Contents of the Leuser Declaration
Allah Almighty has created the earth and all its contents for the benefit of your lives… (QS Al Baqarah: 29)
Indeed, the natural environment and its ecosystems are creations of Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala to be utilized for the safety and welfare of humanity. Therefore, the natural environment, along with its ecosystems, and the biological and non-biological resources contained therein, must be preserved, protected, and their sustainability strived for.
The Leuser Ecosystem, with all its biological and non-biological resources, germplasm, flora, fauna, and ecological functions, belongs to Allah entrusted to human hands and is one of the treasures of the Indonesian nation of immense value. Its integrity and sustainability must be maintained.
The Indonesian Ulema Council of the Special Region of Aceh Province, the Aceh Customary and Cultural Institution, and the Regional Education Council of the Special Region of Aceh Province, as community institutions of the Special Region of Aceh, after holding a Muzakarah (Deliberation Meeting) on Natural Resource Conservation and Management of the Leuser Ecosystem for Human Welfare on August 12-13, 1997, in Banda Aceh, formulated the Leuser Declaration as follows:
The Leuser Ecosystem, along with all the natural resources contained within and within its environment, belongs to the Indonesian people and must be protected and preserved as a trust from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala and entrusted to future generations.
All Ulama (Islamic scholars), traditional leaders, community leaders, and the general public are obligated and responsible to make every effort to maintain, save, protect, and preserve the Leuser Ecosystem in its entirety.
Policies and actions regarding the utilization of natural resources found and contained in the Leuser Ecosystem must be based on religious principles and applicable legal provisions, as well as scientific principles and the customary and cultural values of the surrounding communities.
We, the Ulama, Traditional Leaders, and Community Leaders of the Special Region of Aceh Province:
Prof. Tgk. Ali Hasimy, Prof. Dr. Syamsuddin Mahmud, H. Bustanil Arifin, H. Teuku Djohan, H. A.R. Ramly, Tgk. H. Sofyan Hamzah, Prof. Teuku Syamsuddin, Prof. Dr. Dayan Dawood, MA, Dr. Safwan Idris, MA, Tgk. H. Ibrahmi Kaoy, Prof. Dr. M. Ali Basyah Amin, MA, H. Sayed Mudhahar Ahmad, Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Hasan
