RCE Central Semenanjung - 2021

Transforming The Role of Surau Academy of Islamic Studies Universiti Malaya for Campus Sustainability Through 'Imarah Green Project' (2021)
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Transforming The Role of Surau Academy of Islamic Studies Universiti Malaya for Campus Sustainability Through 'Imarah Green Project' (2021)
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Central Semenanjung
Contributing organization(s) : 
• UM Eco-Campus Secretariat & Living Labs (2018 – 2019) / UM Sustainability & Living Labs Secretariat (2020)
• Academy of Islamic Studies (APIUM) Universiti Malaya (since 2016)
• Department of Development & Estate Maintenance (JPPHB)
• Faculty of Engineering UM
• Faculty of Science UM
• UM Residential Colleges
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Dr. Asmawati Muhamad
Organizational Affiliation: 
Universiti Malaya (Academy of Islamic Studies)
Name: 
Mohd Fadhli Rahmat Fakri
Organizational Affiliation: 
Universiti Malaya (UMCares - EcoCampus)
Format of project: 
Powerpoint, Audiovisual, Guideline
Language of project: 
Malay, English, Arabic
Date of submission:
Friday, October 15, 2021
UM Eco-Campus Blueprint (UMECB) - since 2016: Core Area 7 on Education (Environment and Climate Change)
At what level is the policy operating?: 
Local
Pelan Pengimarahan Masjid-Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan 2020 - 2024
At what level is the policy operating?: 
National
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Country: 
Malaysia
Location(s): 
Kuala Lumpur
Address of focal point institution for project: 
Academy of Islamic Studies
Universiti Malaya
Ecosystem(s):
Target Audience:
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
Started with a normal surau setting, most of the utility bill from water usage and electricity has not become topic of discussion. With the introduction and integration of Imarah Green Project to Surau of Academy of Islamic Studies UM (APIUM), the team has managed to integrate and embedded several sustainability features with the aim to transform the surau into eco-surau – one of its kind and first in the University.

Water and electricity savings, installation of LED lightings, Rainwater Harvesting System (RWH) with Ultraviolet filtration to treat water to be used for ablution, organic backyard garden of the Surau, sustainability poster board for awareness, continuous awareness and educational program, the Surau of APIUM is now a model of an eco-surau to be replicated to other mosques with the partnership of Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) and Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) via its agencies: Malaysia Green Technology & Climate Change Centre (MGTC) and National Water Management Commission (SPAN).
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
Sustainable development challenges the project addresses:
a) Education for Sustainable Development – by targeting the Muslim community (surau and mosque users), there is a greater need in translating the cultural knowledge from the Quran & Hadith teachings into real sustainability action and practices. This project aims to integrate and the link between Quran and hadith teachings with environmental and sustainability literacy.

b) Responsible consumption and production – by having Imarah Eco-Friends as ambassadors and active working groups comprises of both academicians and students to educate UM community and beyond on the importance of recycling, responsible consumption, waste separation at source, upcycling among others to address the issue of irresponsible consumption and waste mismanagement.
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Period: 
May, 2016
Rationale: 
The project initiated in 2016 has successfully embedded the sustainability element both in terms of hardware (physical infrastructure features) and software (guideline, training and awareness programs) for their targeted beneficiaries by transforming Surau of Academy of Islamic Studies (APIUM) into Eco-Surau in 2017/2018.

As the project grows over the years, the team has developed Garis Panduan Masjid Lestari Hijau (Green Sustainable Mosque Guidelines) with the partnership of Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) to expand the scope of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to respective communities beyond campus boundaries by targeting to educate and promote awareness on sustainable practices with the aims to transform mosques and surau in Federal Territory under JAWI.

