As part of the "Religions and Climate Change: Southeast Asia" conference organized by the Muslim Council of Elders, a session titled "Toward Green Theology: How Religious Beliefs Build Awareness of Environmental Conservation" was held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The session was moderated by Vivi Alatas, the Chief Executive Officer at Asakreatvita and Senior Economist at the World Bank Office in Jakarta.
During the session, His Excellency Datuk Dr. Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, a member of the Muslim Council of Elders and former Minister of Religious Affairs in Malaysia, provided a detailed explanation of the concept of "Green Theology."
He clarified that it is a belief framework based on spiritual and religious values aimed at enhancing environmental awareness. He emphasized that climate challenges are among the most critical issues facing humanity in the 21st century.
Al-Bakri affirmed the pivotal role that religion can play in addressing these challenges, thanks to its ethical authority and profound impact on billions of people.
Dr. Tee Boon Chuan, a Professor in the Institute of Chinese Studies at Universiti Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Malaysia and a member of the International Confucian Association in China, spoke about the importance of collective cooperation in tackling climate problems.
He asserted that the solution lies not only in individual behavior but also requires concerted efforts from individuals, governments, religious and spiritual institutions, along with business entities, to achieve effective results in mitigating the impacts of climate change.
For his part, Dr. Sobhita, President of Kyonhla Buddhist University in Myanmar and recipient of the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Prize in 2020, emphasized the importance of considering the transformations needed in economic and social systems to promote cooperation for nature conservation.
He pointed out the significant role that culture and religion can play in confronting environmental challenges.
Hajj Zulfa Mustofa, Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama in Indonesia, highlighted the importance of developing jurisprudential studies related to the environment, especially those addressing the excessive use of natural resources and encroachment upon nature.
In conclusion, Dr. Naziruddin Mohd Nasir, the Mufti of the Republic of Singapore, explained that the principles and religious teachings of various faiths strongly encourage environmental protection.
He emphasized the belief that all living beings have the right to existence and life and that religion calls for the responsible use of natural resources.
The session was part of the "Religions and Climate Change: Southeast Asia" conference organized by the Muslim Council of Elders in preparation for the Global Summit of Religious Leaders and Icons, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi in November.
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