SCSH 1201 By Naufal (2411747)

Class Reflection - Week 10: Measurement, Indices, and Indicators for Sustainable Development This week’s lecture deepened my understanding of the importance of measurement in sustainable development (SD). While sustainable development is often discussed in terms of goals and policies, this lesson highlighted the critical need for systematic and scientific measurement tools, specifically indices and indicators, to monitor progress, evaluate impact, and ensure accountability. Key Learning Points We explored various alternative measures of economic and social well-being, such as the Human Development Index (HDI), Ecological Footprint, Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI), and the Happy Planet Index (HPI). These tools go beyond traditional GDP-focused metrics, reflecting a broader and more humane understanding of prosperity — one that values health, education, environmental sustainability, and social equity. What particularly stood out to me was the Malaysian Shariah Index, a unique model ...

Individual Reflection Report  Week 9 – Fieldwork on IIUM as a Sustainable Campus Introduction Week 9 of the SCSH1201 course provided an engaging and practical learning experience through fieldwork, focusing on IIUM’s initiatives as a sustainable campus. This week highlighted how institutions, especially universities, play a vital role in promoting sustainability, not only through policies but through student participation and on-campus practices. The session encouraged me to reflect on how I, as a student, can become an agent of change, integrating SDG goals with Islamic principles to serve both the environment and society. Reflection on Campus Sustainability Our fieldwork and observations showed that IIUM is not just a green campus but one striving for holistic sustainability. Sustainability was reflected in many on-campus programs, such as solar energy initiatives, food waste composting, e-bike sharing, and the myTREEvolution project, which supports tree-planting efforts. The ...

Individual Reflection Report  Week 8 – The Role of Institutions in Sustainable Introduction The Week 8 lecture on the Roles of Institutions in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offered insightful understanding into how national, regional, and global institutions collaborate to achieve the 2030 Agenda, especially focusing on SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This reflection explores how institutions—from global UN bodies to our own national systems—play crucial roles in guiding sustainable development, and how Islamic principles can enhance these efforts to ensure just, peaceful, and accountable societies. Reflection on the Role of Institutions in Sustainable Development One of the major takeaways from this lesson is the realization that sustainable development is not possible without strong, transparent, and inclusive institutions. These institutions form the backbone of development policies, data monitoring, ...

Individual Reflection Report: Week 7 – Challenges to Sustainable Development   Introduction Week 7’s lecture critically explored the multifaceted challenges facing the global pursuit of sustainable development. Through an integrated lens of social, economic, and environmental dimensions, the session revealed the structural and systemic barriers that hinder equity, resilience, and long-term sustainability. By examining real-world data, inequity narratives, and Islamic principles, the class emphasized that overcoming these challenges requires a shift in mindset, policy, and values at all levels of society—including the individual, institutional, and global. Key Learning Points The lecture identified several general and specific challenges to sustainability, including: Inequities in access to basic needs such as education, healthcare, food, and clean water. Climate change and energy , resource depletion , and environmental degradation . Economic maldevelopment , overcons...

Individual Reflection: The Role of Universities in Sustainable Development Through an Islamic Perspective Introduction This week’s lecture on “Roles of Universities in Sustainable Development” was a profound reminder of the multifaceted responsibilities of higher education institutions in today’s complex and rapidly evolving world. It challenged the conventional understanding of universities as mere academic producers and instead presented them as dynamic agents of ethical leadership, community engagement, and societal transformation. Key Learning Points The presentation introduced a transformative framework by Royal Professor Tan Sri Dr. Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, emphasizing that true Islamic education is holistic—integrating intellectual, moral, and spiritual dimensions. In his view, education should not only transfer knowledge but also build character, conscience, and accountability to Allah (SWT). These ideas align with Islamic principles and the Falsafah Pendidikan Kebang...

Class Reflection: Sejahtera as a Local Concept of Sustainable Development In Week 5, we explored the concept of  Sejahtera , a unique local value deeply rooted in the Malaysian context and closely aligned with both the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Islamic teachings.  Sejahtera  transcends material well-being; it emphasizes holistic harmony across physical, emotional, spiritual, and societal domains. According to Kamus Dewan, it means "peaceful, prosperous, and safe," and it aligns well with the SDG’s overarching goals of ending poverty, ensuring well-being, promoting peace, and protecting the environment. One of the key takeaways was how  Sejahtera  encourages balance in all aspects of life— intellectual, spiritual, emotional, cultural, societal, and ecological . This is echoed in the  Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan (FPK) , which aims to produce balanced and harmonious individuals who contribute to the betterment of family, society, and nation. S...

Class Reflection – Week 4: International Framework of Sustainable Development, SDGs & Islamic Values This week’s class provided a comprehensive overview of the international efforts and frameworks that have shaped the global sustainable development agenda. From the 1972 Stockholm Conference to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, and the eventual formation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2016, I learned that sustainability is a long-standing global concern, not just a modern trend. It was enlightening to see how international cooperation, through frameworks like the Kyoto Protocol and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has evolved to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion. What was most meaningful for me was the introduction of the Sejahtera concept as a local and Islamic lens for interpreting sustainability. Unlike the purely economic or policy-driven nature of global agreements, Sejahtera encompasses spiritual, ...

Class Reflection – Week 3: Maqasid al-Shariah and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) This week’s class on Maqasid al-Shariah offered a profound insight into how Islamic teachings align with and support modern sustainable development. I learned that the core objectives of Islamic law — the protection of religion (din), life (nafs), intellect (‘aql), lineage (nasl), and property (mal) — are not only spiritual and moral imperatives, but also deeply practical frameworks for ensuring human well-being and sustainability. What was particularly eye-opening was the direct connection between Maqasid al-Shariah and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While the SDGs are secular in origin, many of their aims — such as eradicating poverty, ensuring quality education, promoting peace and justice, and protecting the environment — mirror the goals of Shariah. For instance: Preservation of life (nafs) aligns with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 16: Peace, Justic...

Reflection: SCSH 1201 Week 2 – Islam, Maqasid al-Shariah & Sustainable Development What I learned: This week’s topic deepened my understanding of how Islam inherently promotes sustainability. I learned that Islam’s view of development is not solely material or economic but also deeply spiritual and ethical. The principles of Tawhid and Khilafah form the basis for human responsibility towards the Earth, aligning well with the modern concept of sustainable development. Islam teaches that we must balance social justice, environmental protection, and economic fairness—principles rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Why I learned it: This knowledge is essential because as Muslims and future leaders, we are called to be stewards of the Earth ( Khalifah ). Understanding that sustainability is a religious obligation helps me see that our faith supports global efforts like the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It also prepares me to think about development not just through a secular lens,...

Week 1 Reflection Report SCSH 1201: Sustainable Development (Section 4) Reflection on Week 1 (4 March 2025) Self-Study & Lecture Overview In Week 1, we were introduced to the foundational concepts of Sustainable Development (SD) through various activities including watching a YouTube video, reviewing lecture slides, and joining a Padlet Ta’aruf activity. The lecture by Prof. Dr. Suhaimi Mhd. Sarif provided an in-depth understanding of the definition, principles, and history of SD. We explored how sustainability relates to balancing environmental, economic, and social factors, and how systems thinking can be applied to solve global challenges. Key Lessons from the Lecture Definition of Sustainable Development Sustainable Development is defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland Report, 1987). It requires the integration of environmental, social, and economic factors in policy-m...