by, Nor Asfarina Syakirin
GOMBAK, 25 January 2025: The Department of Usul al-Din and Comparative Religion, AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS) of the International Islamic University (IIUM) under the course, Inter-Religious Dialogue, led by Assoc Prof. Dr. Fatmir Shehu, organised the event, LI TA’ARAFU 9.0 Dialogue Forum: Inter-Religious Perspectives on Water Ethics. It was held on 10 January at IIUM Gombak in person and through the Zoom online platform. The forum was titled, “Water Ethics from the Perspectives of a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist and a Hindu.”
The forum had experts of various religious backgrounds namely, Director, Corporate Communication & Consumer Affairs Unit Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN), National Water Service Commision Malaysia, Ts. Mohd Fazil Ismail; an academic in the Department of Qur’an and Sunnah Studies (RKQS), AHAS KIRKHS, IIUM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Radwan Jamal Yousef Elatrash; Deputy Chairman of People’s Park Baptist Church, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Dr. Living Lee Chai Peng; Director, Nalanda Institute Malaysia, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Mr. Tan Siang Chye; and academic from the Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya Coordinator for the Friendship Group of Inter-Religious Service, Malaysia, Prof. Dr. Suresh Govind.
The first session was conducted by facilitator, Aliyah Nadjmin Binti Danial. She introduced the first panelist, Ts. Mohd Fazil and asked him on his perspective of national water resources and ethics in the Malaysian context. According to him, water, a fundamental necessity, is managed by various federal and state agencies such as JPS (Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran), LUAS (Lembaga Urus Air Selangor), and SPAN. Established in 2007 under the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (KeTSA), SPAN regulates water and sewerage services across Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, ensuring operators meet technical, economic, and consumer standards. While addressing ethical responsibilities in water management, Ts. Mohd Fazil highlighted SPAN’s strict enforcement on pollution, including potential criminal charges for contaminating water sources. He also discussed Malaysia’s high per capita water consumption of 228 liters in 2023, underscoring the need for efficiency and sustainability. Ts. Mohd Fazil reinforced the government’s commitment, led by the National Water Council chaired by the Prime Minister, to preserving water resources and ensuring a clean water supply for the nation.
Moving to the second session, facilitator, Siti Farhanah Binti Hassan, introduced the second panelist, IIUM academic, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Radwan Jamal on his view as a Muslim on water ethics. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Radwan highlighted the divine and spiritual significance of water in Islam, citing its frequent mention in the Qur’an, in the form of references to rivers and water in Paradise. Water was described not only as a vital physical resource but also as a symbol of purity, life, and divine creation. He also underscored Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) teachings, stressing moderation in water use, the prohibition of wastefulness, and the importance of preventing water pollution. Preserving and equitable distribution of water was presented as a collective responsibility, not just for Muslims but for all of humanity. Sharing water was highlighted as one of the highest forms of charity. He also concluded his session by urging us to be grateful for having clean water, to treat the precious resource ethically, and to offer a commitment to safeguard it for future generations, reflecting both personal faith and environmental stewardship.
In the third session, Dr. Living Lee Chai Peng was introduced by facilitator, Muhammad Hafiy Mizani Bin Mohd Ismizan. In his presentation, Dr. Lee highlighted water ethics from the Christian perspective, linking biblical narratives with modern geological and environmental understanding. He highlighted water as a divine gift essential for life, pointing out how the Bible describes the water cycle centuries before scientific discovery. Dr. Lee stressed stewardship over domination, urging responsible management of water resources and ethical responsibility toward environmental preservation. He also addressed the issue of water scarcity, water pollution, and the importance of having effective cooperation between communities and governments. Dr. Lee’s encouraged practical steps to minimize water wastage and protect resources, resonating with universal ethical principles of respecting and caring for the earth as a divine trust.
The fourth session was facilitated by Muhd Faizie Bin Md Fauzi, who introduced the fourth speaker Mr. Tan Siang Chye. Mr. Tan was asked on his input on water ethics from the Buddhist perspective. Mr. Tan emphasised that it is very important to respect nature. The Buddhist perspective on water emphasizes its importance for all life and the need for people to respect nature. Water, as a vital resource, symbolizes purity and harmony, which are central to Buddhist teachings. The Buddha taught that human actions should not harm the environment, aligning with the message of environmental preservation seen in his teachings. Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Buddhist monk, urged that to save the earth, we must shift our concept of happiness, and focus on mindfulness and compassion rather than consumption. The Buddhist view highlights the interconnectedness of life, advocating for sustainable living and respect for nature’s resources, mentioned Mr. Tan.
The final session was facilitated by Ilham Fawwaz Syakirin Bin Mohamad Taib, who introduced the last speaker of the forum, Prof. Dr. Suresh Govind. He was asked of his view on water ethics from the Hinduism perspective. Prof. Dr. Suresh emphasized the importance of respecting time and the environment, particularly water, which is central to many religious and spiritual practices. Drawing from ancient texts – the Vedas and the Qur’an; they highlight how water represents purity, interconnectedness, and the foundation of life. Scientific studies, such as those by famous Japanese scientist, Dr. Masaru Emoto, show that water can absorb and reflect human emotions, supporting its significance in rituals. Prof. Dr Suresh stressed the need to have collective action in addressing climate change and pollution, asserting that reverence for nature can lead to improved personal and communal well-being. He gave examples of water conservation leading to better academic performance and the integration of spiritual principles with modern practices to foster environmental stewardship. Ultimately, his message called for the sacred responsibility to protect and conserve natural resources for the health of humanity and the planet.
The forum is an event sponsored by Erasmus and is part of the Erasmus Plus Partnership programme: Facing Global Challenges – Environmental and Peace Education in Interreligious Cooperation, a collaboration between Augsburg University, Germany and Usul al Din and Comparative Religion Society (UDCY). ***
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