By Nur Ashikin Louis and Chris Bishop
KUCHING, Jan 3: Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has called upon Muslims to seek new knowledge on environmental sustainability to address climate change for the next 25 years as required in the Quran.
He cited Verse 10 of Surah Al-Jumu’ah in the Quran which reads, “Once the prayer is over, disperse throughout the land and seek the bounty of Allah. And remember Allah often so you may be successful.”
He said the world today is undergoing transformation through the economic landscape with the advance of new technology and new ways of doing things as well as taking into account the need to address issues of climate change.
“It is therefore incumbent upon the present generation to sustain the environment and seek new knowledge through research and development. After all, Verse 10 requires us to do that,” he said when officiating at the Regional Islamic Da’wah Council of Southeast Asia & the Pacific’s (RISEAP) 19th General Assembly held at Riverside Majestic Hotel here today.
In the new era, he said, it is the duty of practising Muslims to upgrade their quality of education, and to master Science and Mathematics to contribute to the development of mankind.
He shared another Quran verse – Verse 11 of the Surah Ar-Ra’d which he stated, “it is expounded among other things that God will not change us in shape and our future of the community or mankind but they have to change themselves.”
“This is clearly stated in the Quran that if you were to advance further and to use our mastery of knowledge, we are able to contribute to the development of the society that we are in particularly in the Southeast Asia region and the pacific.
“If the environment is not well look after, there is a danger of rising water levels and we have to help our friends in the islands in the Pacific.
“Therefore, based on technology available through research, we have to mitigate global warming, and that is the duty of the Muslims who have the knowledge to transform the environment that we are facing today,” he added.
Among those present were Deputy Minister of Utilities Sarawak Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi who is also overseeing Islamic Affairs, and RISEAP deputy president Ridzuan Wu. — DayakDaily
