This book contains guidance for the socialization of MUI Fatwa Number 4 of 2014 concerning Fatwa on the Preservation of Rare Animals to Maintain Ecosystem Balance.

Author Team: Dr. Hayu S. Prabowo, M.Hum, Dr. Fachruddin Mangunjaya, MSi, Drs. Salahuddin Al Ayyubi, MSi, Mifta Huda, S. Pd.I, M.E.Sy, Abdurrahman Hilabi, S.Pd, M.Pd.I
Pages: 100 Pages
Publisher : Indonesian Ulema Council

Indonesia is one of the countries that has rich biodiversity in the world. Therefore our country earned the nickname Mega Biodiversity Country. This gift must be taken care of properly, by protecting and preserving biodiversity to prevent extinction in Indonesia. As a country with a majority Muslim population, the conservation message is conveyed by conveying Islamic values which state that humans are responsible and have a mandate in maintaining and protecting biodiversity. This is one of the effective ways to invite people to participate in protecting and preserving the environment.

The issue of environmental damage has actually been voiced for a long time, namely since the 1990s, but this has not been done massively. The cause of the environmental damage that occurs is the lack of knowledge and public awareness about the environment. This is reflected in the rampant poaching and trade of animals. These activities eventually lead to animal extinction. Many people still believe that the rarer the animal, the more expensive it will be, making the practice of poaching and animal trade even worse and seem to agree with the extinction of species. In fact, each animal has its own ecological role and function in the ecosystem chain. If one animal species becomes extinct, this will have an impact on the destruction of the ecosystem and the food chain cycle in a sustainable manner, which can lead to the extinction of other species.

Religious approaches have proven effective in raising awareness of many things. Concerns based on religious beliefs are believed to have a stronger and more permanent footing, and are more consistent in their implementation. For this reason, this approach can be used in efforts to raise public awareness and concern in protecting animals and the environment.

One of the media that can be used to convey messages about conservation is through the pulpit of the khutbah, especially the Friday khutbah. As a country with a majority Muslim population, Friday prayers are the perfect time to deliver messages and advice to the public to contribute to saving the environment. Every male Muslim who has reached puberty and does not have a Shar'I excuse is required to pray Jumu'ah, where the Jumu'ah sermon is one of a series of Jumu'ah prayers. The message about protecting animals can be conveyed by the Friday khatib during the khutbah. The message about the preservation of endangered animals for the balance of the ecosystem, is considered strategic to foster public awareness of the importance of protecting animals.

Based on the above considerations, WWF-Indonesia in collaboration with the Center for Islamic Studies (PPI) of the National University, compiled the book Collection of Friday Khutbah: Rare Animal Conservation for Ecosystem Balance. This book can provide direction on how and what should be done by humans so that the existence of wildlife can be maintained and can carry out their respective ecological functions. This collection of Friday sermons also provides guidance on how Islamic teachings encourage human beings to behave well towards animals. This book can be a good reference for preachers in delivering sermons about preserving animals and ecosystems.