RCE Central Semenanjung - 2021
Transforming The Role of Surau Academy of Islamic Studies Universiti Malaya for Campus Sustainability Through 'Imarah Green Project' (2021)
Region:
Asia-Pacific
Country:
Malaysia
Location(s):
Kuala Lumpur
Address of focal point institution for project:
Academy of Islamic Studies
Universiti Malaya
Universiti Malaya
Ecosystem(s):
Target Audience:
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area :
Started with a normal surau setting, most of the utility bill from water usage and electricity has not become topic of discussion. With the introduction and integration of Imarah Green Project to Surau of Academy of Islamic Studies UM (APIUM), the team has managed to integrate and embedded several sustainability features with the aim to transform the surau into eco-surau – one of its kind and first in the University.
Water and electricity savings, installation of LED lightings, Rainwater Harvesting System (RWH) with Ultraviolet filtration to treat water to be used for ablution, organic backyard garden of the Surau, sustainability poster board for awareness, continuous awareness and educational program, the Surau of APIUM is now a model of an eco-surau to be replicated to other mosques with the partnership of Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) and Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) via its agencies: Malaysia Green Technology & Climate Change Centre (MGTC) and National Water Management Commission (SPAN).
Water and electricity savings, installation of LED lightings, Rainwater Harvesting System (RWH) with Ultraviolet filtration to treat water to be used for ablution, organic backyard garden of the Surau, sustainability poster board for awareness, continuous awareness and educational program, the Surau of APIUM is now a model of an eco-surau to be replicated to other mosques with the partnership of Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) and Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) via its agencies: Malaysia Green Technology & Climate Change Centre (MGTC) and National Water Management Commission (SPAN).
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses:
Sustainable development challenges the project addresses:
a) Education for Sustainable Development – by targeting the Muslim community (surau and mosque users), there is a greater need in translating the cultural knowledge from the Quran & Hadith teachings into real sustainability action and practices. This project aims to integrate and the link between Quran and hadith teachings with environmental and sustainability literacy.
b) Responsible consumption and production – by having Imarah Eco-Friends as ambassadors and active working groups comprises of both academicians and students to educate UM community and beyond on the importance of recycling, responsible consumption, waste separation at source, upcycling among others to address the issue of irresponsible consumption and waste mismanagement.
a) Education for Sustainable Development – by targeting the Muslim community (surau and mosque users), there is a greater need in translating the cultural knowledge from the Quran & Hadith teachings into real sustainability action and practices. This project aims to integrate and the link between Quran and hadith teachings with environmental and sustainability literacy.
b) Responsible consumption and production – by having Imarah Eco-Friends as ambassadors and active working groups comprises of both academicians and students to educate UM community and beyond on the importance of recycling, responsible consumption, waste separation at source, upcycling among others to address the issue of irresponsible consumption and waste mismanagement.
Status:
Ongoing
Period:
May, 2016
Rationale:
The project initiated in 2016 has successfully embedded the sustainability element both in terms of hardware (physical infrastructure features) and software (guideline, training and awareness programs) for their targeted beneficiaries by transforming Surau of Academy of Islamic Studies (APIUM) into Eco-Surau in 2017/2018.
As the project grows over the years, the team has developed Garis Panduan Masjid Lestari Hijau (Green Sustainable Mosque Guidelines) with the partnership of Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) to expand the scope of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to respective communities beyond campus boundaries by targeting to educate and promote awareness on sustainable practices with the aims to transform mosques and surau in Federal Territory under JAWI.
In 2021, the Imarah Green Project has broadened the scope of partnership by receiving the support of the Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) through its agency: National Water Management Commission (SPAN) and Malaysia Green Technology & Climate Change Centre (MGTC).
As the project grows over the years, the team has developed Garis Panduan Masjid Lestari Hijau (Green Sustainable Mosque Guidelines) with the partnership of Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) to expand the scope of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to respective communities beyond campus boundaries by targeting to educate and promote awareness on sustainable practices with the aims to transform mosques and surau in Federal Territory under JAWI.
In 2021, the Imarah Green Project has broadened the scope of partnership by receiving the support of the Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) through its agency: National Water Management Commission (SPAN) and Malaysia Green Technology & Climate Change Centre (MGTC).
Objectives:
i. Implementing eco-mosque programme at selected mosques in accord with the Pelan Pengimarahan Masjid-masjid Wilayah Persekutuan.
ii. Inculcate sustainability awareness and eco-surau activism at all Surau Residential Colleges in UM.
iii. Promoting Lestari Shop services for communal benefits of UM community as well as outside society.
ii. Inculcate sustainability awareness and eco-surau activism at all Surau Residential Colleges in UM.
iii. Promoting Lestari Shop services for communal benefits of UM community as well as outside society.
