Alhamdulillah for Snow

Snow is a beautiful sign of Allah. It covers the landscape in a pristine white blanket and leaves behind a fresh, crystalline landscape. Though Canada may be known for its cold harsh winters, the average snow cover has been declining over the past several decades due to climate change. This has resulted in more temperate winters and below-average, seasonal snowfall amounts across the country. The next time it snows, take a moment to reflect on the uniqueness of each snowflake, the serenity of the landscape and the purity of the air as signs from Allah.

Photo Credit: Martina Rathgens

About the Series

The “Alhamdulillah Series” was inspired by Ruzky Aliyar who featured a series of nature images with the tagline “Alhamdulillah”. The series was profiled on Muslim Matters during the Winter of 2012 and quickly drew praise for the simplicity of the message. Building upon this effort to remember the many blessings of Allah, Khaleafa.com has picked up the initiative and will continue to highlight the many signs of Allah.

“There truly are signs in this for people who reflect.” (Quran 13:3)

Average Muslimah's Role in Saving the Environment

By: Umm Yacoubi

I’m just an average Muslimah…What can I do to protect the Earth?

What can the average Muslimah do to protect the Earth?

So, you’re not quite ready to leave your home to live in a tree house, eat grubs, and use only the light of the sun for energy? That’s ok, there are still many ways that you can stop contributing to destruction of the earth, and actively work towards protecting it.

Doing deeds to protect the environment is a way of getting hasanat (good deeds). It is an action that may not be seen or recognized by others, but doing it will raise your status with Allah (subhannahu wa ta'ala). “Being green” is an excellent opportunity to strive for Allah’s (subhanahu wa ta’ala) mercy.

There are many ways that we can be an earth steward, be green, and protect the earth and its environment. In my experience as an educator and working directly in conservation, I find that many people are not clear on the issues affecting the earth. So, first I suggest raising you and your family’s consciousness about what is happening with the environment. Read books and articles about current events in science, and on issues such as global warming, deforestation, and over fishing. Secondly: stop waste! Stop wasting food, natural resources, space, energy, and time. Time to lighten the load we put on this earth and strengthen families and our communities with simple acts, with the intention of ibadah.

Teach children to love and revere the earth and its resources

Teach your children to love and respect the earth by integrating earth friendly practices and consciousness into your daily routines. Children are natural scientists that love to explore their world with wonder and sincere interest. Use this natural curiosity to teach them when they are very young to respect the earth and its resources. It will instill a lifelong love of the earth and make future protectors of it.

At an early age, allow children to play outside and explore. Let them learn with all five senses. Even taste, sampling a blade of grass or giving a pine cone a lick won’t hurt them. Let them walk in the grass barefoot and play by the edge of the river looking for signs of life. Take them out at night and let them listen for bats, owls, or other animals that are active in the evenings. Show them the sunset before Fajr prayer. Take them to see the new moon and the waning moon before, during, and after Ramadan. Let them play in the rain and smell the beautiful scents of spring. Let them sit under the shade of a giant old tree feeling its strength. Experiencing the wonders of Allah’s (subhanahu wa ta’ala) creation can happen at the earliest age. If children understand that they are one of the creations on this earth, and a part of the grand cycle of life, Insha’Allah they will care about protecting it. If they never get a chance to experience the wonders of this amazing planet first hand they may feel detached and not concerned with what happens to it.

As children grow, teach them to respect the plants and animals on the earth. Visiting natural parks and protected wildlife sanctuaries can be an excellent learning experience. These large areas of land that have been set aside, preserved, and maintained give evidence to the history of ecology and earth preservation. Children can have an opportunity to see animals that are steadily disappearing from our earth, natural wonders of Allah’s (subhanahu wa ta’ala) creation, and can be reminded not to take plants or animals away from their natural habitats. This concept is necessary when learning about respecting the earth. All animals and plants are important to their biological communities. Removing animals (including insects) or plants can upset the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Have them draw a picture or take a photograph of something special that they want to remember.

Visiting zoos is another good way for children to see animals close up. Teach your children to respect the animals living there. Banging on glass walls, yelling, screaming, throwing food, and making rude faces to the animals is disrespectful. Allowing children to act in this way undermines personal dignity and is distressing for animals. As Muslims we are taught to respect all life. We always remember this. If you own animals as pets or cattle teach your children to be kind to them, feed them on a regular schedule, allowing them space to run and live. Teach children similar respect for plants.

STOP WASTING

Waste happens in so many little ways. It may seem that that half a pan of beans that was thrown out, or the Styrofoam cups you used at the last gathering aren’t a problem, but they are. When we throw away good food we act as if there aren’t people starving. When we use products that aren’t biodegradable or recyclable we fill landfills with garbage. Consider that a handful of rice could keep a child alive for another few days. Don’t force yourself to eat more, but think about portions and take more notice of what your family will eat to avoid waste. You may find there is extra to share.

It saddens me to say I’ve been to the mosque on a Sunday morning to see pans of half eaten rice from the Walimah or Aqika the night before. If you have been blessed with the means to slaughter for a wedding or birth remember the Sunnah on the division of meat, and surely it wouldn’t hurt to feed the homeless in honor of your new marriage or child; Instead of feeding people who are not hungry and end up wasting food. If you are a guest, don’t be afraid to take the leftover food and eat it for breakfast or dinner. No, it is not glamorous, but alhamdulilah you will have avoided the sin of being wasteful.

