Ecotheology and Sharia Principles: The Role of Widyaiswara at the Aceh Religious Training Center (Balai Diklat Keagamaan Provinsi Aceh) in Strengthening Environmental Ethics among Training Participants
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This study investigates the integration of ecotheology and Sharia principles within the professional training programs of Balai Diklat Keagamaan Aceh, focusing on how Widyaiswara cultivate environmental ethics among government trainees. Using qualitative methods, including interviews, focus groups, and document analysis, the research identifies three interlinked domains influencing ethical formation: religious framing, instructional strategy, and behavioral reinforcement. Religious framing emerged as the most influential factor, as contextualizing environmental issues within Qur’anic teachings and prophetic guidance significantly strengthens pro-environmental attitudes. Instructional strategies, including experiential learning, reflective dialogue, and practical simulations, further enhance ethical understanding, though their application varies across modules. Behavioral reinforcement, while present, remains limited due to insufficient institutional support and follow-up mechanisms. The findings suggest that sustainable ethical transformation occurs when theological principles, pedagogical methods, and institutional practices function synergistically. The study highlights Aceh’s unique context, where Islamic identity and local governance intersect, offering opportunities for Widyaiswara to bridge religious duty with ecological responsibility. Recommendations include standardizing curriculum content, providing updated teaching resources, implementing institutional policies to support sustainable behavior, and conducting longitudinal research on training impacts. This research contributes empirically to the field of religious environmentalism by demonstrating how Islamic ethical frameworks can be operationalized in state educational institutions, offering practical and policy-relevant insights for enhancing environmental stewardship.
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