MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, SURABAYA – Muhammadiyah calls for a collective effort to promote environmental sustainability and interfaith harmony. It is crucial to integrate these issues into all aspects of life.
In his keynote speech on “The Role of Religious Leaders and Communities in Fostering Harmony and Environmental Preservation”, Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Syafiq A. Mughni emphasized that environmental issues are not merely technical problems but are deeply intertwined with religious teachings and values.
“Da’wa is not only about conveying religious teachings, but also about how we live in harmony with the environment and our fellow human beings,” said Syafiq in the Annual Meeting, Monitoring, and Evaluation of Eco-Bhinneka Muhammadiyah in Surabaya on Sunday, October 13.
He further stressed the importance of understanding and respecting different faiths as a cornerstone of tolerance.
“Respecting other people’s beliefs does not mean compromising our own. Every belief deserves respect,” he added, citing the Quranic verse ‘lakum dinukum waliyadin’ (For you is your religion, and for me is my religion).
Muhammadiyah, Syafiq explained, is committed to promoting these values through persuasion rather than coercion.
“We want people to change for the better because they understand the importance of these issues, not because they are forced to,” he said.
Syafiq called for increased awareness among the public, religious leaders, and policymakers about the urgency of environmental issues.
“Let’s discuss environmental issues in places of worship and see how many people talk about it. This is a crucial step in building collective awareness and a more sustainable future,” he said.
With this commitment and collaborative spirit, Muhammadiyah is confident that initiatives like Eco Bhinneka will continue to grow and contribute to a more sustainable and harmonious world.