“O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters.” (Surah Ar Raff 7:31)

There are many areas that we need to be conscious of, when it comes to being wasteful by excess. Below is a bullet list of ways to start being conscious of our place in this earth and do some benefit. Let’s leave every place we go to cleaner and better than when we first got there.

Curbing the consumer: In these times, the target of many marketing companies is the innocent children, whose little minds cannot process that they don’t need all of the stuff that the ads tell them they need. They will not know unless we teach them. If they get a new toy have them get rid of an old toy (or several), and do the same with their clothing. Teach them the concept of less is better (more). Don’t give them whatever they want, and once they are old enough let them earn their toys and gadgets. Ultimately, they will be happier with less stuff to clean up and will make wiser choices about the type of toys they get.

Recycle: Have kids wash out cans, and cartons, peal labels, and put recyclables into the correct container. These days recycling is much easier than when I was kid. Back then, we would gather all of our recyclables and take them to the recycling plant. Nowadays it’s often as close as your garbage can or curbside garbage pick-up!

Volunteer: Look for volunteer opportunities at your local parks. Often, there are work crews that pull invasive plants, pick up trash, and plant trees. This is something that you should do with your kids. Give them a sense of civic responsibility and a lesson about the environment.

Pick up trash: Hey! It’s the Sunnah!

Educate Yourself: Find an informative documentary that talks about the earth, plants or animals, and efforts to protect it. Check out books from the library about the history of the region that you live in, and about plants and animals that are native to the area. Go to informative websites that focus on environmental issues

Plant a native plants garden: Vegetable gardens are great, but also consider planting a native plants garden. After researching about native plants, plant some! Consider having your yard certified as a natural habitat by a local fish and wildlife agency. This will give your children (and you) a chance to work with the soil and leave something beautiful to be enjoyed in all seasons. If you don’t have a yard there are often community gardens that you can request a plot in.

Shop wise: So many things to buy, buy, buy, buy, but where, where, where will you put it all? Teach kids a valuable lesson about consumerism. Buying ability makes people feel powerful, but empower yourself to buy products that are packaged in biodegradable packaging. Reduce the amount of needless buying. Buy household products that say they are “earth friendly” and recyclable. Read labels carefully and never hesitate to research a products environmental record.

Food: The food choices we make are so very important to the environment as well as our and our children’s well-being. Buy organic and buy local. Although there is much debate, there really should be none. Foods that are not organic have been sprayed with pesticides that have been proven to cause cancer. Also non-organic foods are likely to be GMO (Genetically Modified). Milk and meats that are not organic have often been treated in inhumane ways and fed a steady diet of antibiotics. Our children need us to make wise decisions about food for them. Organic is often more expensive (not always).  Organic farming practices have been proven to be better for the earth, and the foods are much healthier for our children. [1]

Halal food choices should be animals that are free range and fed organically to meet the requirements of Zabiha.

This is written from the viewpoint of a person living in the “1st” world. Everyone may not have the same access and availability. It is also important to know that people from many indigenous cultures worldwide already implement earth friendly practices as a way of life, that is part of their traditions

Whatever we do, our children see us doing it. Just like they see us making our salaat and reading the Quran, they can see us making wise decisions that impact the earth in healthy ways. How will you begin to protect the earth?

References:

[1]http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-206

Umm Yacoubi is a regular writer and contributor to Habibihalaqas, a web portal that provides resources for-sisters, by-sisters on a variety of Islamic subjects.

Photo credit from YouthfulSins and Pink Sherbet Photography

Food’s Complicated: Learning the UNcomplicated Prophetic Diet

By: Fatima Ashraf Our system of food production is becoming more and more complicated and we are becoming less and less confident in the quality of what’s going inside our bodies. Understanding food today is much more than reading nutrition facts labels. Last month, thousands of people on facebook posted a guide to decoding produce stickers.  Four numbers means chemically treated, five numbers starting with an ‘8’ means genetically modified, and five numbers starting with a ‘9’ means organic.

Learning and adhering to our Prophet’s diet is one way to maintain confidence in what we’re eating and to shift to a more uncomplicated foodstyle.  There are three practices of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) that I find especially helpful (and relatively easy!).

1)  Eat less, specifically, less meat

Food today is ominous. Generations of humans survived just fine without having vending machines, food trucks, and fast food spots at every turn.  According to NPR,  the US Department of Agriculture reported that the average American eats ONE TON of food each year. In simpler days, say those of seventh century Medinah, this amount of food consumption would be condemned (not to mention, impossible).

The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said, “Nothing is worse than a person who fills his stomach. It should be enough for the son of Adam to have a few bites to satisfy his hunger. If he wishes more, it should be: one-third for his food, one-third for his liquids, and one-third for his breath.” (Tirmidhi)

When it comes to meat, we all know the dangers of unchecked meat consumption — from food poisoning to chronic disease — and the horrid secrets of the factory farming industry are quickly being revealed to us. According to Dr. T Colin Campbell, author of “The China Study,” eating meat was a classist affair.  Our notions of meat and nutrition come from a very biased, elitist, and arrogant field of nutrition in nineteenth century Europe. If you were civilized, you ate plenty of protein. If you were rich, you ate meat, and if you were poor, you ate staple plant foods like potatoes and bread. The lower classes were considered lazy and inept as a result of not eating enough meat.

Even during the period of early Islam, it was the rich that ate meat once a week and the poor that saved it for Eid celebrations.  The Prophet (peace be upon him) was not a wealthy man. He did not eat meat often, and he generally warned against meat as he said, “Beware of meat. It has addictiveness like the addictiveness of wine.” (Malik) According to Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, there are no hadith mentioning the Prophet (peace be upon him) eating beef and there are plenty of hadith where the Prophet emphasizes the diseases that may result from beef consumption.

