UNS — In Ramadan fajr prayer, Dr. Suryanto, M.Econ., Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta Environmental Economics Expert, was honored to deliver material and discussion in “Thematic Fajr Khutbah Ramadan 1442 H: Social, Economic Justice and Spirituality” held by International Academia Roundtable Forum, Thursday (29/4/2021).
In the online event attended by researchers from Indonesia and Malaysia, Dr. Suryanto revisited the environmental issues in Indonesia and their connection with Islamic values, especially on how human attitude. He opened his material with an invitation to participants to remember human’s duties on earth as caliph or leader who must take care of the earth, instead of bringing damage to earth as mentioned in Al-Qur’an Surah Al-Baqarah Ayah 30.
“However, I observed that in Indonesia, the existing phenomena contradict this guidance. We cannot fully meet what is mandated. I agree that our orientation is too anthropocentric (red: human as the center of the universe). Thus, material orientation is more common,” Dr. Suryanto explained. The Chief of Environmental Research Center (PPLH) UNS added that landslides and floods are examples of environmental imbalance caused by human activities.
The forest that should be taken care of and benefits people were converted and logged excessively due to material orientation as if it will provide greater economic and financial benefits. Behind economic growth, Dr. Suryanto added, people often forget that there are environmental damages that follow, which more often than not, far greater than the economic growth generated. Excessive natural exploitation also leads to the transfer of wealth from people with a low economy to people with a higher economy and worsens the economic and social inequality.
“On one hand, the economy is improving after utilizing the environment. On the other hand, people who live sustainably with their local wisdom must lose their resources for the sake of development. In our religion (red: Islam), this inequality needs to be eliminated,” he said.
FEB UNS faculty member also recited QS Ar-Rum Ayah 41 that mentioned environmental damages inland and sea caused by human activities and that Allah wants humans to feel the result of their actions to return them to the correct way. According to Dr. Suryanto, the environment will not recover if humans continue their development while disregarding eco-centrism and environmental balance.
Suryanto explained that people greed makes people exploit the limited available resources. Therefore, it is essential to return to Qur’an and remember that greed will not bring benefits. “Nature has its distinct role. Our homework is to balance everything,” Dr. Suryanto stated. Dr. Suryanto was not alone in the event moderated by Dr. Ida Hindarsah, MM, as Dr. Toton Witono, MA (Ministry of Social Affairs RI) and Mahathir Yahaya, Ph.D. (Universiti Sains Malaysia) also delivered materials in the event. Humas UNS
Reporter: Kaffa Hidayati
Editor: Dwi Hastuti