Spirituality as Missing Component in SDG

 

SOUTH KOREA

-        Gross domestic product GDP: 1.619 trillion USD (2018) World Bank👍

-        One of the best healthcare in the world according to OECD. and rated as the second most 👍efficient healthcare system by Bloomberg

-        South Korea was also nominated as the most educated country in the world by OECD👍.

-        South Korea has an excellent social welfare system👍

-        South Korean government has invested million into renewable energy👍

DESPITE THAT,

South Korea has the highest suicide rate among the members of OECD. According to OECD, its suicide rate per 100000 people is 24.6 in 2019👎

Organization for Economic

Co-operation and Development, 2017

P/s: Sorry, if the picture is too small. I tried editing it to be bigger but failed miserably👵 But doesn't matter as we want to focus on South Korea, the tallest bar in the chart representing the highest suicide rate among the member of OECD

Why? Even though South Korea has achieved better than another country in accomplishing SDG goals by 2030, but the surprisingly high numbers of suicide represent something is lacking. From an Islamic view, South Korea doesn't put the spirituality aspect altogether in their country's development. The same goes for SDG, in which spirituality is regarded as a missing component that should work hand in hand with other elements. 

Sustainable Development Goals under 

Islamic Law:-

Islamic law is revelation of Almighty Allah revealed to the last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for betterment of human beings in both worlds. Holy Al-Quran and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are 2 main basic sources of Islamic law. Islam is the only religion of Almighty Allah as Almighty Allah states, "Truly, the religion with Almighty Allah is Islam",(Ali Imran [3]: 19). And He also states, "Whoever seeks religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from Him" (Ali Imran [3]: 85).

Verses of Holy Al-Quran dealing with conduct of human beings are classified into faith, character, worship, transactions, offences and their punishments. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) explained verses of Holy Al-Quran through his sayings, practices and by aggreging on practices of his companions. SDGs are required to be achieved by 2030 for continuous sustainability and economic growth in the world. Islamic law emphasizes on economic growth by providing proper economic system for achieving continuous sustainability in the world. 

Objectives of Islamic law includes 

(i) Preservation of religion, 

(ii) Preservation of life,

(iii) Preservation of intellect, 

(iv) Preservation of progeny, 

(v) Preservation of wealth

After studying SDGs and reviewing verses of Holy Al-Quran and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), it is conferred that SDGs come under objectives of Islamic law and has been explained comprehensively way back 1400 year ago by Almighty Allah in Holy Al-Quran and by Prophet Muhammad PBUH in his traditions. 

SDGs require member states to:-

 (i) Create peace, provide justice and establish strong institutions by reducing violence, resolving conflicts, strengthening rule of law and promoting human rights

(ii) Reduce inequality by economic growth through inclusion of all without discrimination as to sex, race, place of birth

(iii) End all forms of discrimination and exploitation against women by eradicating sexual violence

(iv) Achieve global health by curing AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and provide public access to safe and affordable medicines

(v) Provide quality education to all by eliminating gender inequality and wealth disparity

(vi) Provide public access to affordable pure drinking water and sanitation

(vii) Provide public access to affordable electricity

(viii) Create efficient disaster management cell for tsunami, earthquake, tropical cyclone and flooding

(ix) Invest in infrastructure, innovation and scientific research by providing equal access of information and knowledge to public

(x) Protect life under water by reducing pollution

(xi) Protect rivers, mountains, wetland, dryland and forests

(xii) Create sustainable cities by investing in safe and affordable houses, public transport, green public places and settlement of slums

 (xiii) Create effective system of production, consumption, disposing off and recycling goods

(xiv) Create productive job opportunities for all without discrimination as to sex, race, ethnicity

(xv) Eradicate poverty by providing pure and affordable drinking water, food and sanitation to public

(xvi) End hunger and malnutrition by providing nutritious food to children, supporting farmers having equal access to land, technology and market to increase agriculture productivity for economic growth

(xvii)To promote international trade by helping developing countries to increase exports, achieve sustainable development and liberalize trade from government intervention