Sejahtera as a Sustainability Concept

Ramadan Kareem, friends. This blessed week we will be dissecting the concept of Sejahtera through the lens of sustainability.

To start, we have to know the meaning of our subject matter. Sejahtera can be defined by the dictionary meaning of prosperous, happy and peaceful, or it could have the deeper, more multilayered meaning of a state of holistic and integrated wellbeing consisting of success, happiness, security and balance in this world and in the hereafter.

I think its well understood that Sejahtera is a concept that's open to interpretation, instead of a set of rules to fit a specific situation. The concept of Sejahtera, for me, has always been tied with the root meaning of that word in it's native language. Malaysians say 'Salam Sejahtera' to everyone, regardless of race or religion, as a beautiful way of wishing them well in their lives, no matter the differences. So to me, the term Sejahtera connotates with harmony, or peace. It is with great joy that I find the term being used more widely now, because it really is a beautiful word that could illustrate different layers of meaning. 

It's also really fitting that the term be tied with the concept of sustainability, as sustainability is all about peace and finding balance in this world and in the world hereafter. 

Moving on, we can now look at how can the concept can be used to support a sustainable way of living. 

 Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, the honorable rector, provided an explanation on the concept of Sejahtera that he wishes to enforce. He defined the traits as per below:

Spiritual balance.

Physically balance.

Intellectual balance.

Culture 

Ecology, Economy. Ethics

Society.

Therefore to have a balance of all those traits are the true vision of the concept of Sejahtera. In short, Sejahtera is merely a sustainable development concept, but modified by local customs and perceptions. To really embrace the concept of Sejahtera in Sustainable Development, we must, as always, go back to our spirituality. In which the Quran states;

إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا

Verily, Allah is every watchful over you.

Surat al-Nisa’ 4:1

As a passing gift, I leave you with an iconic song that somehow relates to our topic today (sort of).