Fakih Usman

Who is Fakih Usman?

Kyai Hajji Fakih Usman was an Indonesian Islamic leader and politician with the Masyumi Party. He served as Minister of Religious Affairs on two occasions, first under the Halim Cabinet in the State of the Republic of Indonesia in 1950, then in the Republic of Indonesia during the Wilopo Cabinet from 1952 to 1953. In his early years Fakih was criticised by conservative Muslims for his involvement with the modernist Islamic organisation Muhammadiyah, but today remains warmly remembered by the organisation.

Born to a merchant and his wife in Gresik, Dutch East Indies, Fakih studied with his father and at a series of pesantren until the 1920s. In 1925 he became involved with Muhammadiyah, rising quickly through the leadership until he became the head of the Surabaya branch in 1938; he was also active in local politics. When a group of Islamic organisations formed the Indonesian Islamic Assembly in 1937, Fakih became treasurer. He continued to be involved in these Islamic groups and politics during the Japanese occupation and ensuing national revolution. He grew in prominence within Muhammadiyah during his two periods as minister of religious affairs and oversaw educational and institutional reform. He served as deputy chairman under several different leaders before being chosen as chairman of Muhammadiyah in late 1968, several days before his death.