Eating less and eating less meat go hand-in-hand.  If you have ever sacrificed or watched the sacrifice of an animal, you know that it is serious business.  Ever since my husband sacrificed his first goat, he has reiterated that it is a difficult process and not one that he would like to do over and over again. He surely doesn’t want to become desensitized to taking a life (any life). For me, it’s important to know where my food — especially meat, comes from.  If I can’t trace the origin of the animal, it’s part of a complicated system that I’d like to avoid. Putting these two sentiments together results in my family’s dramatically decreased consumption of meat – we either sacrifice the animal ourselves or we go to a trusted, known source like Green Zabiha.

2)      Eat locally and seasonally

Prophet Muhammed (peace by upon him) was definitely not getting his dates shipped in from California or his milk trucked in from Wisconsin. His food was locally grown, and therefore, he ate what was in season. There is an ayat in the Quran that emphasizes eating seasonal foods. “It is He Who produces gardens, with trellises and without, and dates, and tilth with produce of all kinds, and olives and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in variety): eat of their fruit in their season, but render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered.” (Quran 6:141).

In the book “Green Deen,” Ibrahim Abdul-Matin discusses a hadith that relates that the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), when eating, ate from the dish closest to him.  Perhaps the spirit of this hadith can also be used to encourage Muslims to buy food from local sources (the ones closest to them).

Two years ago, my husband and I committed to joining a CSA – Community Supported Agriculture.  In our hood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn, a few hundred people gathered together, selected a farmer in upstate NY, and paid him to receive whatever produce his crops yielded for the winter and summer months. Every Saturday morning, we picked up our big box of fruits and veggies, and for the rest of the week knew, without complication, that we were eating wholesome, chemical free foods.

3)  Eat with others

While there might not be statistical facts and figures directly proving the health benefits of eating together, there is no doubt that eating with friends and family is far more fun than eating alone.  Perhaps sharing your food with others leads to you eating less.  Perhaps eating together results in laughter, and well, laughter is the best medicine!  The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said, “Eat together and not separately, for the blessing is associated with the company.” (Ibn Majah)

Anyone who invites guests to his/her house knows this. No matter how nervous you are about the quantity you have for everyone, it is always more than enough. Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) also said, “Whoever has food enough for two persons, should take a third one, and whoever has food enough for four persons, should take a fifth or a sixth.” (Bukhari)

With Ramadan in full swing, you all are likely breaking bread in congregation.  Why not try to adopt an uncomplicated foodstyle. As you purify your intentions and seek spiritual renewal, seek a confidence in what you are eating as well.

Fatima Ashraf is former senior policy advisor for health and education to Mayor Michael Bloomberg in New York City. Currently, in her new role as mom, she is committed to feeding her family and running her household in a health conscious, zero-waste way. She is also a contributing writer for the American Muslim Health Professionals(AMHP) where she has been featured as part of the “Healthy Ummah Series.”

Photo credit from kayepants

National Preach-In on Global Warming

The issue of climate change has become more prominent in recent years. Large storms have wreaked havoc across many urban centres this past summer and a series of droughts throughout the prairies have resulted in spikes in global grain prices. At home, Environment Canada is in the process of re-evaluating its benchmark calculations for precipitation and temperature patterns to reflect the changing climate. These predictive figures are used in building infrastructure to forecasting the mosquito season and the projections paint a grim and costly future. In the absence of proactive policy from the federal government, faith groups have stepped up to voice their concerns.

The National Preach-In on Global Warming (February 8-10, 2013) is an interfaith campaign that focuses on how climate disruption is affecting different communities worldwide. It calls on religious leaders in the United States to raise the issue in their congregations through their sermons, by facilitating discussions on climate change and engaging their youth on the importance of taking action from a moral and spiritual perspective.

Global warming is one of the biggest threats facing humanity today. The very existence of life — life that religious people are called to protect — is jeopardized by our continued dependency on fossil fuels for energy. Every major religion has a mandate to care for Creation. We were given natural resources to sustain us, but we were also given the responsibility to act as good stewards and preserve life for future generations. (Interfaith Power and Light)

The campaign provides resources for congregations that are interested and includes faith statements from the Islamic perspective. As stewards of the earth, Muslims have a responsibility to respect the earth and to ensure a livelihood for future generations. There are multiple references in the Quran that condone tampering with the balance of nature (Quran 55:8) and causing mischief upon the earth (Quran 28:77). Disrupting the carbon balance by clearing forests faster than they can regenerate and our increasing reliance on fossil fuels as a primary energy source are two examples of how we are contributing to global warming.

While it may seem like a daunting task, there are small actions we can take to reduce our individual impacts on the environment. The David Suzuki Foundation provides tips for reducing your carbon footprint under four broad categories.

Transportation:

• The next time you are looking to purchase a new vehicle, consider fuel-efficient options that are low in emissions. The prices for electric and hybrid vehicles have come down over the last few years and there are government incentives offered on certain models.
• Consider alternative forms of transit during your daily commute; such was biking, walking or public transit. Some employers are now offering to cover environmentally friendly modes of transit for their employees.
• Learn about the environmental impacts of air travel and use it sparingly if possible for vacation or leisure. This summer consider exploring the sights closer to home, or travel by coach or rail.

