Eco-Theology Takes Centre Stage in Islamic Outreach : YADIM and UIN Bukittinggi Forge Cross-Border Partnership

Rabu, Juli 15, 2026

PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA – As climate change and environmental degradation intensify, Islamic outreach should embrace a broader perspective that addresses not only humanity's relationship with God but also its responsibility towards the natural world, representatives from Yayasan Dakwah Islam Malaysia (YADIM) /Malaysia's Islamic Propagation Foundation  and University Islam Negeri (UIN) Sjech M.Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi ( Sjech M. Djamil Djambek State Islamic University of Bukittinggi) said during a meeting on Monday (July 14). The discussion reflects growing regional interest in faith-based responses to environmental challenges. 

Choked waterways: Plastic waste floating in a river, highlighting the growing threat of pollution to freshwater ecosystem. (Photo: Beritaagar)

Both institutions agreed that environmental stewardship is not merely a development agenda but an integral part of Islam's religious mission. Through the lens of eco-theology, nature is regarded as a trust from Allah that must be protected, while humanity bears the responsibility, as khalifah (stewards), to preserve the balance of His creation.

The UIN Bukittinggi delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Syafwan Rozi, Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Adab and Da'wah, accompanied by Dr. Zulfan Taufik, Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs, and two academic staffs  Muhammad Fajri, M.Sos., and Abdul Gaffar, M.Sos. 

The delegation was received by YADIM Chief Executive Officer Ustadz Zamri Zainal Abidin and members of the foundation's senior management. Beyond exploring institutional cooperation, the meeting served as a platform to exchange views on integrating environmental conservation into Islamic outreach, education and research.

Cross Border Partnership: Delegates from UIN Bukittinggi and leaders of YADIM during a discussion.

During  the discussions, both sides agreed that public awareness of environmental stewardship through Islamic outreach should be strengthened. They said greater emphasis is needed to help communities recognise that caring for the Earth is a religious obligation. Ecological awareness, they added, should be rooted in the theological understanding that all of creation constitutes signs of God and must be safeguarded rather than exploited without restraint.

Prof. Dr. Syafwan Rozi (Dean of Faculty of Ushuluddin, Adab, and Dakwah)

As a follow-up, YADIM and UIN Bukittinggi discussed several collaborative initiatives, including plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The proposed partnership will focus on strengthening Islamic outreach, research, community development and scholarly studies on eco-theology in response to contemporary challenges.

Through closer cooperation between a religious outreach institution and a university, both organisations hope to launch joint initiatives ranging from research projects and academic seminars to community engagement programmes and public education campaigns aimed at fostering a culture of sustainable living grounded in Islamic values.

A gift for environment. Delegates from UIN Bukittinggi presenting cassava crackers as a token of appreciation to YADIM leaders, symbolizing local food security and environmental conservation.

The cross-border collaboration is expected to mark an important step towards strengthening an approach to Islamic outreach that is responsive to both humanitarian and environmental challenges. As ecological pressures become increasingly complex, eco-theology is seen as offering a framework that not only encourages a closer relationship with God but also inspires a shared commitment to protecting the Earth as a common home. The initiative is also consistent with UIN Bukittinggi's broader efforts to advance eco-theological scholarship and international academic collaboration. [IRWANDI]

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