MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Women play a strategically important role in strengthening family bonds, creating a harmonious working environment and supporting organisational development. To fulfil these responsibilities, women should embrace spiritual values, maintain exemplary character and build relationships based on mutual respect and cooperation.
This message was delivered by Ustaz Damri Tambunan during a religious lecture at an Islamic gathering organised by the Family Welfare Empowerment Team (TP PKK) and the Regional National Crafts Council (Dekranasda) of North Sumatra Province. The event took place on Friday, 23 October 2026, at the Tengku Rizal Nurdin Hall, 41 Jalan Sudirman, Medan.
The gathering was held under the theme, 'The Role of Strong Women: Maintaining Worship and Faith, Leading a Blessed Life, and Balancing Responsibilities in the Family, Workplace and Organisations'. Through the event, the organisers sought to encourage women to strengthen their spiritual foundations, maintain harmony within their families and foster healthy relationships in society and organisations.
The event took place in a reflective atmosphere and opened with the recitation of verses from the Qur'an. Attendees included Kahiyang Ayu, Chairwoman of
TP PKK North Sumatra; Titiek Sugiharti, First Expert of
TP PKK North Sumatra; Boya Yanti Gultom, Chairwoman of the Association of Dharma Wanita (DWP) in North Sumatra; and representatives of TP PKK and DWP from various parts of the province.
Women as the Foundation of Strong Families
In his lecture, Damri emphasised that women make a substantial contribution to shaping family character while also influencing the development of society. Their role extends beyond their responsibilities as wives and mothers to include involvement in social activities, professional life and organisations.
He explained that women could make a significant contribution to national progress by educating future generations, preserving moral values and creating a loving and peaceful family environment.
'Women were created from the left rib of men. Women are stronger than men. Without women, a nation and a state cannot progress,' he said.
Damri also highlighted the importance of building harmonious family relationships through a sense of responsibility, loyalty and mutual trust. In his view, a wife plays an important role in creating a sense of security within the family. At the same time, she should stand alongside her husband as a partner in overcoming problems and making decisions.
'That is why a wife also has a responsibility to protect the honour of the family. A wife should be obedient and respectful towards her husband. She should protect her husband's good name and her own dignity, and manage the responsibilities and assets entrusted to her responsibly when her husband is away from home,' he explained.
The message underlined the importance of trust in family life. A harmonious family requires commitment and a sense of responsibility from every member to create a safe and comfortable environment that supports children's development.
In modern life, women also take on numerous responsibilities outside the home. Spiritual and moral values therefore provide an important foundation for balancing family obligations with professional commitments and social activities.
EXEMPLARY CHARACTER AS THE FOUNDATION OF HARMONY: Ustaz Damri Tambunan highlights the importance of maintaining good character, avoiding unfounded suspicions and respecting others in family life and within organisations. (PHOTO: YT Hariono)
Exemplary Character as a Guiding Principle for Organisations
Alongside the importance of family stability, Damri reminded participants to demonstrate exemplary character in professional settings and within organisations. He said interpersonal relationships should be based on mutual respect, responsible communication and a commitment to avoiding behaviour that could undermine other people's trust.
He stressed that good character was one of the central messages of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). These values should be practised in everyday life, particularly when people face differing opinions, competitive situations or disputes over positions and responsibilities.
Damri also referred to verse 12 of Surah Al-Hujurat, which warns Muslims against harbouring unfounded suspicions, searching for other people's faults and backbiting. The verse urges believers to respect the dignity of others, exercise self-restraint and strengthen their devotion to Allah, the Almighty.
Within organisations, these values can guide constructive communication and help prevent unnecessary disputes. Every member should understand that organisational success depends not only on individual abilities but also on everyone's willingness to cooperate and recognise the contributions of others.
Good character also helps create a more productive working environment. When members of an organisation respect one another and prioritise shared interests, they can carry out their responsibilities more effectively and preserve the trust on which long-term organisational work depends.
COOPERATION MATTERS MORE THAN HOLDING OFFICE: Ustaz Damri Tambunan urges members of women's organisations to work together constructively and avoid unhealthy competition in pursuit of shared goals. (PHOTO: YT Hariono)
Cooperation Matters More Than the Pursuit of Positions
Damri issued a particularly strong warning against using positions or official appointments as reasons to harm others. Unhealthy competition, he explained, could damage personal relationships, obstruct cooperation and distract people from an organisation's core objectives.
He urged women involved in various organisations to strengthen their sense of community, improve communication and build a cooperative culture in which members support one another. In his view, everyone has a distinct role and responsibility that must be respected if shared goals are to be achieved.
'Do not fight one another just to obtain a position. Positions are only temporary. Build good cooperation. An organisation is like a bicycle: every individual component contributes to making it work smoothly,' he said in closing.
Through this analogy, Damri illustrated how an organisation relies on the contributions of all its members to move towards a common goal. Each component has its own function, but only when all the parts work together harmoniously can the entire system operate effectively.
The message is particularly relevant to women's organisations, which implement a range of programmes to strengthen families, organise social activities, develop practical skills and preserve regional handicraft traditions. Constructive cooperation can improve the implementation of these programmes while extending their benefits to the wider community.
The religious gathering organised by TP PKK and Dekranasda North Sumatra provided an opportunity to strengthen social relationships while highlighting the importance of balancing worship, family life and organisational responsibilities. By strengthening spiritual values and demonstrating exemplary character, women are encouraged to help build resilient families, harmonious working environments and organisations that place cooperation and the common good at the heart of their activities. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala