London – The Special Branch Leadership of Muhammadiyah (PCIM) of the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland has carved new history by formally becoming a member of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB). This achievement marks PCIM UK as the first, and only, organisation from Indonesia to enter this largest Muslim umbrella institution in the UK.

This good news was confirmed via an official email from the MCB received on 21 July 2026. Prior to this, PCIM UK had passed a series of verification stages since June, including intensive meetings and discussions with The East London Mosque, which is one of the MCB's largest partners.

For information, the MCB is an independent body that oversees more than 500 institutions, ranging from mosques, educational bodies, charities, to Muslim professional organisations across the UK. The MCB's primary focus is public advocacy, representing the voice of local Muslims, and campaigning on various religious, social, and humanitarian issues.

Until now, MCB membership has been dominated by the South Asian Muslim diaspora, such as those from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Therefore, Muhammadiyah's presence in the MCB not only brings a new flavour but also becomes a global answer to Indonesia's existence as the world's country with the largest Muslim population.

Recognition of Muhammadiyah's Mission

Ince Dian, Chairman of the PCIM UK & Ireland, expressed deep gratitude for this special achievement. He emphasised that membership in the MCB is not merely a formal status but a tangible recognition from the British Muslim community regarding Muhammadiyah's presence and mission.

“This is indeed a doorway for us to contribute more broadly. For Muhammadiyah, this solidifies that we can network and be accepted in the global Islamic arena. We are also very confident that the Wasathiyah values we bring have a place to become important topics of discussion, for both global Muslims and the Muslim community in the UK,” Dian stated on Tuesday (28 July).

Seven Strategic Benefits of MCB Membership for PCIM UK

Furthermore, Dian outlined seven concrete benefits that PCIM UK & Ireland will gain through this membership, simultaneously bringing Muhammadiyah into wider interfaith and societal diplomacy in the UK:

  1. Legitimacy and Public Recognition: Enhancing the institutional credibility of PCIM in the eyes of the public, media, and the local Muslim community in the UK. “This is very meaningful for a diaspora organisation that is relatively new in the UK,” said Dian.

  2. Networking Expansion: Opening opportunities for programme partnerships, collaboration, and resource sharing with over 500 Muslim entities in the UK that were previously difficult to reach independently.

  3. National Issue Involvement: Providing a channel for PCIM to voice the community’s interests in policy issues, such as discrimination, freedom of worship, and religious education.

  4. Organisational Capacity Development: Gaining access to various training, governance guides, media support, and forums from the MCB which are very useful for maturing PCIM’s internal management.

  5. Increased Visibility (Platform): PCIM's activities will gain a wider preaching stage through MCB channels, strengthening the mission to introduce the concept of Advancing Islam to cross-community audiences.

  6. Community Diplomacy Bridge: Positioning PCIM as a bridge-builder between Indonesian Muslims and the UK to strengthen brotherhood and elevate the name of Muhammadiyah on the international stage.

  7. Interfaith and Humanitarian Partnership: Easing PCIM's ability to actively engage in interfaith dialogue initiatives, joint humanitarian actions, and large-scale social activities in the UK.

With these various benefits, Dian hopes this achievement will also open the way for participation by other Indonesian Islamic organisations in the UK.“Whilst we are currently the only ones combined in the English Muslim Council, we are very open and willing to help friends from other Indonesian Muslim organisations in the UK who want to process so they can also be accepted in the MCB,” he emphasised.

The joining of PCIM of the United Kingdom & Ireland into the MCB is a milestone in Muhammadiyah’s journey of internationalisation. Through collaboration, dialogue, and real community work that is wider, Muhammadiyah is expected to continue to contribute in building a global society that is inclusive, peaceful, and civilised.