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After a review of Professor Ozdemir’s book Care for Creation; An Islamic Perspective (read it here), I had the pleasure to have one other interview with the writer, accessible now for the readers of Green Prophet.
İbrahim Özdemir
Professor Ozdemir, we had our final interview instantly after the publication of your e book Care for Creation; An Islamic Perspective, on the finish of 2022. In the meantime a number of issues occurred within the Islamic world and, these days, the horrible battle in Palestine is getting a lot of the consideration. Focusing on the connection between Islam and ecology, the subject of your e book, the 13th of December 2023 ended COP28. Let’s begin from right here: did you attend the Conference and, basically, what’s your opinion about its outcomes?
The discussions and commitments made at COP28, together with initiatives and funding for sustainable growth and local weather adaptation, notably in weak areas, replicate a rising acknowledgment of the urgency of our environmental disaster. This aligns with the ideas highlighted in my e book, Care for Creation; An Islamic Perspective, the place I advocate for a proactive and faith-based method to environmental stewardship.
The challenges highlighted by the present geopolitical tensions, together with the battle in Palestine, underscore the interconnectedness of peace, justice, and environmental sustainability. It’s essential that we, particularly within the Islamic world, proceed to push for complete options that handle not solely the signs of our environmental points but in addition their root causes, together with battle and inequality.
I’m hopeful concerning the future as a result of the engagement and dialogue generated by COP28, regardless of its imperfections, reveal a collective will to confront environmental challenges. It’s important that we construct on this momentum, incorporating Islamic environmental ethics, which emphasize stability, compassion, and stewardship, into our world and native environmental actions. The path ahead requires unity, progressive options, and a dedication to justice and sustainability for all creatures and ecosystems.
Which type of progresses are you seeing, within the Islamic world, by way of environmental consciousness? We know, type your e book, Islam is a “genetically environmentalist faith” and we all know additionally that, from a sensible standpoint, there’s nonetheless a outstanding quantity of labor forward of us. Are there some encouraging indicators?
The Mausoleum of Prophet Mohammud in Medina. The Green dome within the portray symbolises the love of the Prophet for the character. In the top of the sixth century
C.E., there was a patch of greenery on the barren desert lands, which occurred to be Medina. Artist unknown.
In the Islamic world, there are certainly encouraging indicators of progress by way of environmental consciousness, as highlighted by the ideas and examples set forth in Islamic teachings and historical past. Islamic teachings emphasize the significance of caring for creation, together with the preservation of nature, the accountable use of sources, and kindness in the direction of animals. Historical examples from the Islamic world showcase efforts to determine sanctuaries for wildlife, conservation of inexperienced areas, and the creation of public fountains and gardens. Additionally, the Islamic custom of cleanliness and conservation is clear in teachings that discourage wastefulness and encourage the sustainable use of pure sources.
Evidence for the continuation of a practice of mechanical engineering is offered by a e book on machines written by Taqi al-Din concerning the yr 1552.
These ideas aren’t solely integral to Islamic religion but in addition present a basis for addressing up to date environmental challenges. The rising engagement with these teachings and the rising recognition of environmental points inside the Islamic group are optimistic indicators of progress in the direction of a higher environmental stewardship.
In the Islamic world, there’s a robust environmental worldview offered by Islam, emphasizing look after creation, sustainability, and conservation as core ideas. Despite this, the attention amongst Muslims about world environmental issues remains to be creating. This rising consciousness is a optimistic signal, albeit gradual. It’s necessary to acknowledge that environmental consciousness is intertwined with broader societal elements, together with democracy and the rule of regulation.
Bees within the Quran and apitherapy in Arabic
[embedded content]As these features strengthen inside societies, they’ll additional improve the dedication to environmental stewardship, highlighting the connection between governance, societal values, and environmental motion. This evolving consciousness, coupled with the foundational environmental ethics of Islam, suggests a path ahead the place elevated environmental consciousness can result in significant actions and insurance policies.
Since a few years you might be dwelling and educating within the US. How is the relation between ecology and Islam in that nation?
In the United States, the connection between ecology and Islam is experiencing a revival, notably amongst youthful generations equivalent to Generation Z and Millennials (Generation Y). This demographic is more and more partaking with environmental points by way of the lens of their Islamic religion, discovering in environmental stewardship a nonpolitical trigger that resonates with their religious values and gives a platform for motion.
This revival will not be solely about combating for environmental causes but in addition about presenting their worldviews to their friends, showcasing how Islamic teachings align with up to date environmental issues. However, this motion remains to be in its formative levels, with younger Muslims on the forefront of integrating ecological consciousness with their non secular id, indicating a promising route for the longer term.
Plants of the Koran: names and diagrams of varied crops and herbs with medicinal properties within the books written by students from twelfth to fifteenth century.
