REFLECTION WEEK 5 - Sejahtera as Local Concept of Sustainable Development

-

Date: 1 April 2025

sources: https://www.arenasolutions.com/

Assalamualaikum everyone, I am excited to share my new knowledge in subject of Sustainable Development (SD), focusing on Sejahtera as Local Concept of Sustainable Development . I've tried to make it engaging and easy to read, with a conversational tone. A lot of key lessons from the lecture are:

Hey everyone, let's talk about a concept that's been popping up a lot lately, especially here in Malaysia: Sejahtera. You might translate it as "well-being" or "prosperity," but it's so much richer than that. It's a way of looking at life, progress, and even sustainability, through a local lens.

What Exactly IS Sejahtera?

So, what does Sejahtera really mean? Well, according to a few sources, it's about being:

  • Aman sentosa dan makmur: Peaceful, prosperous, and thriving.
  • Selamat: Safe and free from disturbances.
  • A state where people are healthy, peaceful, and prosperous.

The Kamus Dewan (our authoritative Malay dictionary) adds that it means being safe and protected from disasters and difficulties. Essentially, a Masyarakat Sejahtera (a Sejahtera society) is one that embodies all these qualities!

Sejahtera: A Deeper Dive

But here's where it gets really interesting. Looking at Sejahtera from a Tawheed (Islamic) perspective, it goes beyond just material comfort. Professor Kamal Hassan highlights some crucial points:

  • It's all connected: Safety, peace, harmony, love, justice – they're all tied to our inner selves, our relationships with each other, and our connection with God. Think iman (faith), ibadah (worship), amal soleh (good deeds), akhlak (character), takwa (piety), and ihsan (compassion).
  • It's holistic: True Sejahtera includes a belief in the afterlife. It's about a lasting sense of well-being, not just short-term happiness.
  • Leadership matters: Leaders are seen as trustees, responsible to God, and should be examples of faith and piety.
  • Education is key: Universities and other educational institutions have a vital role in creating insan soleh (righteous individuals) who can build these Sejahtera societies. It's about achieving al-falaah (true success), not al-khusraan (loss).
  • Unity is important: The concept of ummah (community), based on akidah Tawheed (the belief in one God), transcends race, language, and geography.

Sejahtera in Action: Localizing Sustainability

This is where Sejahtera links up with sustainable development. "Localizing" sustainability means taking global goals and adapting them to fit specific regions and communities. It's about:

  • Involving everyone: Getting local people to participate in decisions.
  • Going green: Promoting eco-friendly tech and energy efficiency.
  • Supporting local: Helping small businesses and investing in renewable resources.
  • Protecting nature: Conserving our natural resources.

It's a team effort! Governments, businesses, non-profits, and communities all need to work together to make sustainability a reality at the local level. The goal? To create a better future for everyone.

Sejahtera and Values

The idea of kesejahteraan diri (personal well-being) is even part of our Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan (National Philosophy of Education), aiming to help individuals contribute to a harmonious society. It's about balance – intellectual, physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being.

Sejahtera Compared to Other Concepts

Interestingly, Sejahtera shares some similarities with other global concepts of well-being:

  • Lagom (Swedish): Finding balance and moderation – "not too much, not too little, just right."
  • Hygge (Norwegian/Danish): Creating a cozy and comfortable atmosphere.
  • Ikigai (Japanese): Discovering your "reason for being" and purpose in life.
  • Ubuntu (African): Emphasizing community and living better together.

Food for Thought

Sejahtera gives us a powerful framework for thinking about how we can create thriving, sustainable communities. It's not just about economic growth, but also about our values, our relationships, and our inner selves.

What do you think? How can we all contribute to a more Sejahtera future? Let me know in the comments!

Comments

  1. Ma Kalshomah19 May 2025 at 05:08

    Keep inspiring me with your writing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Syahira19 May 2025 at 05:30

    Keep up the great work!🌟🌟🌟🌟

    ReplyDelete
  3. Irsyad Fahmi19 May 2025 at 06:26

    Very informative, I learnt a lot from this

    ReplyDelete
  4. alia maisarah19 May 2025 at 07:29

    A Sejahtera future begins with shared responsibility by nurturing compassion, practicing sustainability, upholding justice, and promoting holistic well-being in our daily lives.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

REFLECTION WEEK 3 - Maqasid Shariah and Sustainable Development

-
Image
 Date: 11 March 2025 sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Putra_Mosque  Assalamualaikum everyone, I am excited to share my new knowledge in subject  of Sustainable Development (SD) , focusing on its  Maqasid Shariah and Sustainable Development . A lot of k ey lessons from the lecture are: Okay, here's a blog-style simplification of the provided presentation on Maqasid Shariah and Sustainable Development: Maqasid Shariah: Islamic Wisdom for a Sustainable World Hey everyone! This week, we're exploring the cool connection between Islamic principles and the big global push for sustainable development. Turns out, there's a lot of overlap! At the heart of it is Maqasid al-Shariah . Think of it as the core objectives of Islamic law – the reasons why certain rules exist. It's all about ensuring well-being and preventing harm. And to do that, it focuses on protecting five essential things: Life: This isn't just about physical survival, but also about living in ...
Read more

REFLECTION WEEK 9 - Field Works - On Campus Observation

-
Image
Date: 29 April 2025 source: https://sdgadmin.iium.edu.my/ Assalamualaikum everyone, I am excited to share my new knowledge in subject  of Sustainable Development (SD) , focusing on  Field Works - On Campus Observation .  I've tried to make it engaging and easy to read, with a conversational tone.  A lot of k ey lessons from the lecture are: Okay, here's a blog-style summary of the provided presentation on fieldwork related to IIUM as a sustainable campus: Our Campus, Our Planet: Students Taking Action for Sustainability Hey everyone! This week, we're diving into how our very own International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) is working towards becoming a more sustainable campus. It's not just about lectures and exams; it's about getting out there and seeing how sustainability principles are being put into practice – and how we, as students, can be part of the change! What is a Sustainable Campus Anyway? That's the big question! It turns out there isn't o...
Read more

REFLECTION WEEK 1 - Introduction of Sustainable

-
Image
Date: 4 March 2025 source: https://sgs.upm.edu.my/  Assalamualaikum everyone, I am excited to share my new knowledge in subject of Sustainable Development (SD) , focusing on its definition, principles, evolution, and applications . A lot of k ey lessons from the lecture are:  Definition of Sustainable Development is m eeting present needs without compromising future generations (Brundtland Report, 1987). It  Integrates environmental, social, and economic considerations.  Three Core Concepts of Sustainability are l iving within Earth’s limits  (conserving resources), i nterconnection between economy, society, and environment  (balanced development) and f air distribution of resources  (equity across generations).  Evolution of Sustainable Development is a t ransition from unsustainable development to MDGs then SDGs  (2015).  17 SDGs  address poverty, climate change, gender equality, and responsible consumption.  The Five Pi...
Read more