Sean Augustin, The New Straits Times 15 Nov 08;
KUALA TERENGGANU: Come next Friday, 482 mosques statewide will preach about turtle conservation in a bid to raise awareness on the species. State deputy assistant commissioner of mosque administration Kamaruddin Muhamad said the sermon would also include threats to the environment and the importance of preserving it in line with Islamic teachings.
Kamaruddin said a sermon on environmental conservation was delivered two years ago, but it did not touch on turtle conservation. Based on feedback, it was a success.
"We found that the congregation became more environmentally sensitive after the sermon in 2006. We hope we can do the same for the turtles as they are under threat.
"For now, it will be a one-off sermon, but we are willing to conduct more if necessary," he said.
The sermon, to be read on Nov 21, follows the efforts by the Ma'Daerah Heritage Community Association (Mekar) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia to use mosques as a medium to spread the message of saving the turtles since last year.
Mekar also prepared the text for the sermon with help from the Islamic Understanding Institute of Malaysia.
Formed in 2004, Mekar is a local community group aimed at raising awareness among locals on turtle conservation.
The initial project focused on three fishing communities in Kertih, Paka and Kemasik.
In June, a one-day workshop was organised with imam from various mosques attending to learn how to integrate turtle conservation messages in their ceramah, Maghrib lectures and Friday sermons.
Mekar chairman Amran Salleh is ecstatic over the decision by the state religious department to use the association's text for the sermon.
"We did not expect this to happen. We are happy to receive support and happier still knowing the whole state is going to hear it.
"I really hope the people will get the message we are trying to put across.
"I can't wait for next Friday. I wish more environment-themed sermons can be held in future," he said.
WWF Terengganu Turtle Programme team leader Rahayu Zulkifli said this was good news for the environment as people would take a religious call seriously.
She said many Muslims were not aware that Islam preaches conservation of natural resources and hoped it would remind people on the matter.
"The impact would be great. As a Muslim, I want to do something my religion asks me to do.
"Conservation is in the Quran although it is not highlighted enough (in public)," she said.
See also Mosques Support Sea Turtle Conservation in Malaysia by Nathan Brouwer, on mongabay.com 17 Nov 08