In the United States, initiatives like Eco-Fab Living, Green Deen and Eco-Islam are outstanding examples of the burgeoning relationship between ecology and Islam, notably resonating with the youthful Muslim demographics. These actions encapsulate the essence of integrating Islamic teachings with environmental stewardship, serving as conduits for younger Muslims to advocate for ecological sustainability, current their faith-informed views on environmental points, and interact in nonpolitical environmental activism.
These initiatives are a part of a broader, rising pattern the place environmental consciousness inside the Islamic group is gaining momentum, illustrating the dynamic interaction between religion and ecological duty. There are quite a few different organizations and actions inside the Islamic world that additionally contribute to this rising consciousness and motion in the direction of environmental sustainability, every including distinctive insights and approaches to the discourse on eco-Islam.
What about Muslim international locations? We know that Indonesia , probably the most populous Muslim nation is paying numerous consideration to ecology in its agenda. Could you please give us some extra details about ecological initiatives in Indonesia and in different Muslim international locations, for instance your personal nation: Turkey?
In Indonesia, probably the most populous Muslim nation, there’s a vital emphasis on integrating ecological issues into nationwide insurance policies and initiatives. The nation has launched into varied environmental initiatives, together with reforestation efforts, wildlife conservation, and initiatives to cut back plastic air pollution. Indonesia’s method usually blends conventional Islamic teachings with up to date environmental challenges, leveraging the widespread religion within the nation to advertise stewardship of the earth.
Turkey, one other nation with a majority Muslim inhabitants, can also be seeing a rising curiosity in ecological initiatives. Efforts there embody the enlargement of renewable power sources, equivalent to photo voltaic and wind energy, and campaigns for cleaner transportation choices. The nation can also be concerned in reforestation initiatives and the preservation of biodiversity by way of the institution of nationwide parks and guarded areas.
Both international locations reveal how Islamic ideas of caring for the Earth are being interpreted and utilized in trendy environmental efforts, showcasing a mix of faith-based motivation and up to date ecological practices.
The Templeton Foundation (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Templeton_Foundation) funded a venture geared toward Strengthening the Integration of Islam and Environmental Science in Islamic Boarding Schools by way of the Ekopesantren Program, which has been hailed as successful story. This initiative underscores the potential for integrating non secular teachings with up to date environmental training, demonstrating a sensible method to fostering ecological consciousness and motion inside non secular academic settings. The success of the Ekopesantren Program exemplifies how faith-based establishments can play a pivotal position in advancing environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts.
In Turkey, the European Climate Foundation funded a major venture in cooperation with Üsküdar University’s Forum on Environmental Ethics, geared toward selling the message and making of al-Mizan: A Covenant for Earth. This venture represents a notable effort to intertwine Islamic environmental ethics with trendy ecological issues, fostering a deeper understanding and dedication to environmental stewardship inside the Muslim group. Through such initiatives, the linkage between faith-based values and environmental sustainability is strengthened, showcasing progressive approaches to addressing world ecological challenges.
What do you recommendation eco-Muslims around the globe? Maybe a stronger networking work ought to be finished?
To eco-Muslims around the globe, drawing inspiration from Care for Creation and al-Mizan: A Covenant for Earth, a key piece of recommendation can be to deepen their engagement with the ideas of environmental stewardship as outlined in Islamic teachings. These texts underscore the profound connection between Islam and environmental ethics, emphasizing the duty of Muslims to guard the planet and stay in concord with nature.
Strengthening networking efforts amongst eco-Muslims and past is certainly very important. Here are a number of particular suggestions impressed by these guiding paperwork:
Eco-Muslims ought to search to construct stronger networks each inside the Islamic group and with different faith-based and secular environmental teams. Collaborating on widespread objectives can result in a higher influence, pooling sources, data, and affect to deal with environmental challenges extra successfully.
Utilize platforms, each on-line and offline, to share data concerning the Islamic perspective on environmentalism. Workshops, seminars, and social media campaigns can assist unfold consciousness and encourage motion based mostly on the teachings of Care for Creation and al-Mizan: A Covenant for Earth.
Engage with policymakers to advocate for environmentally pleasant insurance policies. Use the ethical and moral arguments offered in Islamic environmental teachings to push for modifications that may result in sustainable growth and conservation efforts.
Encourage the adoption of sustainable practices inside particular person life, communities, and establishments. Initiatives can vary from selling renewable power and lowering waste to supporting native conservation initiatives.
Given the common message of environmental stewardship, search alternatives for interfaith dialogue and cooperation on ecological points. Such partnerships can amplify the decision for motion and reveal a united entrance in opposition to environmental degradation.
