Doha: Qatar Foundation's (QF's) Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future (Earthna) and QF's Hamad Bin Khalifa University's (HBKU) College of Islamic Studies have officially launched their publication, *Semiotics of Nature: Recharging Nature with Meaning for Environmental Ethics and Action*, during a special event held at the ThinkBay Auditorium in Education City.
According to Qatar News Agency, the book, available in both English and Arabic, contributes to the ongoing discourse on the role of ethics and values in shaping sustainable futures. It draws from Islamic teachings to assert that nature holds intrinsic value beyond its economic use, emphasizing humanity's role as stewards (khalifah), rather than masters. The book proposes practical ways to reconnect scientific knowledge with values and faith.
Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, Executive Director of Earthna, highlighted that achieving true sustainability requires ethics and values beyond just policies, technologies, or metrics. He noted that this digital book aligns with Earthna's mission to integrate environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability. "By reconnecting scientific understanding with values and faith, it offers a holistic framework that supports the Qatar National Vision's aspiration for human, social, economic, and environmental development, ensuring prosperity that is both enduring and morally grounded," he stated.
During the event, Dr. Recep Sentrk, Dean of the College of Islamic Studies at HBKU, reflected on the book's chapters and central ideas, stressing the urgent need to restore ethical and moral perspectives in guiding humanity's engagement with nature. He commented, "Islamic shariah has high objectives such as protection of the human life. Yet protecting human life cannot be achieved without protecting nature. This view requires an understanding of the semiotics of nature to complement scientific study of nature."
A panel discussion followed, addressing how Islamic values are already being translated into initiatives that promote nature protection, responsible consumption, and sustainable development. The panel included Dr. Mutaz Al-Khatib, Associate Professor of Methodology and Ethics at the Research Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE) at HBKU, and Dr. Osman Umarji, Director of Global Data Studies at the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and Senior Consultant at QF. The panelists shared insights from their respective institutions and offered recommendations for future pathways to transform ethical principles into actionable knowledge and practice.
Ruba Hinnawi, Technical Lead at Earthna, remarked on the collaboration with Dr. Re§ep on the book, stating, "Earthna's collaboration with Dr. Re§ep on *The Semiotics of Nature* book emerges from a clear intellectual and ethical gap: the limited accessible resources that revives the meaning of nature and creation in Islam and its intrinsic relationship to ethical development and social justice."
The event fostered dialogue and knowledge exchange on sustainability from an Islamic perspective, bringing together scholars, practitioners, and institutional leaders. It concluded with a book-signing, allowing attendees to engage directly with the author.