Minister encourages social transformation in Islamic new year

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar reminded Muslims to commemorate the Islamic New Year of 1 Muharram 1448 Hijriah as a momentum for personal and social transformation.

"Hijrah is not just the Prophet Muhammad's physical migration from Mecca to Medina. It is a transformation of the social system, from a narrow and primordial tribal society to a global, cosmopolitan community bound by love," he remarked on Tuesday.

He then explained that hijrah is a shift in perspective from a tribal mentality to an inclusive, civilized, and oriented community life for the common good.

According to him, pre-Islamic Arab society was characterized by strong tribal loyalties rooted in kinship. The arrival of Prophet Muhammad brought the concept of the ummah, fostering a sense of community that went beyond tribal, racial, and class distinctions.

Umar then outlined fundamental differences between various forms of social communities, where a clan is built on blood ties, a sya'abun is based on extended family ties, a qawmun is formed through social agreements and organizations, while a hizbun refers to a political group or party.

The ummah is a community united by four elements: compassion, a vision for the future, authoritative leadership, and a polite and obedient society, within a single leadership system called the imamah.

"If these four elements exist in one community, then it is worthy of being called an ummah," the minister noted.

He also invited Muslims to reflect on the current state of social life.

"The question is, can Indonesian Muslim society be called an ummah? Or are we still trapped in the mentality of clans, hizbun, regionalism, and individual groups?" he continued.

He noted that a society still shaped by clan-based thinking tends to restrict leadership opportunities to members of certain groups, limiting access for outsiders.

On the other hand, in a Muslim society, the opportunity to lead is open to anyone with the capacity and earns the trust of the community, regardless of ethnic background or gender, Umar stated.

However, the minister emphasized that openness alone is insufficient. He said unity, social cohesion, and care for others must continue to be strengthened to build a resilient society.

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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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