The environment is a significant component in Islamic teachings, with an abundance of reference to it in the Holy Quran. This includes principles of reducing wastage, cleanliness, and man as stewards to protect the environment.
However, there seems to be a lack of effort to relate these Islamic principles to contemporary issues. While issues such as Islamophobia and Muslim oppression may still be of interest to many, issues of climate change, water and food security, are just as important, given that many Muslim countries are victims of climate change (developing countries) with very little capacity to fend themselves. At the same time, other Muslim states are contributors to it (Indonesia and the gulf Arab states are some of the world's highest carbon emitters).
There is also seems to be a lack of environmental action and ethic amongst Muslims. How many of us actually make the effort to recycle, reduce our carbon footprint, or support products that have environmentally-friendly labels?
While there may be individual Muslims out there that do care for the environment, what seems to be lacking is a unified Muslim voice that says "We care for our environment and we want to protect it and be part of the global movement." There are Muslim groups out there advocating this, but it has yet to hit a critical mass.
I somehow also feel that such teachings on the environment seem to be considered less relevant or rather brushed over in many Muslim circles. Why is that? Environmentalism -just like Islam - is a way of life. All we need to do is actually incorporate it into our lives. It doesn't require big audous efforts, but rather its the little steps that count the most.
A discussion of contemporary issues in relation to Islam will not only make Muslims understand their religion with a more holistic perspective, but also further bridge so-called divides between Muslims and non-Muslims, thereby building cooperation on issues that affect all of mankind.
I look forward to your thoughts on this.
Wassalam.
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