Activities and/or practices employed:
Activities carried out:
i. Green practices: recycling, urban backyard garden, rainwater harvesting and water-saving initiative
ii. Capacity building programs: a) Mentor-Mentee Leadership Training Workshop for Imarah Eco-Friends Surau APIUM, b) Series of Sustainability Talks and Webinars: in collaboration with E-Maara TV team, Academy of Islamic Studies (APIUM)
iii. Knowledge Transfer: a) Eco-mosque induction workshop, b) eco-mosque practices webinar (in collaboration with JAWI & MGTC)
iv. Community Engagement: Waste separation and upcycling activities – Zero Waste Challenge to encourage public participation on recycling, Rainwater Harvesting System Maintenance (RWHS) maintenance, Gotong-royong / Cleanup of Backyard Garden Surau APIUM, Recycling of used cooking oil campaign, Eco-Bazaar @ Masjid in collaboration with Masjid Jamek al-Khadijiah for example
i. Green practices: recycling, urban backyard garden, rainwater harvesting and water-saving initiative
ii. Capacity building programs: a) Mentor-Mentee Leadership Training Workshop for Imarah Eco-Friends Surau APIUM, b) Series of Sustainability Talks and Webinars: in collaboration with E-Maara TV team, Academy of Islamic Studies (APIUM)
iii. Knowledge Transfer: a) Eco-mosque induction workshop, b) eco-mosque practices webinar (in collaboration with JAWI & MGTC)
iv. Community Engagement: Waste separation and upcycling activities – Zero Waste Challenge to encourage public participation on recycling, Rainwater Harvesting System Maintenance (RWHS) maintenance, Gotong-royong / Cleanup of Backyard Garden Surau APIUM, Recycling of used cooking oil campaign, Eco-Bazaar @ Masjid in collaboration with Masjid Jamek al-Khadijiah for example
Size of academic audience:
Within 5 years this project has successfully engaged with at least 1,250 academic audience internal and external community
Results:
Implementation of eco-mosque programme at selected mosques as per the Pelan Pengimarahan Masjid-masjid Wilayah Persekutuan (a five-year plan aimed at expanding the role of mosques located in the federal territories and mobilising them to serve as local community centres providing various facilities to meet the psychosocial and spiritual needs of people from all walks of life which include sustainability and greening of the mosques).
Inculcate sustainability awareness and eco-surau activism at all Surau Residential Colleges in UM in particular the Surau Committees and students.
Continuously promoting Lestari Shop services for communal benefits of UM community as well as outside society by working together with respective mosques surrounding UM’s neighbourhood of Lembah Pantai area.
Inculcate sustainability awareness and eco-surau activism at all Surau Residential Colleges in UM in particular the Surau Committees and students.
Continuously promoting Lestari Shop services for communal benefits of UM community as well as outside society by working together with respective mosques surrounding UM’s neighbourhood of Lembah Pantai area.
Lessons learned:
Success factors:
i) The rising importance of ESD in promoting sustainable practices
ii) Benefits of transformation of ordinary mosque/surau into eco-mosque which goes beyond monetary savings but also benefiting the environmental sustainability and empowering the community through sustainable living and practices
iii) Support from the Government and University in taking up this initiative to be expanded beyond campus vicinity to reach out to larger beneficiaries
iv) Multi-stakeholders from different backgrounds both science and non-science give a more holistic and inclusive approach of combining Islamic teachings with science and technical knowledge and application.
Challenges:
i) financial sustainability to sustain the research project for the long term period
ii) MCO due to pandemic has shifted the physical engagement activities to virtual, most of the original plans to work with respective mosques community are delayed / some shifted to virtual mode.
i) The rising importance of ESD in promoting sustainable practices
ii) Benefits of transformation of ordinary mosque/surau into eco-mosque which goes beyond monetary savings but also benefiting the environmental sustainability and empowering the community through sustainable living and practices
iii) Support from the Government and University in taking up this initiative to be expanded beyond campus vicinity to reach out to larger beneficiaries
iv) Multi-stakeholders from different backgrounds both science and non-science give a more holistic and inclusive approach of combining Islamic teachings with science and technical knowledge and application.
Challenges:
i) financial sustainability to sustain the research project for the long term period
ii) MCO due to pandemic has shifted the physical engagement activities to virtual, most of the original plans to work with respective mosques community are delayed / some shifted to virtual mode.
Funding:
RM 149,492.00 (2016 – 2021) funded by Research University funding of Universiti Malaya
RM 30,000.00 (2021) funded by National Water Services Commission (SPAN) Malaysia c/o Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) and Malaysia Green Technology & Climate Change Centre (MGTC)
RM 30,000.00 (2021) funded by National Water Services Commission (SPAN) Malaysia c/o Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) and Malaysia Green Technology & Climate Change Centre (MGTC)
Pictures:
File Name | Caption for picture | Photo Credit |
---|---|---|
Lestari Shop 01.JPG (4.09 MB) | Lestari Shop - one of the sustainability feature to promote responsible consumption through recycling & charity | Imarah Eco-Friends Surau APIUM |
Eco Free Market 02.JPG (175.99 KB) | Eco Free Market - community engagement program to support the needy by donating used clothing, toys and other daily items with B40 Community | Imarah Eco-Friends Surau APIUM |
News IEF.PNG (1.67 MB) | Imarah Green Project on the News | Imarah Eco-Friends Surau APIUM |
References and reference materials:
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Indirect
SDG 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
Indirect
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Direct
SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Direct
SDG 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Indirect
SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation
Indirect
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Direct
SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Direct
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Direct
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss
Indirect
SDG 16 - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Indirect
SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
Direct
Traditional Knowledge
Direct
Arts
Indirect
Curriculum Development
Indirect
Ecotourism
Indirect
Waste
Direct
Priority Action Area 1 - Advancing policy
state:
Direct
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments
state:
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Developing capacities of educators and trainers
state:
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth
state:
Direct
Update:
No
I acknowledge the above:
Yes