SURABAYA, Suara Muhammadiyah – In an effort to raise public awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability and interfaith tolerance, Muhammadiyah invites all elements of the nation to work together in building a sustainable and peaceful life. This message was conveyed by the Chairman of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah, International Relations and Cooperation Affairs, Syafiq A. Mughni, during his keynote speech on the theme "The Role of Religious Leaders and Communities in Nurturing Harmony and Environmental Preservation" at the Eco Bhinneka Muhammadiyah Annual Meeting, Monitoring, and Evaluation event in Surabaya.
Syafiq emphasized that environmental issues are not just technical matters but also integral to dawah, which should be integrated into all aspects of life. “Dawah is not just about conveying religious teachings, but also about how we coexist with the environment and others,” he stated. He highlighted that understanding and respecting each other’s religious beliefs is at the core of tolerance. “However, if respecting others' beliefs leads us to disrespect our own faith, then that is not tolerance. Every belief must be honored,” he added, quoting the principle 'lakum dinukum waliyadin'.
Syafiq Mughni also underscored that Muhammadiyah is committed to encouraging and promoting awareness through a humane and ethical approach rather than coercion. “We want society to improve out of awareness, not compulsion,” he said.
He noted that awareness must be amplified and disseminated so that the public, leaders, and decision-makers understand the critical importance of environmental issues. Through the Eco Bhinneka initiative, Syafiq hopes to build awareness among interfaith leaders and the broader community.
“Let’s present environmental issues in places of worship and see how many people are discussing these topics. This is an important step towards building collective awareness and a more sustainable life,” he concluded.
With commitment and collaboration, Muhammadiyah is confident that this movement will continue, whether in the form of Eco Bhinneka or in other forms, to uphold environmental sustainability and strengthen interfaith tolerance. (farah)
