Kota Semarang (Humas) – The Kemenag Semarang has embarked on an ambitious social campaign dubbed "Klangenan" (Ministry of Religion Cares for Food and Environment) with the express purpose of enhancing environmental awareness among the community.
Over the course of nearly one week, from February 17 to February 20, 2025, Islamic counselors from the Kemenag Semarang tirelessly promoted the Klangenan program through various socialization efforts across Semarang. This initiative aims to change public behavior, encouraging them to adopt more environmentally friendly practices through the promotion of the 3Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle.
During the outreach efforts, community members were urged to start opting for environmentally friendly materials and to diminish their use of plastic. The counselors also encouraged them to separate waste materials and showed them how to process garbage simply, turning waste like used plastic bottles and cups back to useful items, such as plant pots and food covers.
The Klangenan program not only seeks to reduce waste production but also harbors economic potential. Counselors are providing training on how to turn waste products like plastic bottles and food scraps beneficially, enabling the wealth of knowledge to be transferred to the citizens of Semarang. One project involves making eco-enzymes, compost, and utilizing maggots for waste processing, all aimed at nurturing cleaner and greener living spaces.
On February 20, 2025, Islamic counselors Siti Wachidah and Hasanah Hidayah held a workshop focused on empowering women, teaching them how to create homemade dish soap from discarded plastic bottles at the Majelis Taklim Darussalam center located at RT 5 RW 2, Kel. Tambakaji, Kec. Ngaliyan. After delivering the thematic talk titled “Cleanliness Is Part of Faith,” the duo guided enthusiastic women through the soap-making process.
Wachidah emphasized the necessity of dish soap, which is integral to everyday life—be it at home, offices, kitchens, or restaurants. "This is something unavoidable, and by focusing on producing it ourselves, not only can we save money, but there’s also significant potential for economic benefits by scaling production," she stated.
Participants enthusiastically took to the training, bringing along buckets, mixers, water, and even used plastic bottles for the soap. The repurposing of plastic waste drew praise from Wachidah, who reiterated its role within the Klangenan initiative, stating, "What you all are doing, by utilizing waste plastic bottles as soap packaging, is very much aligned with the aim of our program, which promotes environmental consciousness and resourcefulness."
Hasanah Hidayah, who coordinated the event, stated, "This training will take place at various locations across 16 districts within the city, aiming to engage the broader community."
The Klangenan initiative is significant as it aims to shape the community's attitudes and habits toward environmental sustainability through education and practical workshops, thereby fostering not only cleaner surroundings but also economic opportunities through resource utilization.
Through such efforts, Kemenag Semarang is paving the way for a more responsible community, poised to reimagine waste as resources and adopt sustainable practices diligently. The programs signify not just the importance of cleanliness and sustainability, but also the empowerment of individuals to take part actively in creating real change.