Earlier this year, the Faith for Earth Initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched a global push to bring together Islamic institutions from around the world in a bid to combat pollution, climate change and other threats to the planet. Called Mizan, Arabic for “balance”, the charter is designed to showcase Islam’s teachings on the environment and spur the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims to embrace sustainability as part of their everyday lives.
We recently spoke with the head of the effort, Iyad Abumoghli, who is also the director of the Faith for Earth Initiative, about Mizan and its lofty ambitions.
For centuries, Islam has called on followers to protect the environment, says UNEP’s Iyad Abumoghli. Photo: Unsplash / Abdullah Faraz
UNEP: Why is this initiative important?
Iyad Abumoghli: The sacred scripture in the Quran, the practices of Prophet Mohammad and the teachings of Islam all urge humanity to value and protect nature. But those lessons are largely unknown to many Muslims, including how they relate to contemporary environmental issues, such as climate change, ecosystem destruction and overconsumption. Mizan is designed to change that – and encourage Muslims to do all they can to safeguard the planet.
UNEP: Why is that necessary now?
IA: The planet is facing multiple crises, including pollution, climate change, and environmental destruction. In many places, we’re losing our connection to nature. In addition to science and state policies, people need spiritual guidance on environmental issues, which will create a sense of responsibility for nature. Mizan will help provide a set of authoritative standards for Muslims to follow in their daily lives.
UNEP: Other religions are also embracing environmentalism, aren’t they?
IA: Yes. In 2015, Pope Francis launched Laudato Si, a papal encyclical that urged Catholics to care for what he called our “common home”, the Earth. Other faith leaders, including Buddhists, Hindus, Baha’is and Jews, have issued declarations on climate change. There are also interfaith commitments to address specific issues, such as biodiversity loss and rainforest destruction. But it’s important to note that these initiatives are not new. Religious texts and faith leaders have for centuries been urging their followers to protect the environment.
UNEP: Which organizations are involved in Mizan?
IA: We are partnering with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Uskudar University in Istanbul, the Qur'anic Botanic Garden and the College of Islamic Studies at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar.
Pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Unsplash / Ömer F. Arslan
UNEP: When are you planning to roll out Mizan?
IA: The draft charter is expected to be ready in March 2021. It will be distributed to more than 300 Islamic institutions around the world for feedback. After finalization, Mizan will be submitted to the Islamic Council of Environment Ministers for adoption in October 2021. The consultative process and adoption are essential as we are aiming for Mizan to be a global spiritual reference, a plan of action for individuals as well as institutions.
UNEP: Can you tell us a little more about UNEP’s Faith for Earth Initiative?
IA: Since its launch in 2017, Faith for Earth has collaborated with representatives of more than 15 religions, highlighting how these faiths can mobilize the power of their followers and address some of the gravest threats to the planet. Along with organizing major conferences, we help religious leaders develop practical steps their followers can take to fight air pollution, protect biodiversity and limit plastic pollution. We also work with religious institutions, who are often major investors, to green their assets and reduce their environmental footprint.
UNEP: What are your long-term hopes for Mizan?
IA: We think it could be a game changer. There are about 4 million mosques around the world. If we could, for example, install solar panels on these houses of worship, we could prevent 12 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. As well, every year 10 million people take part in Islam’s two major pilgrimages, the Hajj and the Umrah. If we could make those a little greener, by encouraging pilgrims to avoid single-use plastics, for example, it could make a substantial difference. Bigger picture, we are ultimately hoping that more faith-based organizations will take Mizan as a guiding principle and mobilize action. We also aspire that Mizan will help foster an understanding between religions that we have a common responsibility towards the Earth.
For more information on Mizan, visit UNEP’s Faith for Earth Initiative or contact Iyad Abumoghli at iyad.abumoghli@un.org