Many Muslims fast during Ramadan from the pre-dawn prayer fajr until sunset or later into the evening. Many Muslims gather together for iftar to break the fast. With More than 4 million MuslimsYou can already see that there are many iftars in America. However, sometimes iftars can come with a lot waste. If you are feeding large groups of people, it is necessary to have a lot more disposable silverware and other serving items. A group of 15 Muslims from Washington, D.C. decided in 2007 to throw an eco-friendly Iftar.
They didn’t think it would become a national organization. That one meal was the foundation of Green Muslims, an organization that aims to see Muslims living in the environmental spirit and striving for environmental stewardship and connection with the natural world. It started as a series iftars, zero-waste potlucks, dubbed leftars. Instead of preparing elaborate meals using paper plates and cups to serve everyone at the table, the leftars encouraged people not to use leftovers from previous events and to bring reusable utensils. To eat with.
The events were a big success. According to Green Muslimss website they had five times more attendees at their subsequent leftars than the first. It was clear that Muslims in D.C. wanted to be involved with environmental efforts. It is evident that sustainability messages are prevalent in Islamic texts. From the Quran, to individual hadiths. Green scriptureIt is plentiful. Despite all this, the climate movement has not been able to reach Muslim communities. Climate movements have been historically ExcludedCommunities of color, such as a comprehensive reportAs illustrated last year, many Muslims belong to these communities.
Green Muslims has been a pioneer in environmental activism and has organized events since its inception. The organization hosts youth speakers and offers educational materials such as tips and tricks. hosting your own zero-waste iftar. Earth Day falls this year during Ramadan. Mic spoke with Sofia Gilani (Green Muslims climate action advocate) and Afnn Karullah (organizations director of sustainability & environmental programming), about how Islam can foster an environment-friendly spirit. (This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Tell me about the history of Green Muslims.
Gilani: Around the year 2000, Green Muslims were founded. [2007]. It was a group made up of young professionals who lived in the D.C. region. They came up with the idea of a leftar, where they could bring their leftovers, or their Tupperware, to have a zero-waste Iftar. It was that idea that started it all. It has grown steadily since then. We are a fully-registered 501(c),(3) nonprofit and host many different events. Our executive director is very passionately involved in spirituality in nature, particularly teaching children that. So we have a great program for getting kids outdoors. It is called “Our Deen Is Green!” We also partner with many other local organizations. We’ve done cleanups, bird walks, and more.
The organization website states that a goal was set. Create a language that is based on Muslim-based environmentalism. What does this mean and why is it important?
Gilani:We want Muslims to be khalifas or stewards for the environment. We believe God created all things, including the environment. It is not being taken care of at the moment. We are not protecting it. That’s what we want. It should be in harmony with our five pillars of prayer, which we do every day. We also give donations [environmentalism]Should be the same. It should be instinctual to want protection [the environment].
Khairullah:Muslims rely heavily on Quran and the anecdotes about the Prophets’ life and his companions. That is what we use as evidence. [to]It is clear that Muslims are not an isolated entity from nature. It is our responsibility to care for it and keep it healthy. Always leave it better than you found it.
Your website mentions how Muslims in D.C. were responsive to Green Muslims’ first events. It also says that the group was filling in a void. I was curious if you could explain more about the void.
Gilani:Green Muslims wasn’t as diverse at the time it was founded. [Green Muslims]It was a place where Muslims could be part of an environmental movement. It is evident that there are many organizations looking to get Muslim participation. We do a lot interfaith. [Green Muslims]Muslims have the opportunity to be part in an organization that is all theirs.
Because of all the teachings, it is possible to be Muslim and an environmentalist.
We are not the largest percentage of people involved in interfaith work. It is nice to have Green Muslims as a resource for Ramadan-lovers who want to talk to people who understand Ramadan and aren’t afraid to share their struggles with the environment. We don’t eat from one time to another. We don’t even drink water.
It’s a conversation that I have every year. It is nice to be able say that Green Muslims already know what Ramadan means. We are familiar with the issues we face. We were tired. We don’t have enough energy. It is also a time when we want to be spiritually as possible, our best selves, and follow in the footsteps of the Prophets.
Khairullah: Muslims want to get involved in the community. We were not only creating a community, we were also doing it within the context of being environmentally conscious, educating them, as well as motivating them to get outside. Sophia pointed out that the majority of environmental campaigns and movements aren’t Muslim-filled. Were creating [spaces]but also to inspire Muslims to join other Muslims in the area. It is crucial because Northern Virginia has one of the most significant Muslim populations in the United States. We know Muslims are interested in caring, but don’t know where or how to start. We are giving them a place where they can start.
Gilani: We were also able teach younger children how to care for the environment using an Islamic perspective, which is rare. [Parents]They were taught this from an Islamic perspective and it was a valuable lesson that they took. It also helped that their families could see the benefits.
