here are over 2 billion Muslims in the world, making up roughly a quarter of the population and Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Despite this, Muslim perspectives are often overlooked in discussions around climate change due to the lack of representation of Muslim individuals in decision-making roles and international forums where climate policies are discussed and negotiated. With climate change being one of the most significant global issues of our time, it's time to recognize the importance of incorporating the perspectives and experiences of Muslim communities in addressing the challenges of climate change.
Muslims are among the communities disproportionately impacted by climate change. Most Muslim majority countries are in the Global South where the brunt of climate change is being felt. These effects exacerbate existing social, economic, and political vulnerabilities, putting additional stress on already strained systems.
In addition to being disproportionately impacted, Muslims have also been at the forefront of efforts to combat climate change. Islamic tradition places a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship and conservation, with Islamic teachings encouraging Muslims to care for the environment and use resources wisely. Muslims view themselves as guardians, or khalifah, of the planet and believe that they will be held accountable by God for their actions towards the Earth. About 200 verses in the Quran address the environment.
As such, many Muslim-led initiatives and organizations have emerged to address environmental sustainability and climate justice from a Muslim perspective.
These initiatives and organizations are rooted in the principles of Islamic environmentalism, which promotes sustainability, equity, and social justice.
Muslim-led initiatives have taken various forms, from community-based initiatives that focus on sustainable living practices, to large-scale projects that aim to address climate change and its impacts on marginalized communities.
For example, the Islamic Declaration on Climate Change, signed by over 60 Muslim leaders in 2015, calls for urgent action on climate change and highlights the importance of climate justice for vulnerable communities. Similarly, the Green Ramadan campaign encourages Muslims to adopt environmentally friendly practices during Ramadan, such as reducing food waste and using reusable containers. The Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences (IFEES) is another organization that offers unique insights and solutions related to Islamic environmentalism and climate change.
Incorporating Muslim perspectives in the global conversation on climate change is crucial not only for addressing the specific impacts on Muslim communities but also for promoting a more inclusive and equitable approach to climate justice. Muslim perspectives offer unique insights and solutions that can help to address the root causes of climate change and its impacts on vulnerable communities.
For example, IFEES has also developed programs to promote sustainable agriculture in mosques around the world, such as agroforestry, which integrates trees into farming practices to promote soil conservation and biodiversity.
Islamic culture places a strong emphasis on community and social responsibility, which can inform solutions to climate change. Muslim communities are increasingly investing in renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind power, which can provide sustainable energy solutions while also creating local economic opportunities.
Green mosques are another example of community-based solutions that draw on Islamic culture and values to address climate change. Many mosques around the world are implementing environmentally friendly practices, such as installing solar panels, reducing water use, and promoting recycling. These initiatives are often led by local community members, and can serve as models for sustainable practices in other community settings. By promoting sustainable practices in a religious context, these initiatives also help to reinforce the idea that environmental stewardship is a moral responsibility.
As the world works towards a more sustainable future, it is imperative that we recognize and value the contributions of Muslim communities in the fight against climate change. By working together and incorporating diverse perspectives, we can create a more just and equitable world for all. As Fazlun Khalid, one of the world’s foremost experts on Islam from an environmental perspective, states in his book Signs On the Earth: Islam, Modernity, and the Climate Crisis, “[Islam] does not differentiate between the sacred and the secular, and neither does it place a distinction between the world of humankind and the world of nature.”
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How Muslim Perspectives Affect Climate Justice
Photo by Ivars Krutainis on Unsplash
April 19, 2023
Around a quarter of the world population is Muslim-and Islam is the fastest growing religion-yet Muslim perspectives are often overlooked in climate debates. Despite this oversight, many Muslim-led initiatives and organizations have emerged to address the climate crisis, writes Salma Djalal.
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here are over 2 billion Muslims in the world, making up roughly a quarter of the population and Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Despite this, Muslim perspectives are often overlooked in discussions around climate change due to the lack of representation of Muslim individuals in decision-making roles and international forums where climate policies are discussed and negotiated. With climate change being one of the most significant global issues of our time, it's time to recognize the importance of incorporating the perspectives and experiences of Muslim communities in addressing the challenges of climate change.
Muslims are among the communities disproportionately impacted by climate change. Most Muslim majority countries are in the Global South where the brunt of climate change is being felt. These effects exacerbate existing social, economic, and political vulnerabilities, putting additional stress on already strained systems.
In addition to being disproportionately impacted, Muslims have also been at the forefront of efforts to combat climate change. Islamic tradition places a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship and conservation, with Islamic teachings encouraging Muslims to care for the environment and use resources wisely. Muslims view themselves as guardians, or khalifah, of the planet and believe that they will be held accountable by God for their actions towards the Earth. About 200 verses in the Quran address the environment.
As such, many Muslim-led initiatives and organizations have emerged to address environmental sustainability and climate justice from a Muslim perspective.
These initiatives and organizations are rooted in the principles of Islamic environmentalism, which promotes sustainability, equity, and social justice.
Muslim-led initiatives have taken various forms, from community-based initiatives that focus on sustainable living practices, to large-scale projects that aim to address climate change and its impacts on marginalized communities.
For example, the Islamic Declaration on Climate Change, signed by over 60 Muslim leaders in 2015, calls for urgent action on climate change and highlights the importance of climate justice for vulnerable communities. Similarly, the Green Ramadan campaign encourages Muslims to adopt environmentally friendly practices during Ramadan, such as reducing food waste and using reusable containers. The Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences (IFEES) is another organization that offers unique insights and solutions related to Islamic environmentalism and climate change.
Incorporating Muslim perspectives in the global conversation on climate change is crucial not only for addressing the specific impacts on Muslim communities but also for promoting a more inclusive and equitable approach to climate justice. Muslim perspectives offer unique insights and solutions that can help to address the root causes of climate change and its impacts on vulnerable communities.
For example, IFEES has also developed programs to promote sustainable agriculture in mosques around the world, such as agroforestry, which integrates trees into farming practices to promote soil conservation and biodiversity.
Islamic culture places a strong emphasis on community and social responsibility, which can inform solutions to climate change. Muslim communities are increasingly investing in renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind power, which can provide sustainable energy solutions while also creating local economic opportunities.
Green mosques are another example of community-based solutions that draw on Islamic culture and values to address climate change. Many mosques around the world are implementing environmentally friendly practices, such as installing solar panels, reducing water use, and promoting recycling. These initiatives are often led by local community members, and can serve as models for sustainable practices in other community settings. By promoting sustainable practices in a religious context, these initiatives also help to reinforce the idea that environmental stewardship is a moral responsibility.
As the world works towards a more sustainable future, it is imperative that we recognize and value the contributions of Muslim communities in the fight against climate change. By working together and incorporating diverse perspectives, we can create a more just and equitable world for all. As Fazlun Khalid, one of the world’s foremost experts on Islam from an environmental perspective, states in his book Signs On the Earth: Islam, Modernity, and the Climate Crisis, “[Islam] does not differentiate between the sacred and the secular, and neither does it place a distinction between the world of humankind and the world of nature.”
