“We must reject helplessness in the face of climate change”: Minister of Religious Affairs

“Our greed toward nature brings doomsday closer. The greedier we are toward nature, the sooner doomsday will arrive.”

These poignant words from Prof. Dr. H. Nasaruddin Umar, Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs, set the tone for a transformative dialogue on faith, environmental responsibility, and climate action during his recent visit to Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII). Delivered as part of his keynote address, Faith and Environment: Pragmatism, Piety, and Ethics, the Minister underscored the urgent need to integrate religious values with modern science to tackle the world’s pressing environmental challenges.

The visit, held on December 11, 2024, marked a significant milestone for UIII in its growing collaboration with Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, reinforcing its mission to be a global hub for Islamic higher education. Organized by UIII’s Center of Islam and Global Challenges (IGC) within the Faculty of Islamic Studies, the event brought together hundreds of students, academics, administrators, and faith leaders for an enriching multidisciplinary discussion.

A Multi-Dimensional Approach to Climate Challenges

In his keynote speech, Prof. Nasaruddin highlighted the environmental crisis as an immediate and complex issue, deeply rooted in human behavior and policy choices. Rejecting apocalyptic fatalism, he called for hope and action grounded in faith and ethics.

“We must reject helplessness in the face of climate change. The apocalypse is not pre-ordained. Our faith and ethics can guide us toward proactive, collective action,” the Minister affirmed. He emphasized that while climate change presents daunting challenges, faith-based ethics offer a hopeful framework for innovative and sustainable solutions.

Drawing on his experience as the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, Prof. Nasaruddin described environmental stewardship as a personal and collective moral obligation. “It is every Muslim’s fard al-‘ayn—an individual duty—to protect the earth. Planting trees should be as habitual as daily prayers, and waqf—religious endowments—can support renewable energy and decarbonization,” he said.

He also pointed to the influential role of religious leaders and institutions like UIII in inspiring environmental action, noting that Indonesian Muslims often trust religious leaders more than politicians or the media. “By framing environmental care through faith, we can mobilize millions toward a collective, hopeful response,” he added.

Rather than fear-based messaging, Prof. Nasaruddin advocated for a compassionate, ethical, and community-rooted approach to environmental activism. “We should see environmental care as a shared responsibility driven by compassion and stewardship, not fear or division,” he said. []

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