Green Muslims claims that a major component of its vision is for Muslims to live in the environmental spirit Islam. This is something I believe a lot of people, mostly non-Muslims but sometimes Muslims, don’t know much about. Could you explain what it means to live in an environment that is influenced by Islam and teach it to children?
Gilani:It is really just teaching children that the environment is important. To return to Allah’s creation, and the interconnectedness of everything: I do climate action work. I’ll bring in what I can, whatever is relevant for this conversation and what our children are interested in. One event is dedicated to watersheds. I discuss the workings of watersheds and the pollutants that are found in them. We then go back and forth. [say]Allah created everything. We came here. We built houses, factories, roads and roads in the same way that we did and now are affecting our environment.
It gives them a great starting point in their lives, as I can teach it from this perspective. I have also taught environmental education outside of Green Muslims. Because they are so curious, I’ve always been a strong advocate of teaching kids. They aren’t jaded. You can plant the seeds of curiosity and passion in them and let them go.
Khairullah: Growing up, my religious faith and my environmentalalism were two different things. It wasn’t until later in my life that I realized the connection. I discovered that helping children to make that connection early on is crucial and important. After all, they are our future. They will be more aware of the importance of environmentalism and Islam as they grow up.
Because of all the teachings, being Muslim is to be an environmentist. It’s easy to be separated [from that]Because it is human nature, to want to keep up to date with the times and have all the latest items. It is not sustainable living, and it is not Islamic living.
Do you have any favorite Quranic verses or hadiths? Are there any stories about environmentalism that you can use in your personal life or your organizing?
Khairullah: Yes, I do. The Quran was revealed over 1400 years ago. It was revealed by prophets, so these are prophecies. There is evidence that the verses are about pollution and climate change. A verse speaks about balance. It can be translated as We’re skewing it.Climate change is often discussed when we refer to greenhouse gases. [and]The atmospheric acceleration of carbon dioxide is exceeding this balance.
Gilani: One of my favorites verses is: Allah created everything [living]Water creature. They can move on their stomachs. Allah creates all things He pleases. Allah is the master of all things.Holy Quran An Nur 24:45
This is important to me because we all know that 70% of our bodies are made up water and that water is vital for survival. This demonstrates that Allah created all things intentionally and that all living creatures were created by him. So who are we to destroy the planet that he has created? Who are we to pollute the water we all need? This verse immediately strikes me when I read it. I immediately think of the interconnectedness of climate movements and how Muslims should take care of this planet and all of God’s creations.
A hadith that ties it all together is: The Prophet (peace, blessings and peace be upon him) said: Allah brings anyone who cuts the lote trees headlong into Hell. Abu Dawud was quizzed about the meaning and origin of this tradition. He responded, “This is a brief tradition.” This means that if someone cuts without justification, unjustly and without any right, a lote trees under which travelers and beasts take shelter will bring him to Hell. Sunan Abi Dawud 5239, Book 43, Hadith 467.
This hadith highlights the importance to take care of our planet. Allah has 99 names, including the Most Merciful, Most Sacred and the Great Forgiver. Despite His mercy and how gracious He is, He is also willing punish those who unjustly take out trees. We see this happening in places where corporations have profited from the destruction. Muslims can and should use these verses and hadith to change how they see the world.
Why is it important for Muslims to be the focus? Some might argue that religion or spirituality don’t really matter or have any place in these movements.
Khairullah: I would say, well, because it is important for the Muslim community and that is why we should be there. There is no separation. Islam is not a set or beliefs, it is a lifestyle. It is a lifestyle, and we should not be excluded. We are all affected by policies. That is why we need to be part the movement. We need to be aware of what changes we can make. This is why we need to get involved in our community.
Gilani:It is not about politics and religion. It is about the unit that can be formed to combat it. Climate change and policies have also impacted Black Muslim communities in a systemic way. You can identify a group or Muslims that are likely to be affected by climate change and easily identify them. [its important to]Recognize and support [the]Stop it. We can all help to solve this problem. We can all support other communities that are affected by climate change. [them]. That voice is the most important thing.
It doesn’t even matter if you bring your religion to the table. It is vital to know that there is a community who supports you. This fight is not yours alone. Climate work can be very difficult. It is very difficult. People hear me say that all the time. Sometimes it can be demoralizing. It is important to be able give support, give voice, and unite. You want support from people who think like yours [and]Know things like you. That is the great benefit of having support from the same community.
Any other suggestions?
Gilani:I want people to know that their individual actions matter. We must fight against corporations and policies that refuse to make climate change a reality so that ordinary people can live a sustainable lifestyle. Everybody involved in climate work deserves my admiration, regardless of their impact. We all fight for the bigger picture. If you do your best, you are doing enough. Learn more if you want. If you feel that you’ve done all you can, that’s fine. You can do your best if you try your best.