Energy:

• If you have older appliances or electronics at home, consider switching to more energy efficient models. The power consumption on older models can be as much as double compared to newer ones and many contain ozone-depleting chemicals that are no longer used.
• Perform an energy audit at home to identify possible heat loss during the winter. Seal any cracks or leaks around windows and doors and increase the insulation in your attic. Also, take an inventory of electronics in your home and minimize the amount of vampire power that is wasted.

Food:

• Choose products that are locally made and opt for seasonal produce where possible. The food on our plate may travel thousands of miles, contributing towards global warming.
• Avoid wasting food. At least a third of the food that is produced is wasted through transport, spoilage or thrown away by the consumer. The carbon invested in growing, harvesting, producing and transporting these foods are wasted when food is thrown away.

Be Proactive:

• Join The National Preach-In on Global Warming and urge your Imam/religious leaders to bring attention of climate change issues to your congregations.
• Raise the issue of climate change and global warming with your elected representatives. Canada has pulled out of its Kyoto commitments because we as citizens have not made it priority for our politicians.
• Lead by example! Encourage others in your social circle to adopt carbon neutral practices and educate them on possible alternatives.

Like many of the environmental issues that face us today, collective action plays a key role in alleviating the problem. Becoming more aware and educating others goes a long way in changing carbon-intensive behaviours that could adversely affects us as a society in the future. Irregardless of the faith, we all have a collective role to play in ensuring a safe and healthy planet for future generations.

Allah, in His Wisdom, appointed humans… to be His vice regents on earth. And while Allah has invited people to partake of the fruits of the earth for their rightful nourishment and enjoyment, He has also directed them not to waste that which Allah has provided for him—for He loveth not wasters. (Muslim World League)

Alhamdulillah for Icicles

Icicles form when ice or snow is melted and the runoff flows to an area below freezing causing the water to refreeze. Icicles come in various shapes and sizes depending on the surface, flow and direction of the melted water. As most of the country heads back into another deep freeze, take a moment to reflect on the simple purity of icicles whose form and evolving shape reminds us of how great things are built from small actions.

Photo Credit: cameronparkins

About the Series

The “Alhamdulillah Series” was inspired by Ruzky Aliyar who featured a series of nature images with the tagline “Alhamdulillah”. The series was profiled on Muslim Matters during the Winter of 2012 and quickly drew praise for the simplicity of the message. Building upon this effort to remember the many blessings of Allah, Khaleafa.com has picked up the initiative and will continue to highlight the many signs of Allah.

"There truly are signs in this for people who reflect." (Quran 13:3)

Water and Islam: A Sign for the Ummah

By Khaled Dardir

Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?  [Qur’an 21:30]

What a powerful verse in the Quran. All living things are made from water, and rely on water making it such a crucial part of our existence and yet we take it for granted. We forget the teaching of the Prophet (PBUH), when he directed us to be conservative with the water and not wasteful. Also, the scarcity of water on this planet is a reality the affects all of us. Let us explore your role as a Muslim on conserving water.

First let’s present some basic statistics: 75% of our planet is water. We are technically a blue planet. 97% of all the water is sea water which cannot be used for cleaning, drinking, farming, irrigation, manufacturing, etc.  Of the 3% remaining freshwater 79% of it is frozen as icecaps, and 20% is groundwater. That leaves 0.0003% of the entire world water supply in rivers, lakes, etc. that can be claimed as clean, usable, and easily accessible water.

In other words, over 1 billion people do not have access to clean water. It is our duty as Muslims and human beings to protect the planet for our children and future generations. The majority of the 1 billion who suffer from not having access to clean water are in Muslim countries. Ensuring that our brothers and sisters in all parts of the world have easy access to safe drinking water is our responsibility as Muslims. The Prophet (PBUH) gave us a prime example of this by saying: “The Muslim Ummah is like one body. If the eye is in pain then the whole body is in pain and if the head is in pain then the whole body is in pain.”

How can we function if the majority of our Ummah is sick or dying?

The Prophet (PBUH) was reported to have told one of his wives, Ai’shah (RA): “The day you give water to people out of charity, and especially if it is the time when people are in dire need of water, or during the dry season when people are greatly suffering from scarcity of water, you will have the reward of one who sets a slave-girl free.”

There are several programs which help build wells in impoverished nations. These wells often last multiple decades, thus providing an entire generation within the area with clean water.

This reminds me of one of my favorite hadiths; Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet said, "A man felt very thirsty. While he was on the way, there he came across a well. He went down the well, quenched his thirst and came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. He said to himself, ‘this dog is suffering from thirst as I did.’ So, he went down the well again, filled his shoe with water, held it with his mouth and watered the dog. Allah appreciated him for that deed and forgave him." The Companions said, "O Allah's Messenger! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?" He replied: "There is a reward for serving any living being." (Bukhari)

This was about an animal; imagine 1.1 billion people if not more?

That is the severity of it. But our local masjids and congregation tend to believe wudu (ritual cleaning) is related to how much water we use. Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-`Aas (RA) reported that the Prophet passed one day by Sa`d ibn Abi Waqas (RA) while he was performing wudu' (ritual cleaning of body parts in preparation for prayer). The prophet asked Sa`d, "Why is this wastage?" Sa`d replied "Is there wastage in wudu also?" The Prophet said, "Yes, even if you are at a flowing river." (Ahmad and authenticated Ahmad Shakir)

So what is acceptable use of water for Wudu? Sayyidinah Safinah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) performed ablution with a mu’dd of water and the purifying bath with a sa’ of water.Jami'i at Tirmidhi

These are the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH), who was helping us avoid a disaster before it was even considered. Our brothers and sisters in Indonesia, recently lost all of their freshwater reserves, and are left drinking ditch water. The threat is real so reflect on the guidance of the Prophet in this area as it proves ever helpful and relevant.

