On December 7, 1990, the Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals Association (ICMI) was officially established. At the same time, a single leadership was approved and BJ Habibie was elected as the first Chairman of ICMI. From the beginning of its formation during the Orba era, ICMI’s work was felt in its social and political activities.
In fact, on 4 January 1993 the organization succeeded in publishing the daily newspaper Republika. The name of this newspaper was suggested by President Soeharto when ICMI officials went to him to ask for his blessing to establish a newspaper. Initially, the newspaper was called Republik, but the president suggested that it be called Republika.
The initial publication immediately received extraordinary public response. And to increase the circulation of the newspaper and efforts to attract public interest in buying shares in April 1993 at the Kridosono Stadium in Yogyakarta, a promotion was held which was attended by the first Chairman / Editor of Republika Parni Hadi, then Dai Sejuta Umat, the late Zainuddin MZ and Dangdut King H. Rhoma Irama. Since then, the circulation has continued to increase and has even reached more than 200 thousand copies per issue. Making Republika newspaper the second largest circulation newspaper in Indonesia.
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After the Tabligh Akbar event, there was a small meeting between the leadership of Republika and Corps Dakwah Pedesaan (CDP). And CDP is a non-profit organization initiated by UGM students to help the poor in Gunung Kidul by setting aside students’ pocket money. Moved by this idea, this newspaper then looked for ways to raise funds from the community to help alleviate poverty. The first donor was published on the first page of the July 2, 1993 edition.
July 2, 1993 was set as the birth date of Dompet Dhuafa. After one year, the Editorial Secretary of Republika, Ari Sudewo, who was given the task of managing Dompet Dhuafa, proposed to the General Editor / Chief Editor, Parni Hadi, that a foundation legal entity be formed with the aim of easy management.
To strengthen the legality of Dompet Dhuafa, a legal entity was formed under the name Yayasan Dompet Dhuafa Republika (DD) with a notarial deed dated September 14, 1994. This non-profit organization is dedicated to raising the social dignity of the poor with Ziswaf funds (Zakat, Infaq, Sadaqah, Waqf, and other social funds) with the initiators of Republika journalists, namely Parni Hadi, Haidar Bagir, S. Sinansari Ecip, and Eri Sudewo.
As a philanthropic organization, Dompet Dhuafa has five pillars of movement, namely Economy, Health, Education, Social, and Da’wah and Culture. Until now, Dompet Dhuafa continues to grow and even has 6 service offices, 31 domestic branches, and 5 overseas branches. Not only that, Dompet Dhuafa also developed 157 service zones in 32 provinces, and collaborated with 29 strategic partners in 21 countries.In the health sector alone, hospitals, polyclinics, laboratories, schools, and other services have been established. Likewise, economic empowerment of the poor is one of Dompet Dhuafa’s programs. In fact, Singolangu Milk Village can develop as it is today inseparable from Dompet Dhuafa’s assistance and intervention.
In the health sector alone, hospitals, polyclinics, laboratories, schools, and other services have been established. Likewise, economic empowerment of the poor is one of Dompet Dhuafa’s programs. In fact, Singolangu Milk Village can develop as it is today inseparable from Dompet Dhuafa’s assistance and intervention.
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On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, the Dompet Dhuafa board signed an MoU with the East Java Journalist Education Foundation (YPWJ) of which I am the Chairman. Signings are usually always packed with formal events. Not so when the MoU signing ceremony between Dompet Dhuafa and YPWJ. In the hands of Dompet Dhuafa’s initiator, Parni Hadi, the event was packed with cultural models.
The administrators of Dompet Dhuafa and YPWJ played a contemporary ketoprak with the play Ande-Ande Lumut. Of course, a fresh atmosphere and laughter always accompanied the performance. Moreover, Parni Hadi, who is also an artist, participated in playing the King of Jenggala and as a central character so that he was so passionate and skillful in his role in bringing the show to life. At the end of the story, the MoU was signed. Of course, the fresh and entertaining atmosphere while at the same time preserving the culture became the means by which the agreement was signed.
The MoU is intended to jointly advance education which is also a pillar of Dompet Dhuafa, considering that YPWJ also houses several educational institutions. Starting from the AWS Surabaya College of Communication (Stikosa), SMPK Prapanca I and II, Atma Widya High School and Junior High School. And many of the students who are educated at school institutions come from underprivileged backgrounds. For this reason, this collaboration was established.
The birth of Dompet Dhuafa and YPWJ cannot be separated from the role of journalists who manned the Republika newspaper, while YPWJ, which was born on March 18, 1964, was initiated by press figures in Surabaya who later gave birth to the Surabaya Journalist Academy on November 11, 1964. The foundation grew and later established a college and several high schools.
education is the key to the nation’s progress. I often say, “The poor will remain stupid, and the stupid will remain poor”. It is a vicious circle that has no clear end. The only effective way to break the chain of poverty is through education. Not then pampering by always giving (money). That is spoiling.
Dompet Dhuafa was born because it met Yogyakarta students who were concerned about poverty. And YPWJ through its educational institutions tries to provide a hook for disadvantaged children so that they can still get access to education for their future. It is God’s destiny when good people and good intentions meet, what is thought and done is always how to give hope to those who are less fortunate.
Written by Dr. Drs. Suprawoto, S.H., M.Si., Regent of Magetan Period 2018-2023