinaÆs participants noted the consistency and commitment throughout. He expressed his intention to adapt the Indonesian model to China.
PakistanÆs participant expressed his opinion that POSDAYA manifests the true spirit of Islam, the true face of Islam, and the true nature of Islam as the religion of peace and prosperity; contrary to the present propaganda that Islam advocates and instigates violence. In this regard he will endeavor to adapt the POSDAYA model to Pakistan.
At the end of the session the Closing Address was given by Bapak Subiakto Tjakrawerdaya.
In the evening the OST participated in the live TVRI programme, the ôPlengkung Gadingö, which is a regular monthly live TV broadcast from Jogyakarta. The theme of the broadcast was ôOST on Masjid-based POSDAYAö.
Important to note is that the full report of the OST will be uploaded and available for all concerned at the web site of Damandiri Foundation, www.gemari.or.id/english.
The TVRI program concluded the OST.
Jogyakarta, July 19, 2007 |