Khaled Dardir has recently completed a Master of Science specializing in the chemistry and is currently enrolled as a student in Mishkah pursuing a bachelors in Islamic Studies. He is the founder and Chief Coordinator of the non-profit organization The Building Blocks of New Jersey whose mission is: “To aid self development, promote activism, and bolster community building”

Photo credit from deqalb

Islam and Fair Trade

International trade and globalization has had some benefits including alleviating poverty in the developing world and raising the standard of living of millions within these countries. However, the impacts have been uneven in some industries which have left many producers vulnerable to exploitation. Small scale producers, such as farmers, are unable to compete with foreign subsidies and trade restrictions placed on their goods, which leaves them at a disadvantage when seeking a share of the international market.

While there are many factors that can be attributed for this (skillset, infrastructure, incomplete markets, and governing policy), the fact remains that many of these marginalized producers are either excluded or susceptible to fluctuations of commodity markets.

What is fair trade?

The concept of fair trade aims to promote a more sustainable relationship between the rich and poor by including these producers in the global economy and providing them with a secure and fair income for their products. Often this includes providing training to develop and diversify their business in an effort to become self-sustaining over the long-term. While the term ‘fair trade’ can refer to anything from handicrafts to clothing, it is predominantly associated with cash crops such as coffee and cotton.

What is the Islamic perspective on fair trade?

Historically, trade and commerce played a crucial role in the spread of Islam. Mecca was a centre of commerce and caravans from Asia to Africa passed through on a regular basis. As a result, there are many teachings within the Quran and Sunnah relating to business transactions, trade and ethics. The Prophet (PBUH) promoted fairness and equity and indicated that one should not involve themselves in transactions that will cause greater harm than benefit to the community and the environment.

The Quran also quite clearly emphasizes the importance placed on justice and fairness when dealing in trade.

"Deal not unjustly, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly." (Quran 2:279)

"Eat not up each other's property by unfair and dishonest means." (Quran 4:29)

"Give full measure and full weight in justice, and wrong not people in respect of their goods." (Quran 11:85)

Sustainable development and social justice are two aspects of fair trade that run parallel to the teachings of Islam. Creating opportunities for marginalized producers, ensuring equitable wages and safe working environments for employees and ensuring that the environment is protected for future generations are all intertwined teachings of Islam and are supported by fair trade. In fact, Islamic principles go beyond the mission of the fair trade movement as it forbids speculation markets, hoarding goods to increase returns and interest as a tool for reinforcing poverty.

What can I do in my community?

The most effective action you can take is to raise awareness about the importance of fair trade and the inherent connection with Islam. Consider switching to fair trade products at home and at work and encourage others to do the same. You could also hold a fair trade iftaar during Ramadan or sell fair trade products at your mosque as a fundraising initiative. Mosques serve as the hub of our community, so consider making yours a fair trade mosque that chooses to use and support fair trade products. Ask your Imam to deliver a khutbah on the benefits of fair trade ahead of  World Fair Trade Day in May.

Islamic Relief has a wealth of resources online for those considering implementing fair trade products into their local mosque, school and workplace including posters, event ideas and educational material.

For more information on fair trade, please visit:

Islam and Fair Trade

An Islamic Perspective on Fair Trade

The Canadian Fair Trade Network

CBC News IN DEPTH: Fair trade

The Prophetic Diet: The Perfect New Year’s Resolution

By: Moutasem Atiya & Hasan Awan, M.D.It is probably the most common New Year’s resolution. We have likely made it ourselves, or have heard it from countless friends and family. It goes something like "This year I will lose weight and get fit." The stampede to the gym ensues, and about three weeks later our resolution finds itself buried inside our mashed potatoes at the Cheesecake Factory. A familiar story, we all know. So how do we break the cycle? The answer involves reorienting our eating habits with that of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).

Qur'anic Perspective on Food

Allah touches on two extremely important points in the Qur'an when it comes to food consumption: quantity and quality.

As to food quantity, He states:

وَڪُلُواْ وَٱشۡرَبُواْ وَلَا تُسۡرِفُوٓاْ‌ۚ

Eat and drink, but not to excess

As to food quality, He states:

يـأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُلُواْ مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَـكُمْ

O people of faith, eat from the pure provisions we have given you

These verses are the golden rules of food consumption. Both the quantity and quality of food we eat have a direct impact on our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Excessive food consumption and poor food choices can lead to obesity. According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention,  a staggering 35.7 percent of U.S. adults suffer from obesity and 17 percent of adolescents aged from 2-19 are obese. Americans on average currently consume 31 percent more calories than we did forty years ago. Obesity can lead to countless health problems, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, anxiety and depression.

So what is the solution to this growing problem? It begins with changing our approach to food.

The Messenger and Food Quantity

“The worst vessel the son (or daughter) of Adam ever fills in his (or her) stomach.  It is enough for the son of Adam to eat a few morsels that will maintain his back’s uprightness.  But if he must add more to his stomach, then let it be one third for food, one third for water, and one third for air."

The statement is a stark warning and profound advice from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). He is not advocating starvation here, but drawing our attention to the dangers (both physical and spiritual) of overeating and how little food we really need to live.

The way most of us approach food and its consumption is fundamentally flawed. We eat for sport, not survival. When we are bored, we eat. When we see food, we eat. When we watch Food Network, we eat. It is very rare we eat when we are hungry and when we do eat we overeat.

