Abrar Zamri

  Today's lecture on measurement, indices, and indicators for sustainable development was eye-opening. I have learned that it requires more than economic indicators to measure progress towards sustainability as an integrated approach incorporating social, environmental, and institutional dimensions is needed. Additionally, the variety of indices presented, such as the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Ecological Footprint, showed me how different tools can capture different dimensions of well-being and sustainability. I was particularly interested in the distinction between context, input, process, and impact indicators. Understanding these categories made sense to me in relation to how actions at different levels from policy change to grassroots work which can be measured and assessed. For example, under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), output indicators like food parcels distributed directly relate to more far-reaching impacts like improved public health. The discussion on Malaysia’s Sha...

 Week 9 was a welcome change from the usual lecture class. Through the fieldwork on campus sustainability, I realized that sustainability is not just a theory in the books but something real and implementable in everyday life. Witnessing IIUM's efforts such as the food waste composting program, solar panels, recycling stations, and myTREEvolution program really gave me an eye-opener on the many programs that are operating in the background that I had no idea about before. Most effective to me was realizing we, the students, are not just passive viewers. We are actually change agents. The little things like saving water, reducing wastage of food, and recycling properly can be part of the larger picture in transforming IIUM into a sustainable campus. I also appreciated the way the university integrates Islamic values with sustainability practices, such as not wasting anything and taking good care of the environment as our Amanah (trust). It was a nice reminder that being environmenta...

  Week 8's topic reminded me of the bigger picture of why sustainable development not only depends on individual actions, but institutions also both globally and locally. I realized that institutions like the United Nations are also major contributors towards policy-making and fostering global partnerships through such initiatives as SDG 16 and SDG 17. They chart the course for peace, justice, and strong institutions, as well as for partnerships for the goals. Most impressive to me was how Malaysian institutions adopted the SDGs into national plans like the 11th and 12th Malaysia Plans. It shows that sustainable development is not some foreign concept, but something our own country is working towards. What local institutions and even private citizens do towards this effort made me consider that change actually starts at all levels. I was also impressed by the participation of data, finances, and training in ensuring that these objectives are carried out effectively. To have an effe...

  The lecture this week on "Challenges to Sustainable Development" thoroughly educated me on the complexities that come with achieving sustainability. While sustainable development always felt like a good concept to me, I had no idea how many challenges await it until we covered them in class. One of the most important lessons for me was the issue of poverty and inequality. What struck me was that sustainable development is not just about saving the environment. It's also about ensuring equal economic opportunities and resources for everyone. This made me reflect on how policies may be great on paper but not necessarily effective for vulnerable segments in reality. I was also impressed by how much politics and government impact efforts in sustainability. Too often, the absence of political will or corruption can stall or totally hinder progress. This reminded me of the need to have responsible and honest leaders who emphasize long-term over short-term objectives. Environm...

  Week 6's examination of the university role in advancing sustainable development was both enlightening and transfiguring. The lecture emphasized that universities are not merely schools of academic brilliance but transformative institutions for creating comprehensive, moral, and functional sustainability solutions. The greatest take-home was Prof. Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas's synthesis of Islamic philosophy of education, which considers balancing knowledge (fard 'ain and fard kifayah) with moral stewardship (khalifah). This resonated with me, as it framed sustainability as a moral and intellectual mandate grounding environmental stewardship on ihsan (perfection) and adl (justice). The critique of "education without soul" also compelled me to look at my own education: am I not only learning for professional success, but also cultivating values to contribute to the betterment of society's welfare? The argument for transformational learning versus convention...

  Week 5 deepened my understanding of Sejahtera, a holistic Malay concept of well-being embracing peace (aman), prosperity (makmur), and spiritual harmony. Unlike Western sustainability discourses fixated on environmental metrics, Sejahtera foregrounds inner harmony (kualiti hati) and ethical relations with others and nature. Prof. Kamal Hassan's lectures linked it to Tawheed (divine unity), making sustainability a spiritual imperative as Khalifah (stewardship) with accountability to God. I was impressed by the contrast between Sejahtera and material-oriented models. For instance, the 360-degree Sejahtera model positions character (akhlak) over economic progress by itself in reaction to modern crises like greed and imbalance. This is parallel to the Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan that aims to create balanced individuals toward societal harmony. The discussion on localizing sustainability truly resonated. Sejahtera offers a culturally rooted solution such as community-led, spiritual...

  Week 4 touched on international efforts to fight sustainability through global consensus, and this highlighted the key milestones like the 1972 Stockholm Conference, 1992 Rio Earth Summit, and the Kyoto Protocol. All these agreements promulgated collective responsibility where the developing and developed worlds shared common but differentiated responsibilities, a theme that resonated within me most deeply. The competition between economic advancement and conservation, specifically during talks like the U.S. rejection of the Kyoto Protocol, revealed the politics behind sustainability. The arrival of Sejahtera as a holistic Malay idea integrating prosperity (aman, makmur), spirituality, and moral leadership which created a homecoming perspective. It integrated sustainability with inner peace and social justice, which was a departure from Western technocratic approaches. Prof. Kamal Hassan's emphasis on heart quality and divine stewardship made me reflect on sustainability as a mor...

  Week 3 of the course discussed the profound connection between Maqasid Shariah (the higher objectives of Islamic law) and sustainable development, presenting a moral and spiritual foundation to address the sustainability requirements of the day. The lecture highlighted how Islamic values enhance and complement the world's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reiterated that sustainability is no new contraption but an ageless divine ordinance. One of the most perceptive sections was to explore the five fundamental objectives of Maqasid Shariah: safeguarding faith (Deen), life (Nafs), intellect (Aql), lineage (Nasl), and property (Mal). These objectives discovered a strong echo with the 5Ps of the SDGs (People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, Partnership), leading towards an all-encompassing synergy. For instance: Life (Nafs) mirrors Peace, since Islam by definition promotes peacefulness and condemns violence. Intellect (Aql) speaks to People, emphasizing education and rationality a...

  Week 2 of the course went in-depth about Islam's profound connection with sustainable development and how Islamic philosophy presents a comprehensive approach to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The lecture made me realize even more that sustainability is not a new idea but a component of Islamic philosophy that is ingrained in the Qur'an, Hadith, and the practice of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). One of the greatest learnings was Islamic philosophy toward environmental sustainability. The concept of "no damage and no infliction of damage" (La darar wa la dirar) emphasizes stewardship over natural resources. Verses such as "Eat and drink, but waste not by excess" (Al-A'raf 7:31) and the Prophet's admonitions on water conservation emphasized moderation and accountability. The idea that thriving in nature is connected to its preservation was highly appealing to me as it merges the modern-day culture of sustainability with centuries of an...

 Week 1 of the Sustainable Development course provided a general introduction to the main concepts, principles, and challenges of sustainability. The lecture began with an overview of the course outline, including assignments such as quizzes, reflective diaries, essays, and group projects, which emphasized the importance of both individual and group learning in understanding sustainable development. Among the key points was the definition of sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (Brundtland Report, 1987). I found this definition very much to my liking because it pushes into focus the intergenerational responsibility we have to balance economic growth, social justice, and environmental sustainability. The discussion of the "5P" model (People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership) continued to further reinforce the interconnectedness of these dim...