SCSH Reflective Journal

The Importance of Measurement Tools in Sustainable Development: A Reflection on This Week's Class      This week's class delved into key concepts surrounding sustainable development, with a focus on the measurement tools used to track progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The lecture introduced various indices and indicators that help evaluate governance and development initiatives. Among these, the Malaysian Shariah Index stood out, as it uniquely connects Maqasid Shariah with governance. The class also discussed Sustainable Development Indicators (SDIs) and how they are applied to measure various dimensions of sustainability. The lecture covered four types of indicators: context, input, process, and impact, offering a comprehensive framework to evaluate the effectiveness of sustainability efforts. Additionally, we were introduced to the human and economic factors that play a crucial role in sustainable development. The session was rounded off with a ...

IIUM Mosque Week 9 Class Overview      In Week 9, we had a special fieldwork activity called "IIUM as a Sustainable Campus - Students as Agents of Change." We didn't have to attend class in person, but we were asked to observe a place on the IIUM Gombak campus. My group chose the mosque as our focus and took pictures to show how it contributes to sustainability. We also learned from a recorded lecture that explained the importance of sustainability and how students can help make a positive change. Personal Reflection      After listening to the lecture, we realized that the mosque at IIUM is a great place to observe and reflect on sustainability. The mosque is a place where Muslims gather to pray, and it also helps build unity among people from different backgrounds. This supports SDG 17, which is about creating partnerships to achieve global goals. We divided our observations into three main ideas: A Place of Unity and Collaboration The mosque brings peopl...

  Understanding the Role of Institutions in Sustainable Development      In the last class, we learned about the importance of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals). These goals focus on building strong institutions and partnerships to help achieve sustainable development. The lecturer shared how Malaysia is working to include sustainability in its government systems. We also discussed how different institutions, local groups, and individuals play important roles in achieving these goals. The main idea was that working together and collaborating is key to creating positive change.      This class helped me understand how important institutions are in promoting sustainability. It also made me think about my own role in helping with these efforts. The lecturer explained how Malaysia is already taking steps to be more sustainable, and this inspired me to realize that even small personal actions can make a ...

  Understanding the Challenges to Sustainable Development      In today’s class, we discussed the challenges to sustainable development. We began by updating our group projects, making sure everyone was on track, addressing any problems, and setting goals for the next steps. After the group check-in, we focused on the main topic: the key challenges that affect sustainable development. These challenges include environmental, social, and economic issues that make it hard to take care of the Earth both locally and globally. The instructor used interesting questions to spark group discussions, encouraging us to think critically and work together. At the end of the class, the teacher reminded us to stay on schedule with our group assignments.      Reflecting on today’s class, I realized just how important it is to address the current challenges affecting the Earth, such as food security and water pollution. These are serious problems that need immediate att...

How Universities Help Make the World a Better Place      Today’s lesson focused on how universities can play a big role in making the world more sustainable. We learned about how their programs, buildings, and community projects can support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our teacher showed us a video about how research, new ideas, and good leadership can improve the environment. For our activity, we explored the IIUM campus to find places that show sustainability in action. Our group chose the mosque as our focus because it connects people and encourages care for our surroundings. Zero Hunger: A Lesson from Campus      One of the SDGs is “Zero Hunger,” which means making sure everyone has enough food. On our campus, the Bachelor of Education Students’ Association started a great program to help with this. They give out free breakfast to students in the morning so they can attend class without being hungry. This effort teaches three important lessons:...

IIUM Library   Exploring Knowledge at IIUM Dar Al-Hikmah Library      Today, we had the exciting opportunity to visit the IIUM Dar Al-Hikmah Library, a place filled with books, articles, and other resources to help students gain knowledge. The library is a perfect space for learning and exploring ideas related to Sustainable Development and Maqasid Shariah (the higher objectives of Islamic law). During our visit, we explored various parts of the library and found many connections to the Sejahtera concept, which promotes harmony and balance in life. Our lecturer also gave us a task: take interesting photos with books, references, or exhibition materials related to the Sejahtera concept, and write three lessons about it. Lessons Learned from the Sejahtera Concept for Sustainable Development Gender Equality The IIUM library provides equal reading areas for male and female students. This simple arrangement supports gender equality, which is one of the goals of Sustai...

  Global Cooperation for a Better Future      Today’s lesson focused on how countries around the world work together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We learned about important international agreements made during global conferences, such as the Rio de Janeiro Conference, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Bali UN Climate Change meeting. These meetings help countries plan strategies to improve the world by addressing problems like poverty, environmental damage, and inequality. The lecturer also explained how SDGs replaced the earlier Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2016 and will guide global progress until 2030.      Additionally, we discovered some fun facts about the Portuguese language influencing Malay words like Garfu (fork), Almari (wardrobe), and Minggu (week). The lecturer shared fascinating examples from his experiences, such as how seeds from Brazil were brought to Malaysia, making the lesson even more interesting. We a...

IIUM Gallery Exploring the Connection Between Islam and Sustainable Development at IIUM Gallery      Today’s class was not held in a traditional classroom. Instead, we visited the IIUM Gallery, where we learned about the university’s rich history, notable achievements, and influential alumni. This trip helped us understand the legacy and values of IIUM more deeply. During the visit, our lecturer assigned us an interesting task: to write about three observations connecting Maqasid Shariah (the goals of Islamic law) with Sustainable Development. Three Observations on Maqasid Shariah and Sustainable Development 1) Protecting Life ( Hifz al-Nafs ) One of the pictures in the gallery reminded us of the struggles people faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time brought challenges such as losing loved ones, mental health issues, and economic problems. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 focuses on ensuring good health and well-being for all. This is closely connected to Hif...

  How Islam and Sustainable Development Are Connected      In today’s lesson, we explored how Islam and Sustainable Development go hand in hand. Our teacher explained the concept of Akhlaq (morality), which means being kind and doing good deeds. Islam teaches us to care for Allah, ourselves, and others around us, including animals and nature. For instance, feeding a hungry cat is an example of being a good person while also taking care of the world. This shows how Islam encourages us to live in harmony with everything around us. Realizing the Bigger Picture      I was surprised to discover that Islam has always taught us how to take care of the world in addition to worshiping Allah. I used to think being moral was only about doing good for Allah, but now I see that these teachings also help us build stronger communities, protect the environment, and improve society. The examples shared in class made these ideas easy to understand and helped me see how...

                                                               17 Goals towards Sustainable Development and Transformation – MSFI Understanding Sustainable Development: A Class Reflection Introduction      Today’s lesson introduced us to the concept of Sustainable Development and how it plays a role in our lives. We started by sharing personal details like our names, what we study, and where we are from. We also described ourselves in one word and shared one word about the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). The teacher explained the importance of being “sustainable” through interesting examples and facts, showing how it helps protect our planet. We also discussed the class plan and assignments for the year. Key Learnings      The class provided a lot of valuable insights into sustainability. I lea...