Muslim Students' Association (Indonesia)

The Muslim Students' Association (Indonesian: Himpunan Mahasiswa Islam, literally "Islamic Students' Association", abbreviated as HMI) is an Indonesian Muslim student organization. HMI is an independent organization with the objective of "connecting academics, creators – servants of Islam, and taking responsibility for creating a just people blessed by Allah".

HMI was founded in Yogyakarta on 5 February 1947 at the initiative of Lafran Pane with 14 students from the Institute of Islam in Yogyakarta (Indonesian: Sekolah Tinggi Islam Yogyakarta),^[1] currently Indonesian Islamic University.

HMI was established during the early years of Indonesian independence, when student activism played a central role in intellectual and political discourse. The organization was formed to create a forum for Muslim students to strengthen their intellectual capacity, promote Islamic values, and participate in national development.

Initially centered in Yogyakarta, HMI gradually expanded to other cities as Indonesian universities grew. In its early period, the organization quickly formed additional branches and established a national leadership structure to coordinate student activities across regions.

Over the decades, HMI has been involved in various student movements, intellectual discussions, and social initiatives, contributing to Indonesia’s broader student activism landscape.

HMI operates through a multi-tier organizational hierarchy designed to coordinate student activities from the national level down to individual campuses.

At the national level, the organization is led by the Pengurus Besar (PB) HMI, which functions as the central governing body. The PB coordinates policies, national programs, and organizational direction.^[2]

Below the national leadership are Badan Koordinasi (BADKO) units, which manage coordination across several provinces or regional clusters.^[2]

At the city or regency level, HMI operates through Pengurus Cabang (PC), commonly referred to as HMI Cabang. These branches coordinate activities across universities within a specific geographic area.^[2]

Within universities, the organization operates through Komisariat, which serve as faculty- or university-based chapters. These units are typically the primary entry point for students joining HMI and are responsible for recruitment, training, and campus-level programs. ^[2]

This layered structure enables HMI to function as a university-centered movement, where campus units carry out local initiatives while remaining connected to a national organizational framework.

HMI’s operational model is often described as a campus-based or university-centered movement. Under this model, the organization’s core activities occur at the university level through faculty-based chapters.

Each university or faculty may host one or more HMI komisariat, which organize discussions, leadership training, social programs, and student advocacy initiatives. These local units are connected to the broader national organization through their respective city branches.

This decentralized structure allows HMI to adapt its activities to local campus contexts while maintaining shared ideological and organizational principles across the country.

HMI chapters exist in numerous universities across Indonesia, including public and private institutions. Faculty-level chapters often play a role in student intellectual activities, leadership training, and discussions related to social issues.

The city of Malang, home to several major universities including Universitas Brawijaya, is known for its active student movement environment. Within this context, HMI has developed multiple faculty-based chapters.

Some of the notable chapters within Universitas Brawijaya include:

• HMI FISIP UB, led by Muhammad Rafi Haykal, former BEM FISIP UB President.
• HMI FEB UB, led by Devangga Ajiansyah, former House of Student Representatives member.
• HMI FK UB, led by Muhammad Raynan Rizky Akbar, an Indonesian student activist.^[3][4]

These faculty-based units operate under the coordination of the local HMI branch and contribute to the broader student movement environment in Malang through academic discussions, social programs, and organizational activities.

Typical activities conducted by HMI chapters include:

• Student leadership training and cadre development
• Academic discussions and intellectual forums
• Social and community service initiatives
• Advocacy and student movement activities

The organization emphasizes intellectual development and leadership training as core elements of its cadre system.

• Official website of HMI national committee