Between transnational commitment and domestic ambiguity : the evolution of Muhammadiyah’s humanitarianism for Palestine

Abstract

The ongoing conflict in Palestine is one of the most prolonged conflicts in the modern world. Many parties are concerned about this issue, including Muhammadiyah, an Islamic organisation in Indonesia. This organisation's support for Palestine has been relatively consistent, from the beginning of the conflict in the mid-20th century to the present day. This research aims to answer how Muhammadiyah's support has evolved and what historical dynamics have shaped the evolution of Muhammadiyah's support from its founding to the present day, using a historical analysis, media reports, and organizational documents to delve into the evolution of Muhammadiyah's support over time. This paper argues that before the 2000s, support for Palestine was dominated by the figures of two Muhammadiyah elites: Abdul Kahar Muzakkir and Lukman Harun. These two figures consistently dominated Muhammadiyah discourse on Palestine. Meanwhile, after the 2000s, when Lazismu was established in 2002, followed by various bureaus within Muhammadiyah, such as MDMC (Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center), LHKI (Lembaga Hubungan dan Kerjasama Internasional, Council of International Relations and Cooperation), and Muhammadiyah Aid, the role of figures began to fade and was replaced by institutional roles. However, during that era, Muhammadiyah also faced a dilemma, as its credibility domestically began to be questioned, while it remained consistent in foreign affairs. Based on Robert D. Sack's territoriality theory, Muhammadiyah distinguishes between transnational activism and domestic politics, navigating both with selective moral engagement. The organisation consistently supported Palestine as a symbolic "safe space" for its struggle. Conversely, it viewed domestic politics as "high-risk territories" controlled by the state. Therefore, the organisation chose to accept the state's “subjugation”. If Muhammadiyah were to take a critical stance domestically, including rejecting the coal mining offer, the organisation feared political backlash.