The Islamic faith is often associated with strict codes of conduct and traditional practices, but new research suggests that Muslims may be at the forefront of the environmental movement. In recent years, there has been a growing interest among Muslims to become environmental advocates and active defenders of the planet. From banning single-use plastics in Indonesia to building sustainable mosques in the Middle East, Muslim communities around the world are taking concrete action to protect the environment. This article explores the reasons behind this trend and highlights some of the most inspiring examples of Muslim-led environmental initiatives.
Saarah Yasmin Latif is a millennial who wears a hijab and uses Instagram hashtags like #greenramadan and #ecomuslim to connect the teachings of the Qur’an with environmental justice. She founded the Green Ramadan Challenge during the religious month of fasting and reflection for Muslims to encourage people from all religious traditions to connect their faith with individual and collective acts to sustain the earth. The challenge includes three parts to each daily post: words from the Qur’an, an environmental challenge, and a reflection. The challenge aims to draw Muslims closer to God with a focus on discipline, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate.
Saarah is from Newark, New Jersey, and was raised in a Muslim family. She discovered her love for nature in her teenage years when she would spend time outdoors until the sun set in her neighborhood in South Orange. She pursued her passion for the environment in college, where she enrolled in a study abroad course in New Brunswick, Canada, that nurtured her interest in local environments and communities. This led her to pursue a master’s degree in sustainability and leadership. Saarah then realized the intersection of her faith and the environment and began to integrate simple actions such as using reusable plates and silverware to break the fast in Ramadan to bring sustainable practices into her faith community and her surrounding communities.
Saarah believes that environmentalism has always been embedded in the Muslim religion, established over 1,400 years ago. She believes that Muslims should be at the forefront of the environmental movement but has noticed a lack of participation from her community. To find answers, Saarah turned to the sayings and life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which are called “Hadith” in the Muslim faith. With the assistance of the GreenFaith fellowship, she collaborated with Kori Majeed to create an anthology of writings reflecting environmental justice called “Forty Green Hadith: Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) on environmental justice and sustainability.” The book is free and accessible and can be used in interfaith gatherings to promote dialogue and the power of faith in addressing climate change.
Saarah has also led over 20 sustainability workshops, both in-person and virtual, within her local Masjid in Newark and surrounding communities, integrating her passion for nature and faith. She is also an avid advocate for the protection of the environment and is integrating nature into her learning center where she teaches as another way to live out her faith. Her activism and passion for the environment have formed a tight-knit community on Instagram, where people share how they are taking action in their local communities. Saarah’s activism demonstrates the power of faith in addressing climate change and the importance of connecting our faith with the protection and care of the environment.
This article was excerpted with permission from Love Your Mother: 50 States, 50 Stories, and 50 Women United for Climate Justice by Mallory McDuff copyright © 2023 Broadleaf Books.
