Contributor: Kante Hamed | Editor: Supriyono
UIII.AC.ID, DEPOK - The Faculty of Islamic Studies at the Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) organized an engaging lecture on December 21, 2023, with Depok City Mayor Dr. Mohammed Idris delved into the contributions of Islamic Studies to the United Nations’ agenda on sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The gathering commenced with a warm welcome from UIII scholar Dr. Ilyas Marwal, who emphasized the significance of the topic. It continued with the presentation of Professor Amsal Bakhtiar, UIII’s Director of Business Development, who emphasized the crucial need for social adaptation within the Islamic community and highlighted the university's pivotal role in facilitating this adaptation.
Professor Bakhtiar also stressed the importance of Depok—the city where UIII is located, in fostering an environment supportive of sustainable development. Additionally, during the address, Professor Bakhtiar appealed to Dr. Idris to consider establishing a building in his honor at the University.
The lecture session then delved into the profound connection between Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Islamic studies. The discourse highlighted Islam's principle of being a mercy to mankind, reflecting a divine and universal relationship that inherently aligns with human nature and contemporary needs.
"The relationship between them is a divine and cosmic relationship, and therefore it is a natural, innate, authentic, and contemporary necessity," Dr. Idris said, explaining the relationship between Islam and sustainable development.
The discussion further explored the concept of sustainable development, its link to human rights, and its alignment with divine and cosmic laws governing the earth's construction and development.
Additionally, insights were shared regarding the Indonesian government's initiatives towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programs implemented since 2015 focus on social, economic, environmental, and administrative governmental development pillars. Efforts to combat 'stunting' and enhance human energy through sustainable development programs were highlighted by Dr. Idriss as crucial elements of Indonesia's pursuit of SDGs.
Moreover, a detailed overview of the Government of Depok's vision for 2021-2026 highlighted their commitment to progressive, civilizational, and welfare-driven development across social, economic, environmental, and rights management domains.
“The significant progress, with 76% of the national SDGs achieved,” Dr. Idris highlighted, showcasing the Indonesian government's commitment to meeting the outlined goals.
The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session followed by the generous gesture of gifting some students with free tickets for a one-night stay at one of the finest hotels in Depok.
Dr. Mohammed Idris's lecture provided a comprehensive exploration of the intertwining principles of Islamic studies and sustainable development, offering invaluable insights and emphasizing the pivotal role of academia, government initiatives, and local governance in achieving these universal goals.