In 2021, the Imarah Green Project has broadened the scope of partnership by receiving the support of the Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) through its agency: National Water Management Commission (SPAN) and Malaysia Green Technology & Climate Change Centre (MGTC).
Objectives: 
i. Implementing eco-mosque programme at selected mosques in accord with the Pelan Pengimarahan Masjid-masjid Wilayah Persekutuan.
ii. Inculcate sustainability awareness and eco-surau activism at all Surau Residential Colleges in UM.
iii. Promoting Lestari Shop services for communal benefits of UM community as well as outside society.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
Activities carried out:
i. Green practices: recycling, urban backyard garden, rainwater harvesting and water-saving initiative
ii. Capacity building programs: a) Mentor-Mentee Leadership Training Workshop for Imarah Eco-Friends Surau APIUM, b) Series of Sustainability Talks and Webinars: in collaboration with E-Maara TV team, Academy of Islamic Studies (APIUM)
iii. Knowledge Transfer: a) Eco-mosque induction workshop, b) eco-mosque practices webinar (in collaboration with JAWI & MGTC)
iv. Community Engagement: Waste separation and upcycling activities – Zero Waste Challenge to encourage public participation on recycling, Rainwater Harvesting System Maintenance (RWHS) maintenance, Gotong-royong / Cleanup of Backyard Garden Surau APIUM, Recycling of used cooking oil campaign, Eco-Bazaar @ Masjid in collaboration with Masjid Jamek al-Khadijiah for example
Size of academic audience: 
Within 5 years this project has successfully engaged with at least 1,250 academic audience internal and external community
Results: 
Implementation of eco-mosque programme at selected mosques as per the Pelan Pengimarahan Masjid-masjid Wilayah Persekutuan (a five-year plan aimed at expanding the role of mosques located in the federal territories and mobilising them to serve as local community centres providing various facilities to meet the psychosocial and spiritual needs of people from all walks of life which include sustainability and greening of the mosques).

Inculcate sustainability awareness and eco-surau activism at all Surau Residential Colleges in UM in particular the Surau Committees and students.

Continuously promoting Lestari Shop services for communal benefits of UM community as well as outside society by working together with respective mosques surrounding UM’s neighbourhood of Lembah Pantai area.
Lessons learned: 
Success factors:
i) The rising importance of ESD in promoting sustainable practices
ii) Benefits of transformation of ordinary mosque/surau into eco-mosque which goes beyond monetary savings but also benefiting the environmental sustainability and empowering the community through sustainable living and practices
iii) Support from the Government and University in taking up this initiative to be expanded beyond campus vicinity to reach out to larger beneficiaries
iv) Multi-stakeholders from different backgrounds both science and non-science give a more holistic and inclusive approach of combining Islamic teachings with science and technical knowledge and application.

Challenges:
i) financial sustainability to sustain the research project for the long term period
ii) MCO due to pandemic has shifted the physical engagement activities to virtual, most of the original plans to work with respective mosques community are delayed / some shifted to virtual mode.
Key messages: 
By promoting the motto of 'Be Green, Be Examplary', Imarah Green Project is a sustainable model of transforming both the physical and functional role of Surau or Mosque as an excellent centre for Education for Sustainable Development. With the strategic partnership of respective government agencies and the University's management, this project will expand and broaden the scope of its outreach to mosques and suraus within Federal Territories to inspire them with eco-mosque model with the aims to inculcate sustainability literacy while promoting socio-economic development while safeguarding environmental sustainability.
Funding: 
RM 149,492.00 (2016 – 2021) funded by Research University funding of Universiti Malaya
RM 30,000.00 (2021) funded by National Water Services Commission (SPAN) Malaysia c/o Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) and Malaysia Green Technology & Climate Change Centre (MGTC)

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon Lestari Shop 01.JPG (4.09 MB) Lestari Shop - one of the sustainability feature to promote responsible consumption through recycling & charity Imarah Eco-Friends Surau APIUM
Image icon Eco Free Market 02.JPG (175.99 KB) Eco Free Market - community engagement program to support the needy by donating used clothing, toys and other daily items with B40 Community Imarah Eco-Friends Surau APIUM
Image icon News IEF.PNG (1.67 MB) Imarah Green Project on the News Imarah Eco-Friends Surau APIUM
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere 
Indirect
SDG 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture 
Indirect
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Direct
SDG 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 
Indirect
SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation 
Indirect
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
Direct
SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 
Direct
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 
Direct
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss 
Indirect
SDG 16 - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 
Indirect
SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development 
Direct
Theme
Traditional Knowledge  
Direct
Arts 
Indirect
Curriculum Development 
Indirect
Ecotourism 
Indirect
Waste 
Direct
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 1 - Advancing policy 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Developing capacities of educators and trainers 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Direct
Update: 
No
I acknowledge the above: 
Yes