Muhammadiyah Initiates Eco Bhinneka Program to Promote Interfaith Harmony and Environmental Conservation.

Muhammadiyah has initiated a program called “Eco Bhinneka” which aims to foster harmony among different faiths by inviting them to work together to preserve the environment. The program is supported by the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA), a consortium of faith-based and interfaith organizations working to promote freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in seven countries: Ethiopia, Iraq, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Uganda, and Indonesia.

Program Objectives and Activities

Eco Bhinneka seeks to build a peaceful and just society where everyone can enjoy the freedom to practice their religion and beliefs. The program specifically targets youth and women from various religious backgrounds to raise awareness and knowledge about the importance of interfaith cooperation in preventing the climate crisis and environmental degradation.

The program is implemented through three approaches:

• Intra-religious: Activities within each faith community, such as training, workshops, and forming forums or groups.
• Inter-religious: Activities with other faith communities, such as joint actions and publications.
• Extra-religious: Activities with non-religious actors, such as government and the general public.

Program Implementation and Impact

Eco Bhinneka is currently being implemented in four regions: Pontianak (West Kalimantan), Ternate (North Maluku), Surakarta (Central Java), and Banyuwangi (East Java). The Muhammadiyah-affiliated women’s youth organization, Nasyiatul Aisyiyah, is a partner in the implementation of the program in Surakarta and Banyuwangi.

The program has made significant progress in promoting interfaith harmony and environmental conservation. It has brought together people from different faiths to work together on common goals, and has raised awareness about the importance of protecting the environment.

For more information about the Eco Bhinneka program, please visit the following websites and social media accounts:

• Website: ecobhinnekamuhammadiyah.org
• Instagram:
  • @ecobhinneka
  • @ecobhinneka.kalbar
  • @ecobhinneka_solo
  • @ecobhinneka.banyuwangi