So what is the correct way of approaching food consumption? One Prophetic answer to this is fasting.

Fasting was a regular part of the Messenger's life. He would fast every Monday and Thursday. He would also fast the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th of each month. Once you add them up you get eleven days, or roughly one-third of the month in which the Messenger would fast.

When the Messenger was not fasting, he was "intermittently fasting", eating only once a day. If he ate in the morning, he would not eat again until the next morning. If he ate at night, he would not eat until the next night. He once stated, “A believer eats with one stomach while a nonbeliever eats with seven stomachs." The profound import of this Prophetic statement points to the importance of rooting even our food consumption in faith and the Sacred. It is interesting to note that even ascetics of other religions (such as Buddhist monks) eat one meal a day. This prophetic advice of fasting and intermittent fasting has even recently been championed by some contemporary fitness gurus today.

Now we are all aware of some of the great spiritual rewards of fasting, but I want to share with you and emphasize some of the physical results of regular fasting as well. Many Muslims do not realize that when the Qur'an states that the purpose of fasting is to increase taqwa (God-Awareness), this "taqwa" attained through fasting should also manifest itself on a physical level. These physical results of fasting may have some of the following benefits :

-Reduce blood pressure

-Reduce risk of developing cancer

-Decrease oxidative stress

-Protect against degenerative brain diseases

-Increase fat burning

-Improve blood sugar control and appetite control

-Increase sense of well-being

The Messenger and Food Quality

The Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) was a careful and healthy eater. His diet was simple, but packed with nutrients. Among the food he would regularly eat:

- Dates

-Watermelon

-Barley Bread

-Yogurt

-Olive oil

-Cucumber

-Honey

-Milk

-Gourd

-Meat (on occasion)

It is important to note that the Messenger’s diet did not center on meat. It is well known in the modern context as well as through most of the world's wisdom-traditions that excessive consumption of meat can lead to serious physical and spiritual aliments. There is currently a push in America to make every Monday “Meatless”, and this is something I think all of us should join.  The proponents of this initiative cite evidence that keeping your red meat consumption at bay can limit your cancer risk, reduce heart disease, fight diabetes and curb obesity. You can check it out for yourself here: http://www.meatlessmonday.com/why-meatless/

The Messenger and Exercise

By all accounts, the Messenger of Allah was what could be described today as a "power walker". Abu Hurairah once said, “I did not see anyone walk faster than him, as if the earth folded for him. A few moments ago he would be here, and then there. We found it difficult to keep pace when we walked with him and he walked at his normal pace.” When another companion complained to the Messenger about being overweight, the Prophet advised him to walk fast, or in other words, power walk! The health benefits of walking are too many to numerate, but here are a few:

· Low Impact Exercise – Many of my friends complain of bad knees and joints. Walking can help improve those issues

· Build Aerobic Fitness – A strenuous walk can help build up your maximal oxygen consumption

· Burn Fat – Power walking, for 4-plus hours a week, has been proven to burn fat.

· Stress Relief and Means of Meditation (Fikr) – A brisk walk is a great time to collect your thoughts and reflect on Allah's signs (ayaat) in the world and our life.

Our New Year Resolutions should not be to go on just another diet. Instead let us try and align our health habits to some degree to what could be called the "Prophetic Diet"! If you start to add fasting, better food choices with whole and pure foods in lesser quantity, and power walking into your weekly mix you will, God willing, see a renewed sense of spiritual and physical well-being. Better yet, you will be reviving three habits of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).

Moutasem Atiya & Hasan Awan, M.D. are contributors to the Al-Madina Institute, an educational institution of higher learning committed to prioritizing the Quran and Authentic Sunnah as implemented by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Moutasem Atiya has been actively involved in the Metropolitan DC communities through classes, speaking engagements, and Friday khutbahs on a regular basis for the past 10 years.  Dr. Hasan Awan is a medical doctor practicing in the Baltimore area and empowers his patients to participate in their own wellbeing.

Originally published online on December 31 2012 on the Al-Madina Institute website (http://almadinainstitute.org/)

Khaleafa.com - Year in Review

As we enter a new year with new beginnings, I thought I would take the first post to highlight some of the accomplishments of Khaleafa.com over the past year and set the stage for some upcoming initiatives that we have planned for 2013. We have grown by leaps and bounds over the last year, and I would like to thank all of you for your continued support and encouragement in raising the profile of environmentalism within our community. The Green Khutbah Campaign was launched this past spring to coincide with Earth Day. The goal was to encourage mosques, schools and Islamic Institutions across North America to devote their Friday Khutbah to raise awareness on the environmental challenges facing humanity. The campaign garnered the support of over 75 Imams/Organizations across North America, Europe and Africa and quickly went viral over the course of two weeks. This coming year we are planning to expand on the initiative and will be working with several organizations to carry the message out to a broader audience.

The Think Green: Creating Sustainable Communities session brought together community activists to discuss what it means to be a green Muslim, as well as how to identify and implement environmental initiatives within a diverse community. The roundtable participants engaged in a lively discussion that covered issues such as the concept of a Green Community, the projects and initiatives they would like to see implemented and potential limitations that they may have experienced. What came out of the discussion was a framework on how to proceed and how the environmental message can be incorporated into our community.

