Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) distributed 250 food packages to the clerics, elementary school employees, Muhammadiyah Early Childhood Education (PAUD) and mosque attendants in the Kasihan and Gampings District on Friday (8/5) at UMY. In order to obtain valid information, UMY has collaborated with the Heads of the Gamping and Kasihan Muhammadiyah Branches (PCM) to search for data of the recipients of basic food packages.

According to UMY Rector Dr. Ir. Gunawan Budiyanto, M.P, IPM, educators in the informal sector also need attention from various parties. Many of them do not have side jobs to make a living. This assistance is expected to ease their existing burden. Gunawan also mentioned educators and religious teachers as being at the front lines to provide education for the community.

“The Clerics are part of the people working at the frontline. Their challenges are also greater, so we must assist them in order to strengthen the missionary path, “he said while making a symbolic gesture to hand the packages.

On the same occasion, the Head of UMY Research, Publication and Community Service Institute (LP3M) Dr. Ir. Gatot Supangkat, M.P, added, Muhammadiyah is a movement that preaches amar ma’ruf nahi munkar (stand up for good, abolish evil). Of course, the clerics play a central role in this. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly also had an impact on the performance and welfare of the clerics, especially those who do not have odd jobs. UMY saw this condition and decided that mutual awareness to share must be built.

Gatot also explained that the UMY Serves program is a part of the Lecturers Serve program. The Lecturers Serve program is an initiative that uses part of the research and public service funds of each lecturer to be transferred to various COVID-19 pandemic management programs.

“We all feel the consequences of COVID-19, so we also have to kelp each other. Muhammadiyah is a da’wah movement, so our clerics play a central role in this,” he said. (Ak)