Doha, February 21 (QNA) - 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.

Available in English and Arabic, Semiotics of Nature: Recharging Nature with Meaning for Environmental Ethics and Action adds to the ongoing discourse on the role of ethics and values in shaping sustainable futures.

Drawing from Islamic teachings, the book emphasizes that nature possesses intrinsic value beyond its economic use, and that humans are entrusted with its care as stewards (khalīfah), not masters. Through this lens, it proposes practical ways to reconnect scientific knowledge with values and faith.

Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, Executive Director of Earthna, said that achieving true sustainability requires more than policies, technologies, or metrics, it requires ethics and values, adding that this digital book aligns deeply 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."

At the event, the author, Dr. Recep Şentürk, Dean of the College of Islamic Studies at HBKU, reflected on the book's chapters and central ideas, highlighting the urgent need to restore ethical and moral perspectives in guiding humanity's engagement with nature.

Dr. Recep Şenturk 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, focusing on how Islamic values are already being translated into initiatives that promote nature protection, responsible consumption, and sustainable development. The panel featured 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.

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, commented: "Earthna's collaboration with Dr. Reçep 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 brought together scholars, practitioners and institutional leaders for dialogue and knowledge exchange on sustainability from an Islamic perspective, reflecting Earthna's ongoing commitment to integrated ethical, cultural and policy-oriented approaches. The session concluded with a book-signing, allowing attendees to engage directly with the author. (QNA)