BUK hosts conference on sustainability, ecological resilience in Muslim world

By Aliyu Inuwa Mansir On Feb 6, 2024

BUK, Al Istiqama University, Sumaila, International Institute of Islamic Thought, Muslim, ecological resilience — BUK hosts conference on sustainability, ecological resilience in Muslim world

The Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Bayero University Kano, in collaboration with Al Istiqama University, Sumaila, and the International Institute of Islamic Thought, on Monday organized the first international transdisciplinary hybrid conference on sustainability and ecological resilience in the Muslim world.

SOLACEBASE reports that the conference explored the vital teachings of Islam on achieving a harmonious balance between humans and the environment.

Speaking at the event held at BUK, the university, Vice Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, said that the consequences of environmental degradation, increasing hunger, conflicts, and ill-health were becoming increasingly evident.

Prof. Abbas said, “The global climate crisis is affecting every one of us, and if no urgent action is taken by all of us, the future of our children and the human race will be uncertain and unfulfilling.”

“We, as a research community, sought solutions that were not only effective but also resonated with the values and beliefs of diverse populations. For over a millennium, Islam has offered a comprehensive framework for sustainable living. From the Qur’anic verses that proclaimed stewardship over the earth to the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) teachings on moderation and compassion, our faith laid out a clear path toward harmony with nature.

“This conference is strong evidence of the potential of Islamic thought to enrich the global sustainability discourse. By gathering prominent scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from the Muslim world and beyond, this conference seeks to explore the vast knowledge and rich traditions within the Islamic faith that can guide humans towards a more sustainable future.”

He also encouraged the participants to think of follow-up activities that would strengthen the objectives and outcomes of the conference.

On his part, Dean Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Bayero University Kano, Professor Aliyu Barau, said that the conference sought to explore the vast knowledge and rich traditions within the Islamic faith that can guide humans towards a more sustainable future.

Barau also said the world was already engulfed with multiple ecological crises that had greatly exacerbated massive social insecurity and economic collapse everywhere.

Without sounding pessimistic, he said that the future of human prosperity was gloomy.

He added that the human race had abandoned the responsibility and accountability for the planet that God entrusted to people for intergenerational use and sharing.

“Over the decades, we have witnessed efforts put in place by governments, international institutions, universities, the media, and civil society to save the planet. Nevertheless, the crises keep rising steadily, deeply, and irreversibly,’’ Prof. Barau said.

‘’For instance, in the last five years, every year has been hotter than the previous years, and this is seriously threatening our lives, well-being, mental health, and resilience to diseases. As land degradation escalates globally, droughts, floods, storms, and other climate extreme events push us off a cliff and points of no return.”

“It was necessary to seek alternative pathways for tackling these huge existential threats. Fortunately, billions of people subscribe to one faith or another. Our faiths provide a moral compass, guiding us toward balance, justice, and responsibility.

The conference with a theme, ‘’Addressing Global and Local Environmental Crises: Islamic Perspectives and Muslim Experiences, brought together academics from within and outside Nigeria.