Bedër University College Tirana

I am honored to coordinate the project "Facing Global Challenges: Environmental and Peace Education in Interreligious Cooperation for Teacher Training" in Albania. This project represents a profound and essential mission for the future of our society—educating new generations about the importance of environmental protection and fostering peace through interreligious dialogue. In a world increasingly affected by climate change and social conflicts, education is the most powerful tool we have to create a fairer and more sustainable future. As the coordinator of this project in Albania, I feel a deep responsibility to contribute to the preparation of teachers who will serve as role models and leaders in shaping young minds with values of tolerance, respect, and responsibility — toward both nature and one another. I strongly believe that interreligious cooperation is a key factor in building a peaceful and inclusive society. Our diversity should not be seen as a division but as a strength, enabling us to learn from one another and work together to tackle common challenges. Through this project, I am committed to promoting dialogue, understanding, and collaboration among different communities, with education as a transformative force at its core. This journey is not just professional but also personal. I firmly believe that each of us has a role to play in building a better world and that change starts with education and our everyday actions. With this project, I hope to contribute to better education, a healthier environment, and a more united society. I am highly motivated to dedicate myself to the success of this project and to collaborate with everyone who shares the vision of a more sustainable and peaceful world.

"He (God) set up the balance (al-mīzān) so that you may not exceed the balance. Weigh with justice and do not fall short in the balance. And the earth He has spread out for all living creatures" (Qur’an 55:7-10) As a Muslim scholar and educator, I deeply resonate with this divine message, which calls upon us to act as responsible stewards of the Earth. Environmental preservation is not only a scientific and social obligation but also a moral and spiritual duty. My academic and professional journey has been shaped by a commitment to education, interfaith dialogue, and social responsibility , principles that align with the core objectives of this project. For over a decade, I have worked in educational management, dedicating my career to exploring how values shape human behavior. I strongly believe that value-based education is essential in fostering environmental awareness. Moreover, an interreligious ethical approach to environmental education can inspire younger generations to embrace sustainability as a shared moral responsibility. This project presents a valuable opportunity to develop innovative educational strategies that promote interfaith and intercultural collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.

My interest in interfaith and environmental teaching stems from my research on ecotheology during my master’s thesis. While deeply familiar with my Islamic faith, I realized that I had not fully considered the significance of khalifa—the concept of stewardship in Islam. This revelation led me to recognize a broader issue: environmental protection is often overlooked within many religious communities, including my own. This realization sparked a strong personal motivation to take action. I believe that faith traditions have the potential to be powerful drivers of environmental responsibility, yet this aspect is rarely emphasized in religious education. Engaging in this Erasmus + project offers an opportunity to bridge the gap between faith and ecological consciousness, fostering a shared responsibility for our planet across different religious traditions. By participating in this initiative, I aim to contribute to meaningful discussions, learn from other perspectives, and develop strategies that integrate environmental ethics into interfaith education. I see this as an essential step toward inspiring communities to embrace their role as caretakers of the Earth, united by shared values of responsibility and sustainability.

Having studied Islamic Sciences and Religious Studies, I recognize the profound ethical responsibility that religions carry in addressing the climate crisis. The Qur’an reminds us, “Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of what people’s hands have wrought, so that He may let them taste some of what they have done, that perhaps they will return” (Qur’an 30:41). This verse underscores the direct consequences of human actions on the environment, urging us toward responsible stewardship of the Earth. Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized environmental care, stating, “Do not waste water, even if you perform ablution on the banks of a flowing river” (Ibn Majah). My engagement in the Facing Global Challenges: Environmental and Peace Education in Interreligious Cooperation for Teacher Training project aligns deeply with these principles. I believe that integrating interreligious dialogue with environmental and peace education is essential in shaping future educators who will become multipliers of ethical responsibility and sustainability. Through interdisciplinary and international collaboration, we can develop strategies that not only raise awareness but also inspire concrete action. The theme of water is particularly significant, as it is universally regarded as a sacred and life-giving element in all faith traditions. By working together, we can empower educators to instill environmental ethics and interfaith cooperation in their students, fostering a future rooted in peace, justice, and sustainability.