UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten campus should be a role model for the community in maintaining a beautiful, safe, and comfortable environment. As a religious higher education institution based on Islamic values, UIN Banten has a great responsibility to develop environmental awareness and sustainability in the perspective of tasawuf and ecotheology.
In the perspective of the Sufism of Jalaluddin Muhammad Rumi or Jalaluddin Muhammad Balkhi (1207-1273), there are three lessons that we need to work on. First, we must be faithful and responsible stewards of the environment, because we are part of the universe and the universe is part of us. Ecotheology teaches us to understand the relationship between humans, nature and God, so that we can become better stewards of the environment.
Secondly, Rumi says, “We should be the guardians of the garden, not just the connoisseurs of the flowers.” Let us make science a tool to increase our love for the environment and the universe, so that we can become better environmental stewards. UIN Banten must become a center for the study and development of environmentally sound science, so that it can make a real contribution to sustainable development.
Third, in the context of ecotheology, we must understand that the environment is not just a natural resource, but also part of God's creation that must be preserved and protected. Let us make this national awareness a momentum to increase our love for our homeland and campus environment.
In the words of Rumi, “We must be the fire that burns, not just the ashes that fly.” Let us be the fire that burns our love for our homeland and campus environment, so that we can create a better future for generations to come.
Thus, we can create a beautiful, safe, and comfortable UIN SMH Banten campus for all, and become an example for the community in protecting the environment and sustainability.
References: Rumi, J. (1230). Mathnawi. Translation by Reynold A. Nicholson.
