Indonesian Muslims urged to emulate Prophet Muhammad's environmental care amid global crises

In Serang, Banten, Indonesia, environmental groups, students, and local government officials joined forces to clear accumulated trash from the Cibanten River. This initiative, coinciding with World Environment Day 2026, aimed to preserve nature and promote environmental stewardship.

The effort also serves as a reminder of the Prophet Muhammad's teachings on environmental care, particularly as Indonesia prepares to celebrate Maulid Nabi (the Prophet's birthday) in August. The article frames this environmental action within the context of the "triple planetary crises" of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, which are impacting all aspects of human life.

Historically, environmental movements gained momentum in the late 19th century as a reaction to industrial pollution, with a significant surge in the 1960s. The establishment of World Environment Day on June 5, 1972, by the UN General Assembly, stemming from the Stockholm Conference, further amplified global awareness of environmental issues like air pollution, plastic waste, and rising sea levels.

The author emphasizes that for Muslims, environmental consciousness is inseparable from the example of Prophet Muhammad, who is considered the "best role model" (uswatun hasanah) in all life aspects, including environmental care, as stated in the Quran.