Writing Room

  Universities have a big role in educating students to understand the meaning and the teachings of sustaining sustainable development. Therefore, there are few ways to teach and educate the students.  One of the obvious way is through education as it is an effective way. Through this education that has its advantages, students are able to develop many learning skills which are learning to know (general knowledge & understanding), learning to do (skills, competence, practical ability in a variety of settings), learning to live together (tolerance, mutual understanding, interdependence), learning to be (responsibility, memory, ethics, communication, physical capacity) and the last one is learning to become.  This learning skills are interrelated with each other to develop a student that is learning for sustainability. This is also related with Malaysia national education philosophy that is stated on the picture below. The next way is through conducting research for the students. Th

  Sejahtera is an indigenous concept in the Malay Archipelago. It means  balanced well-being, prosperity, peace, and also tranquility.  Sejahtera has a deeper meaning although it is often allied with well-being and prosperity.  In fact, it is beyond it.  Prosperity encompasses human relationships internally and externally.  The relationship includes the external environment which is with nature, human beings, including other species meanwhile internal relationships embrace humans with their inner self including spiritual consciousness, and the Creator. This interrelationship explains the real meaning of Sejahtera as a balanced and harmonious way of life.  There are a few other concepts by other countries which bring the same meaning as Sejahtera such as Ikigai, Lagom, and Hugge. For example, I kigai means the purpose for representing value, wellbeing and to live a moderate life. Lagom is 'just the right amount' which brings the meaning of adequate - as a guide to a sustainable

  WHAT IS MAQASID AL-SHARIAH? Maqasid al-Shariah is to enhancing the welfare or benefit (maslahah) of the people on one hand and preventing harm (mafsadah) on the other of a human well being.  The objective of Maqasid al-Shariah is to promote and protect the well-being of people and nature which has five fundamental objectives which are: These objectives have great resemblances to United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). As we can see from SDGs 17 goals, there are no goals from religious aspects but most goals are aligned with the spirit of Islamic law.  There is also compatibility between the 5Ps of the SDGs and Maqasid al-Shariah which are people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership. LIFE = PEACE Islam is a religion of peace that taught us to make peace with other people and create a peaceful environment. People who are live in a life which is threatened by terrorism, conflict, violation of human rights need to be help so that they could live a peaceful and mea

  Sustainable development is not a new concept to Islam and Muslims as the Quran and hadith have mentioned the environmental matter and guidance on how to deal with it. There are three categories related to Islam and sustainable development which are Islam and social, environmental, and economic sustainability and it is interrelated with each other.      Islam and Social Sustainability.     Islam has taught Muslims to treat other people nicely and equally. People should not discriminate against others based on their background. Islam has also encouraged people to practice the concept of ukhuwwah (brotherhood). Violence or threats are strictly forbidden in Islam because it can encourage strife and division while Islam advocates peace.  Islam and Environmental Sustainability.     Islam has taught Muslims to take care and have a responsibility to our nature and environment as we are the Khalifah in this world. Every individual should not be greedy in using our natural resources excessivel

  Sustainable Development? What do you understand about this topic? Firstly, let me explain from my own understanding and thoughts. Sustainable development is an idea and principle on how to manage the needs of the current generation without affecting the needs of our future generations. Sustainable development also includes the preservation and conservation of the environment without being destroyed by modern development which includes  the interrelationship between society, economy, and environment.   What I meant is each country should be aware of the significance of the natural environment. As we know, America is a very modern developing country but it has 4% of forests that still exist meanwhile over 96% of it has been cut down.  Th is matter is a great concern and has been deviating from the principles and goal of sustainable development. Therefore, all countries including the developed, developing, and undeveloped are responsible for maintaining and taking care of our environmen