Prof. İbrahim Özdemir, faculty member at the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Üsküdar University, delivered the opening speech titled “Islam and the Climate Crisis” at the Ulil Albab International Conference on Islam, Environment, and Technologies (UAICIET 2025) organized by the Faculty of Islamic Studies at Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII). In his address, he explored the theological and ethical dimensions of the climate crisis.
Prof. İbrahim Özdemir, who also serves as Vice President of the American Islamic College, took part in the event as the keynote speaker, representing Üsküdar University at this significant international academic platform.
“The climate crisis is a matter of moral responsibility”
In his speech titled “Islamic Studies and the Theological and Ethical Dimensions of the Climate Crisis: Toward a New Eco-Theology,” Prof. İbrahim Özdemir emphasized that Islamic theology and religious studies must be restructured on moral, spiritual, and civilizational grounds to confront climate change, which he described as the most serious crisis in human history.
He stated that the climate crisis is not only a scientific or political issue but also a crisis of moral awareness and responsibility. Prof. Özdemir highlighted that the principles of mizan (balance), adl (justice), and rahmah (mercy), as outlined in the Qur’an, represent the essential moral foundations for protecting the Earth.
“Green Islam” as a Model of Leadership
Prof. Özdemir spoke about his long-standing academic collaborations with environmental movements in Indonesia and praised the country’s leadership in environmental awareness through its “Green Islam” approach. He described the Indonesian Ulema Council’s (MUI) 2023 Fatwa No. 86, which classifies global warming as fasād fī al-arḍ (corruption on Earth), as a theological milestone. He also commended institutions such as Green Istiqlal Mosque and Daarul ‘Uluum Lido for serving as practical examples of Islamic environmental ethics.
A Call for a New Eco-Theology
Drawing inspiration from thinkers such as Al-Ghazali, Said Nursi, and Thomas Berry, Prof. Özdemir called for “a new story” grounded in life, responsibility, and compassion, an eco-theology that speaks to the spirit of our time.
“Islamic studies must once again become a realm of cosmic imagination,” he said. “Scholars, jurists, and poets should work together to write humanity’s next sacred story, a story of belonging, balance, and gratitude.”
He invited Muslim educators and academics to integrate Qur’anic cosmology, environmental ethics, and sustainability principles into their curricula, research, and community engagement. He emphasized that such renewal could transform faith into a moral force for global ecological justice.
About Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII)
Founded in 1945, Universitas Islam Indonesia is one of the oldest private universities in Indonesia. Known for integrating Islamic scholarship with modern sciences, UII enjoys international recognition in research, environmental awareness, and ethics. The Faculty of Islamic Studies plays a leading role in interdisciplinary studies that explore the relationship between faith, morality, and sustainability.