Green Muslims in the District
A group of Muslims here in the DC area have begun an effort here locally to get Muslims and Muslim organizations to take practical steps to be more environmentally conscious. This includes getting future mosques and Islamic Schools being designed and built in an environmentally friendly manner. This is part of a movement of young American Muslims in other cities that are known as “Green Muslims”. Expect to hear more and more about them.
Unfortunately “going Green” -at least at this time - would be seen by many Muslims as a “non-Muslim issue”, but I believe that - given Islamic teachings on not wasting and taking care of the environment - Muslims will be amongst those leading the way showing the proper path way to environmental conscientiousness. Yes, there are other issues, but we can not think of this issue as “somebody else’s issue”.
Some of these “Green Muslims” have been working on this issue for some time outside of Muslim circles, but now see the opportunity to bring ecological issues into the mosque. It is very appropriate.
For more information about the DC Green Muslims, click here
Filed under: Changing World | Tagged: DC Green Muslims
Sniff-Sniff Man I miss my hometown! A worthwhile cause and I wholeheartedly agree- my mom has had us recycling since the 80’s, she felt it was her duty as a Muslim. Good luck though-I can’t even get the Muslim schools here to consistently serve zabiha meat even though there are some students who only eat it. because they feel it is too much of a hassle to go get it!
This is an excellent initiative and I look forward to being a part of this
salaam, thanks for the post! its great to see so many people interested in these issues
I had no idea of Green Muslims. Thank you for the information, and inshallah, it will spread to many other towns and cities and countries.
Ya Haqq!
It surprised when i came into Islam how negligent Muslims were with two matters that were chic at my college: whole food eating and environmental issues. Many Muslims are OBLIVIOUS to matters of diet and consume sodas and what many call “junk food” without any compunction (and sadly it goes to the point of even sinning and eating the flesh of unslaughtered carcasses).
Regarding the environmental thing, all we have to do is look at the fact it is haram to waste. And we know that the pious looked down upon the acquisition of worldly rubble. However, before blindly buying into the corporate orchestrated Green-Thing, all one has to do is look at the recycling symbol to see the insidious agenda that is behind it.
salaams,
this is awesome and definitely needed initiative. seems like everything is happening in DC and not in california, hahaa..
as far as islam & the green movement, if anything, there is a near inextricable relationship between islam and environmental consciousness & eco-friendly living. throughout the quran Allah reminds us of the natural gifts we are given and our responsibility to protect these gifts. even if you just think about the warnings against wasting water during wudu. beyond that, Allah has instructed us to live and engage in the world in a sustainable manner that values our relationships with each other and nature.
one aspect of the green movement is affordability of organic foods and other products. i think this is where the diy movement has more offerings (urban gardening, making your own soy milk, etc.) i went vegetarian a few years ago and have been on and off for a while mostly because ive moved around and havent had a stable community or even the time to eat right.
anyhoo, nice blog, brother. and congrats on the brass awards. i just found your blog, alhamdulillah…keep it up.
peas,
kameelah