5 Muslim Climate Activists To Follow

Climate change continues to be a matter of growing urgency that none of us can ignore.

For the Muslim community and the charity sector, this issue holds spiritual relevance. From the command to be ‘stewards of the earth’ (Qur’an 6:165) , we are instructed to care for the planet and the wider world around us.

Across the globe, Muslim majority countries continue to be some of those most affected by poverty and by climate change. From the severe flooding in Pakistan, to cyclones in Myanmar or earlier this year, the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, people around the world in less developed countries are suffering the most impact of climate change.

Widespread pollution, the destruction of natural resources, raised carbon emissions, and the highest earth core temperatures in history are contributing to and deepening poverty in parts of the world where people are already suffering.

To fight poverty therefore means we must also fight climate change.

What is sustainability?

The term sustainable has become a buzzword for organisations to use to show they are climate action aware. However, it is often misunderstood and can even be reduced to business action that is as singular and solitary as using recycled materials.

Addressing climate change isn’t just about saving the oceans or the ozone layer through using less plastic or making less waste. Tackling climate change also means addressing inequalities, injustice, the root causes and the amplifying factors of severe poverty.

The definition of sustainability is to contribute to the ‘the long-term well-being of all people and planet.’

(UN 2022)

Raising awareness

As a faith group and as a charitable sector it is therefore clear that we must work together to address climate change, raise awareness and act for systemic change. However, within our community, there is still a lack of awareness of the urgency and wider-reaching implications of the current climate crisis.

“Be a community that calls for what is good, urges what is right, and forbids what is wrong. Those who do, are the successful ones.” – (Quran 3:104)

5 Muslim Climate Activists and Organisations to follow:

IFEES

The Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences (IFEES) is a multi-dimensional organisation that networks world-wide with NGOs, international organisations, academic bodies and grass roots organisations and invites collaboration from institutions and individuals from all persuasions who are also dedicated to the maintenance of the Earth as a healthy habitat for future generations of humankind as well as other sentient beings. IFEES Protecting our planet for future generations using Islamic teachings

Two Billion Strong

Two Billion Strong is a platform and community of Muslim voices for climate action. Founded by a group of activists, including Nazia Sultana, founder of Sustainably Muslim, and Diana Hysenaj , activist and campaigner and Communities Coordinator for the Fair Energy Campaign, Two Billion Strong brings together space and discussion about how the Muslim community can and should be actively involved in addressing climate change. TWO BILLION STRONG | Muslim voices against climate injustice

Faithfully Sustainable

Faithfully Sustainable is an environmental justice community led by young Muslims. Although based in the US, much of their work crosses over to the UK and is online, providing resources and education around sustainable practice and living. Faithfully Sustainable

Asad Rehman

Asad has many years of working in environmental justice, including at Friends of the Earth. He is the director of War on Want and co-founder of the COP26 Coalition, which organised the People’s Summit for Climate Justice during the Glasgow negotiations of 2021. He is also part of Demand Climate Justice, a network of more than 200 environmental and human rights organisations working on issues of climate justice and just transition.

Nouhad Awwad

Nouhad is a project campaigner at Greenpeace MENA, supporting the implementation of the Ummah For Earth project, a global alliance-led initiative working to empower Muslim communities on climate action. She represented Greenpeace MENA and the Ummah For Earth Alliance at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. Nouhad joined the panel of speakers in our recent MCF Climate Change webinar, sharing her knowledge and expertise of how charities and individuals can work together for climate action.