Religious Affairs Minister urges public to embrace ecotheology for planetary stewardship

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar has called on all segments of society to foster collective awareness of the importance of preserving the universe through implementing ecotheological concepts in daily life.

During an interview after the Eid al-Adha prayer on Wednesday at Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque, he stated that a servant’s obedience to God is not solely measured by ritual worship but must also manifest in actions that promote environmental health.

‘Being pious is not just about religious observances; obedience must be demonstrated through environmental stewardship. We cannot be perfect servants if our environment is degraded,’ he said.

As the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque, Nasaruddin explained that humans have two primary roles on Earth: as servants (abid) and stewards (khalifah), both of which cannot function ideally without a healthy natural environment.

These environmental messages formed key points in the Eid al-Adha sermon titled ‘Strengthening the Spirit of Sacrifice, Caring for Nature and Humanity’, delivered by Hamdan Juhannis, rector of Alauddin State Islamic University (UIN) Makassar, who served as the khatib at Istiqlal.

The ecotheological concept presented by the khatib is deemed relevant to prevent society from treating the universe merely as an exploitable object, but also as a living subject.

‘How can one pray with devotion during floods? Nature should not be treated merely as an object but must also be regarded as both a subject and an object. Without the universe, we could never become ideal humans,’ Minister Nasaruddin added.

He noted that copies of the sermon would be reprinted in larger quantities, as many ministers and community leaders wish to study it, following the previous limited print run.