Unstable economic conditions and the climate crisis are real threats to Indonesian society today. Amidst the threat of climate crisis, an initiative has emerged that combines spiritual values and concrete actions for the earth: MOSAIC (Muslims for Shared Action on Climate Impact). This collaborative movement was born from the realization that Islamic values teach its people to be good stewards and guardians of the earth for the mercy of the entire universe. Through an approach that touches on aspects of faith and sustainability, MOSAIC invites Indonesian Muslims to take part in the struggle for decarbonization and a just energy transition. One of the concrete forms that continues to be fought today is the Sedekah Energi program, which is an initiative that continues to bring renewable energy access to remote communities, especially places of worship, such as mosques.
The Sedekah Energi program has previously been successfully implemented in two areas. Al-Muharram Mosque, Bantul, Yogyakarta, and Al-Ummah Al-Islamiyah Mosque, Lombok. In early 2025, the Sedekah Energi Program successfully illuminated the Al-Khoeriyah Mosque in Karyasari Village, Garut. Karyasari Village, located in Banyuresmi District, Garut Regency, West Java, was chosen as the inaugural location for the implementation of the 2025 Sedekah Energy program. This village is a representation of an area that is historically, socio-environmentally, and technically very relevant to being part of an effort to transition to equitable energy based on Islamic values.
This choice is not without good reason. Historically, Karyasari Village has traces of the struggle of Muslims since the colonial era. In local history, the village has the Cimareme Event as a symbol of the struggle of Islamic figures who once fought to bring social change and provide resistance to injustice. The legacy of this struggle is a strong moral foundation for the presence of a program that also carries the spirit of change: from dependence on dirty energy to clean energy that empowers.
From a social and environmental perspective, this village faces significant challenges in terms of welfare. According to the 2024 Village Profile of Karyasari, RW 001 specifically in the area of Al-Khoeriyah Mosque has the highest number of households classified as extremely poor in the village (91 households). Educational attainment also shows a gap, with RW 001 ranked among the bottom seven in terms of residents who have completed senior high school or its equivalent. The village is also categorized as having one of the highest stunting risk levels in Banyuresmi Subdistrict, with 60 cases recorded by BPS Garut in 2021. Amid these conditions, the majority of the population relies on agricultural labor, facing challenges related to nutrition, health, and economic empowerment.
Al-Khoeriyah Mosque, located in RW 001/RT 001, was chosen not only as a place of worship but also as a symbol of transformation. Through the Sedekah Energi program, the hope is that solar-powered electricity will not only light up the mosque but also ignite the flame of hope for a more just and sustainable future.
From a technical perspective, Karyasari Village also meets the eligibility criteria for renewable energy installation. The estimated average Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) at the mosque’s location reaches 1,237.3 kWh/m² per year, indicating strong and stable solar energy potential. In addition, the area is relatively safe from major natural disasters, and the mosque’s infrastructure is suitable for installing a solar energy system. This system is expected not only to supply the mosque’s electricity needs but also to power water pumps and street lighting and meet daily energy demands at the Manbaul Ulum Islamic Boarding School.
Not only that, clean energy will also support the greenhouse of the tilapia aquaponic farming pond as part of the sustainable local economic empowerment in Karyasari Village.
This program is also a collaboration with Rumah Amal Salman (RAS) Garut, a private institution that is actively involved in community empowerment and has made Karyasari Village one of its assisted villages. Together with MOSAIC and partners, RAS is driving this program to ensure that Sedekah Energi is not just a technical project but also a spiritual and social movement.
This is not just a technical achievement; it is clear evidence that collaboration between faith, knowledge, and charity can produce impactful change. From a small village at the foot of the Garut mountains, the light of renewable energy now illuminates more than just a place of worship; it can ignite hope, ignite a spirit of empowerment, and be an example of how Islam and sustainability can go hand in hand. What makes this program special is that it was made possible by donations and contributions from individuals in Indonesia who care about the future of a just energy transition. This is a collective movement of people to step together towards a more just, clean, and sustainable earth.