This summer the ISNA Youth Food Bank Committee and the experts from EcoSource partnered up for the first ISNA Mosque Community Planting Day. The joint venture took place at the Iceland Teaching Garden in Mississauga and involved weeding the community garden, mulching and tilling the site and planting vegetables for the upcoming season. Participants also learned about planting techniques, integrated pest management and the importance of locally grown, organic produce. The crop that is grown in this garden will be donated to the Eden Community Food Bank through the Mississauga Sustainable Agriculture Project. This project parallels the mandate of the ISNA Youth Food Bank, which has grown to serve over 150 families in the west end of the Greater Toronto Area.

This past fall Khaleafa.com and Greening Sacred Spaces collaborated on an event entitled Water – A Sacred Trust at the Islamic Foundation of Toronto that drew over 50 attendees from various congregations and faith groups. The goal of the seminar was to rekindle our connection towards the sanctity of water, provide proactive tips that faith groups can use to increase awareness within their congregations and to optimize the overall water efficiency within our homes and institutions. Speakers at the event included Adrian O’Driscoll, Supervisor of Stewardship & Outreach Education at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Stan Gibson, Executive Director of Ecologos and Muaz Nasir, Program Officer from Toronto Water. The response from the event was overwhelmingly positive and attendees left with a better sense of their personal relationship with water and the meaning of water to humanity.

Khaleafa.com was also proud to promote the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, joining with other citizens who are seeking to reduce the harmful effects of litter on fragile aquatic ecosystems and their surrounding shoreline environments. At the Finch Meander in Rouge Park, located in the north-east of Toronto, a number of Muslim groups collaborated in the environmental cleanup, including CivicMuslims, Khaleafa.com, Canadian Muslim Fellowship of Scouting, the Islamic Institute of Toronto and the Pickering Islamic Centre. Shoreline Cleanups occur in every province and territory and in 2011 the Shoreline Cleanup celebrated its 18th anniversary with more than 56,000 volunteers. It is now recognized as one of the largest direct action conservation programs, as well as the most significant contributor to the International Coastal Cleanup in Canada.

The year ended on a high note with Khaleafa.com being nominated for the Brass Crescent Award for “Best New Blog”. The Brass Crescent Awards were created in 2004 with the purpose of promoting the best writing of the Muslim web and exposing them to a greater number of readers. Since then it has grown to become one of the most anticipated awards within the Muslim blogosphere and continues to encourage creative new talent within our communities. Although we did not win, it was humbling to be considered alongside such great writers in this category and provided us with greater recognition within the online Muslim community.

This coming year we hope to build upon last year's achievements and kickstart some new projects in partnership with other environmental organizations. As always, if you have any suggestions or ideas for initiatives you would like to see in your community, feel free to contact us by e-mail through our website or send us a message on Facebook.

May Allah bless you with safe, happy and green New Year!

Climate Change: It’s a Muslim Problem

By Sameer Zaheer

When one thinks of Muslim problems, places like Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan pop in the mind. Perhaps, Somalia and Darfur, if one reads beyond headlines. Certainly, Muslims in those areas are afflicted, but together these areas represent only a fraction of the Muslim world. However, there are a set of problems that affect a vast majority of Muslims in the world. One of these problems is climate change.

Climate change will adversely affect the world and Muslim majority countries are no exception. Decreased food production, as well as the melting of Himalayan glaciers and rise in sea levels will affect the lives of millions of Muslims. Economic difficulties, natural disasters and creation of refugees (due to disasters) can often disrupt the stability of a region. In fact, climate change has the potential of igniting armed conflict in much of the Muslim world.

Modern day climate change, sometimes called global warming, corresponds to the general increase in the earth’s temperature. Such a change will cause sea levels to rise (because of thermal expansion of water and melting of glaciers), and will alter the distribution of precipitation. Catastrophes such as flooding, drought, spread of disease, desertification of previously fertile areas are being predicted as a consequence.

Impact of climate change on the Muslim world Climate change will adversely affect the world and Muslim majority countries are no exception. Decreased food production, as well as the melting of Himalayan glaciers and rise in sea levels will affect the lives of millions of Muslims. Economic difficulties, natural disasters and creation of refugees (due to disasters) can often disrupt the stability of a region. In fact, climate change has the potential of igniting armed conflict in much of the Muslim world.

Decreased food production Since 1980, increased temperatures have already been causing a reduction in the global yield of wheat, maize and barley. The 2009 Report of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) warned of depletion of agricultural land and spread of disease (e.g. malaria) in Arab countries.

Melting of Himalayan glaciers An increase in the melting rate of the glaciers of the Himalayas can have devastating impact on Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, home to 1/3 of the global Muslim population. Indeed the Indian Space Research Organization has reported shrinking glaciers, and a recent study found that the temperature there had increased 2.2 ◦C over the past 20 years. Subsequently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted increased flooding over the next 30 years, and then a sharp reduction in the water supply that feeds these three countries.

Rise in sea levels The AFED reported that 12% of Egypt’s farmland is at risk due to rise in sea levels, while another UN study suggests 8 million people will be displaced in Egypt if the sea level rises by just 1 meter. A rise of sea level by a foot, which could happen as early as 2040, would render 12% of Bangladesh’s population homeless. The risk of rise in sea levels presents an even greater problem in island Muslim countries. Indonesia, the largest Muslim country, announced in 2007 that it could lose about 2,000 of its 18,000 islands by 2030. The problem is so bad in the Maldives, another island Muslim country, that the current government is considering purchasing land to relocate the country’s entire population!

