Islam is not a religion solely based on obligatory practices, but it is a complete way of life that guides us in every aspect. Similarly, regarding climate change, Islam has already given an environmentalist framework to follow. Unfortunately, cultural awareness regarding climate change and climate action is staggeringly limited among Muslims. With the rising threat of a global climate crisis, Islamic environmentalism based on Islamic traditions — rather than an imported ‘white-saviour’ complex — can address the issue.
Many Muslim countries like Indonesia, Bangladesh and Pakistan are immensely contributing to the problem. Some reports claim that the Middle East may be uninhabitable in the future due to severe heatwaves brought about by global warming. This could further exacerbate the problem by causing droughts, food insecurity, increased natural disasters, and a significant change in weather patterns in the next few decades. Therefore, there is serious need for adopting a religious approach to cope up with this imminent threat.
To propel change in environmental policy, Muslims need to take guidance from the Holy Quran in which there are about 200 verses concerning the environment and Earth care. A newfound Islamic approach may reach the hearts and minds of the Muslims across the world and can bring out a tremendous amount of difference.
Zahid Ali Zohri
Gilgit-Baltistan
Published in The Express Tribune, August 25th, 2020.
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