Turtles Get A Sermon On Their Behalf

In Malaysia turtles are getting support from local religious leaders. State deputy assistant commissioner of mosque administration Kamaruddin Muhamad said the sermon would also include threats to the environment and the importance of preserving it in line with Islamic teachings. Kamaruddin said a sermon on environmental conservation was delivered two years ago, but it did not touch on turtle conservation. Based on feedback, it was a success. "We found that the congregation became more environmentally sensitive after the sermon in 2006. We hope we can do the same for the turtles as they are under threat. "For now, it will be a one-off sermon, but we are willing to conduct more if necessary," he said. The sermon, to be read on Nov 21, follows the efforts by the Ma'Daerah Heritage Community Association (Mekar) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia to use mosques as a medium to spread the message of saving the turtles since last year. Mekar chairman Amran Salleh is ecstatic over the decision by the state religious department to use the association's text for the sermon. She said many Muslims were not aware that Islam preaches conservation of natural resources and hoped it would remind people on the matter. "The impact would be great. As a Muslim, I want to do something my religion asks me to do. "Conservation is in the Quran although it is not highlighted enough (in public)," she said. Get the whole story at http://www.nst.com.my