Sarekat Islam


Sarekat Islam, formerly Islamists Trade Union, was a cooperative of Javanese batik traders in the Dutch East Indies and a predecessor of independent Indonesia. The group was founded by Haji Samanhudi, a dealer of batik, in 1905 in Surakarta or 1912. Sarekat Dagang Islam, or Union of Islamic Traders, had as its goal the empowerment of local merchants, especially in the batik industry. The establishment of the organization was inspired by the Jamiat Kheir organization.
As Sarekat Dagang Islam grew, it was reorganized under the name Sarekat Islam. Sarekat Islam's general office was in Surabaya. Early prominent figures of Sarekat Islam included H.O.S. Cokroaminoto and Haji Agus Salim. H.O.S. Cokroaminoto had three famous students, who went on to play a dominant role in Indonesian politics: Sukarno the nationalist, Semaun the socialist and Islamist Kartosuwirjo. Haji Agus Salim joined Sarekat Islam in 1915 and promoted Islamic modernism. Some of Salim's students such as Kasman Singodimedjo, Mohammad Roem and Mohammad Natsir later became prominent Islamic and Nationalist leaders.
Goal and orientation
Goal - initial: to raise cooperation level of indigenous batik businessman.
Goal - later:
1. Raise the educational and health level of various indigenous people.
2. Raise the political awareness of various indigenous people.
Orientation: first business, later mostly political. They are active as political Islamic movement.
Demise:
After Indonesia gained recognition of their Independence, the limit of people's politic is dissolved. Their members and supporters moved to join new political organisations.