Ma Kalshomah Ismail

Date: 25 March 2025 Course: SCSH1201-Sustainable Development: Issues, Principles and Practices Section: 4      Week 4 focused on the global effort towards sustainability, especially through international agreements and conventions. Before this, I had limited knowledge of how governments and international organizations collaborate to address global challenges. I learned that these conferences provided structured action plans like Agenda 21 and introduced key principles such as “common but differentiated responsibility”, especially important for developing countries like Malaysia.      What stood out to me was the commitment and negotiation process among developed and developing nations. I realized that while global agreements are essential, their success depends on local action and awareness, starting from institutions like IIUM and individuals like myself.      I also understood that civil society plays a vital role. As a student, I am part o...

Date: 18 March 2025 Course: SCSH1201-Sustainable Development: Issues, Principles and Practices Section: 4      During Week 3, I was introduced to the foundational concepts of sustainability from the Islamic worldview, particularly through the Maqasid al-Shariah framework. This topic resonated deeply with me because it links my faith with responsibility towards the environment and society.      As an IIUM student, I felt proud and spiritually connected when learning that Islamic teachings have always emphasized the protection of five essentials: life, intellect, faith, lineage, and wealth. These core elements are directly aligned with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which shows how timeless and universal Islamic principles are.      One key realization I had was the idea that development in Islam is endogenously sustainable. For example, protecting life includes safeguarding the environment, health, and peaceful living conditi...

Date: 11 March 2025 Course: SCSH1201-Sustainable Development: Issues, Principles and Practices Section: 4      In Week 2 of the Sustainable Development course, we explored the relationship between Islam, Maqasid al-Shariah, and sustainable development. This topic was especially meaningful to me as a Muslim student because it provided a spiritual and ethical foundation for understanding sustainability, which often seems dominated by Western frameworks. I learned that Islam views sustainability as a key component of faith, rooted in the concept of Tawhid and our role as Khalifah, or stewards of the Earth. It became clear to me that sustainable development in Islam is not limited to environmental issues but encompasses social well-being, economic justice, and spiritual purpose.      The lecture explained the three main dimensions of sustainability in Islam: social, environmental, and economic. Each of these dimensions is deeply supported by Quranic teachings a...