The Islamic approach to conserving biodiversity for global sustainability: an exploration
Cultural and biological diversity is closely interwoven to form a symbiotic relationship which may in fact hold the key to global sustainability. Some of the major religions of the world contain the blueprints for the conservation of natural biodiversity since it provides the ethical and social m...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
AENSI Publications
2014
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/36430/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/36430/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/36430/1/AEB-14-Lekha.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/36430/4/36430_islamic%20approach_scopus.pdf |
| Summary: | Cultural and biological diversity is closely interwoven to form a symbiotic relationship
which may in fact hold the key to global sustainability. Some of the major religions of
the world contain the blueprints for the conservation of natural biodiversity since it
provides the ethical and social models for regulating our relationship with nature. Islam
provides a holistic approach in addressing the current global crisis in the face of loss of
biodiversity for itpropagates balancing conservation with sustainable use of nature and
the wealth of resources found therein. This article explores the fundamental principles
enshrined in Islam and discusses their relevance in addressing the extinction crisis
which is threatening the future of this planet as has been prophesized in the Qur‟an. The
findings are based on a qualitative research design which employs a contents analysis of
translations of Qur‟an and related studies that discusses the provisions therein. Islamic
perspectives on crucial areas that impact on biodiversity such as sustainable
development, fair trade, the sustainable utilization of biodiversity through
biotechnology and related issues such as biosafety, benefit sharing and intellectual
property rights were discussed.The article concludes thatit is timely to re-explore and
tap the potential of religious values to shape the way people think and behave as well as
the way they relate to the natural world in the face of environmental crisis faced by the
global population. Conservation efforts undertaken through holistic approaches
prescribed by holistic principles enshrined in Islam may be the requisite tool that is
needed to unite the global community and find pathways to live harmoniously with the
environment. |
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