Preserving the delicate balance

Today marks the second anniversary of the tsunami that devastated much of Southeast Asia, South Asia and parts of Africa. Malaysia was not spared as parts of the west coast of the Peninsular was hit as well. Perhaps, in modern history, the country has never seen such a devastation.

On this second anniversary of the tsunami, Malaysia - especially the southern part of the Peninsular - is still reeling from the aftermath of the big floods. As people are taking stock of their losses, more floods are forecasted unfortunately. While floods are almost the norm during the monsoon season especially in the east coast, this year's floods are extraordinary and caught many people unprepared. Many people are saying that the floods are a result of global warming. For instance, Martin Khor's piece in The Star certainly hit the nail on its head.

I, for one, am inclined to believe that whatever that is happening (not just in Malaysia, by the way), is our own doing, albeit indirectly. Just look at the problems around the world such as the floods and landslides in Indonesia, and the thick fog in London, just citing a couple of examples. The climate imbalance may not just be in the form of catastrophes, but also welcome changes in the weather. My former lecturer in Glasgow, John Galloway, wrote to me saying that this year's winter in Scotland has been pretty warm, which is much to the liking of the Scots.

It would probably be somewhat morbid to assume that more catastrophes as a result of global warming are on the way. Like it or not, we have to be ready for the worst. Everything in this world has been created in perfect balance and harmony by the Almighty Creator. Upset this delicate balance, and we'll end up at the receiving end of nature's wrath. What is happening now may well be the result of our own doing for the past many decades.

I believe the following excerpt from an article I wrote which appeared in the book, New Knowledge: Research and Development in the Muslim World (2004) would best conclude this blog's entry as a reminder to us all:

All natural resources and creations of God on this planet are made for mankind to utilise and develop for the betterment of this world... Man is capable of free action to utilise all resources that may achieve individual and collective perfectness... However, Islam underlines the importance of utilising technology with great care and caution so as to avoid destruction, as stated in the following verse (Surah al-Rum: 41), to the effect that: 'Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned, that (God) may give them a taste of some of their deeds, in order that they may turn back (from evil).'

[pg. 161]