By specializing in these areas, eco-Muslims can leverage their religion to make a significant contribution to the environmental motion. Care for Creation and al-Mizan: A Covenant for Earth present a wealthy framework for understanding and motion, highlighting the vital position of religion in motivating and guiding efforts to safeguard the atmosphere for future generations.
11 books for sustainable Muslims
Could you please recommend to our readers some essential books on the connection between Islam and ecology?
Here are some essential books on the connection between Islam and ecology, reflecting the rising curiosity in how Islamic teachings intersect with environmental stewardship:
- “Islam and Ecology: A Bestowed Trust” – Edited by Richard C. Foltz, Frederick M. Denny, and Azizan Baharuddin: This anthology delves into the moral, theological, and sensible dimensions of environmentalism in Islam, providing a complete overview of Islamic environmental ethics. Sustainable Muslims ought to learn it to grasp their non secular tasks in the direction of the atmosphere.
- “Green Deen: What Islam Teaches about Protecting the Planet” by Ibrahim Abdul-Matin: Exploring Islamic teachings on environmental safety, this e book gives sensible recommendation for Muslims to contribute to sustainability efforts. It’s a worthwhile useful resource for these in search of to align their religion with eco-conscious actions.
- “Animals in the Qur’an” by Sarra Tlili: Delving into the Qur’anic depiction of animals, this complete exploration examines their roles and symbolic significance inside Islamic teachings and ethics. Sustainable Muslims ought to learn it to deepen their understanding of the sanctity of all creation.
- “Man and Nature: The Spiritual Crisis of Modern Man” by Seyyed Hossein Nasr: This e book delves into the religious dimensions of the ecological disaster, providing insights into the interconnection between humanity and the pure world. It’s important studying for Muslims involved concerning the environmental challenges of our time. It has a particular Sufi dimension.
- “Eco-Jihad: Linking Ecology and Islam” by Tarik M. Quadir: Advocating for environmental conservation by way of Islamic ideas, this e book requires an “eco-jihad” in opposition to degradation. It’s an important learn for sustainable Muslims seeking to combine their religion with ecological activism.
- “Muslim Environmentalisms: Religious and Social Foundations” by Anna M. Gade: Exploring the assorted methods Muslims interact with environmental points, this e book highlights the non secular and social roots of Islamic environmentalism. It gives worthwhile insights for these within the intersection of religion and ecology.
- “Islamic Environmentalism: Activism in the United States and Great Britain” by Rosemary Hancock: Examining how Western Muslim communities are concerned in environmental activism, this e book sheds mild on the fusion of religion and ecological motion. It’s a must-read for Muslims in search of to interact in environmental advocacy.
- “Care for Creation; An Islamic Perspective” by Ibrahim Ozdemir: Offering an Islamic perspective on environmental stewardship, this e book emphasizes the significance of caring for the Earth. It gives steering for sustainable Muslims striving to satisfy their non secular obligations in the direction of creation.
- “The Environmental Dimensions of Islam” by Mawil Y. Izzi Dien: This e book explores the environmental teachings embedded inside Islam, revealing the ecological knowledge current in Islamic custom. It’s a worthwhile useful resource for Muslims in search of to deepen their eco-spirituality.
- “Signs on the Earth: Islam, Modernity, and the Climate Crisis” by Fazlun M. Khalid: Investigating the intersection of Islam, modernity, and local weather change, this e book gives insights into addressing environmental challenges by way of Islamic ideas. It’s important studying for Muslims involved concerning the planet’s future.
- “The Need for a Sacred Science” by Seyyed Hossein Nasr: This e book explores the need of integrating sacred data with scientific inquiry, providing a holistic method to understanding the pure world. It gives a foundational framework for sustainable Muslims in search of to harmonize religion and ecological knowledge.
Thank you Professor Ozdemir on your solutions. Have you any ultimate remarks?
Let me end with some excellent news: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is thrilled to announce the upcoming publication of Al-Mizan – A Covenant for the Earth in Nairobi on 27 February 2024. This groundbreaking doc represents a pivotal second within the dialogue between Islam and environmentalism, providing a restatement of the ideas which have traditionally ruled the safety of nature inside Islamic teachings, now reimagined to deal with the urgent environmental challenges of our occasions.
Al-Mizan – A Covenant for the Earth is a testomony to the wealthy environmental heritage of Islam, articulating a complete imaginative and prescient for sustainable dwelling that resonates with each Muslim environmentalists and the worldwide environmental group. This publication underscores the very important position of faith-based initiatives in selling ecological sustainability and highlights the distinctive contributions of Islamic ecological ethics to up to date environmental discourse.
The announcement is poised to be a watershed second, marking a major contribution to the worldwide environmental motion. It guarantees to encourage motion and foster a deeper understanding of the intrinsic connection between Islamic values and the stewardship of the planet.
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