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Sustainable development requires a harmonization of modern global targets—epitomized by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030—with localized values rooted in faith, cultural heritage, and community traditions. In the Kingdom of Cambodia, where Muslims form an integrated minority comprising approximately 4 percent of the total national population of roughly 18.1 million people, Islamic educational institutions (Madrasas, community learning centers, and mosque-based schooling) serve as vital pillars for moral upbringing, social welfare, and grassroots empowerment. This paper explores how Islamic education in Cambodia can act as a catalyst for sustainable development by aligning spiritual values with socioeconomic initiatives, fostering interfaith harmony, promoting gender inclusivity and lifelong learning, and leveraging community-driven innovations to meet the SDGs by 2030.