Causes of climate change Modern day climate change is attributed to a number of factors, but one stands out above all others: increased greenhouse gasses as a result of human activity. Since the Industrial Revolution humans have been releasing an increased amount of greenhouse gasses such as CO2 and methane at an unprecedented rate. This only accelerated in the post-world war II period. While there are many sources of emissions, burning fossil fuels has caused 75% of these emissions over 20 years.

It’s sad that there are many who deny either global warming, or the human cause of it, or both, despite the scientific evidence. The current evidence on climate change was assessed by IPCC and hasn’t been challenged by any national or international scientific body.

While Western countries contribute disproportionately to the problem, the rest of the world isn’t without blame. As of 2006, China and India were amongst the top 10 CO2 emitters, while on a per capita basis, the top four emitters were Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain. And while Indonesia doesn’t directly emit a lot of greenhouse gasses, its destruction of its lush rainforests is making a huge contribution to CO2 emissions, since trees soak up carbon dioxide when they’re alive. Greenhouse gas emissions, the chief cause of climate change, are a problem worldwide.

What we can do about it Many approaches can be taken to solving the problem of climate change, and no one approach is necessarily superior. Let’s look at how we can use Islamic principles of simplicity, foresight, dialogue and prayer to tackle the problem.

Simple lifestyle If we look to the Sunnah of the prophet (peace be upon him), we see that he lived a lifestyle that was in accordance with the resources available, and one that did not exalt him above others. His bedding was crude, and he had few spare clothes. According to one report, there was hardly a day when the prophet had two square meals. During the digging of the trench, he starved just like the rest of his companions. Of course, the prophet’s intention was not inflict pain upon himself, it was only to conform his lifestyle with both the resources available, and so that his lifestyle was similar to everyone else.

Yet one of today’s problems is that some of us are consuming far more than others. These over consumers, then, tend to have a bigger carbon footprint (a measure of CO2 emissions per person). This overconsumption can be seen in our desire to constantly buy everything and waste much of it once we’re done. It can be seen when some of us will drive everywhere, instead of walking, biking, or taking transit as much of the world does. Ask yourself: if the prophet knew that much of Muslims and mankind was living with limited means, would he engage in such an extravagant lifestyle?

Foresight Whilst in prison, Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) was inquired of the interpretation of a dream. He explained that there would be seven years of prosperity followed by seven years of famine. He then advised that the surplus food production during prosperity be saved to make up for the deficit during famine. Prophet Yusuf was advising people to not just focus on the short-term but also on the long-term.

One of the biggest excuses given for the lack of action on climate change is that it will harm our economy today. While it is true that cutting greenhouse gas emissions today is not the best for our economy, we can’t ignore the catastrophic consequences of such inaction upon our future. This useful lesson for our leaders can also be applied to our every day lives. For example, buying energy saving appliances today will help reduce the change in climate tomorrow, not to mention the savings in electricity costs.

Dialogue The Qur’an tells us to call upon people to do good, and for them to shun wrong. While this is an obligation upon everyone, Canadian Muslims are in a unique position for dialogue. As Muslims, we can influence the ideas of the Muslim world. Many of us are immigrants, and still have close ties with our family in our native countries. We can use these ties to educate them about the issue. But we also have ties to influential people. For example, Dr. Tareq al-Swaidan, who often visits Canada and speaks to Muslims here, is also influential in Kuwait, which is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gasses per capita. Perhaps Muslims can have dialogue with the eminent scholar so that he raises awareness for the issue in his native country.

As Canadians, we can lobby our leaders and politicians to adopt policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We can raise awareness about the issue by organizing talks, distributing literature, using social networking and in many other ways. Finally, we can act as good role models for everyone else by reducing our own consumption. There are many Muslim activists in Canada protesting against wars in Palestinian territories and Afghanistan. It’s high time we started protesting against greenhouse gas emissions.

Prayer In the Qur’an, Allah asks us to call upon Him in prayers and He promises to answer them. Given that mankind is dependent upon Allah in every way, we certainly won’t be able to stop climate change without our Creator’s assistance.

However, our prayers need to be accompanied by action. The prophet always made prayers, but he also strove in his missions as hard as could. We, too, need to work hard to fight climate change, while asking Allah for help in this noble endeavour.

After all, the Qur’an says: “Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people unless they change their inner selves.” (13:11)

Sameer Zaheer is a Master's Student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto and currently writes for The Muslim Voice. Engineering has taught him the value of sustainability, and Islam has taught him to always remember those less fortunate than him.

Originally published online on March 21 2012 in The Muslim Voice, a publication of the University of Toronto - Muslim Student Association  (http://tmv.uoftmsa.com/).

Figs, Dates, Laurel and Myrrh - Plants of the Bible and Quran

Within the holy scriptures of the Abrahamic faiths, there are numerous references made in passing to elements of nature. Some are made in a descriptive form to allude to traits or behaviors, while others describe the beneficial or medicinal uses of specific plants. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in these plants and what we can learn about them from a historical and religious perspective. Figs, Dates, Laurel and Myrrh – Plants of the Bible and the Quran, by Lytton Musselman, examines the history and culture of these plants and how the society of the time was influenced by the ecology of their surroundings. This comparative analysis also reviews the ethnobotanical relationship of the traditional plants and explores the differences observed within Christianity and Islam.

The goal of the book is two-fold. The first is to help readers of the scriptures better understand the ecological and cultural factors that led to the inclusion of various plants within the teachings. The second is to provide insight into the plants themselves and reflect upon the diversity of form, colour, smell and use.

Musselman notes upfront the limitations of writing a book on such a topic which requires both a familiarity of the botanical history of the region and a strong background of the theology of the religious texts. There is also a literary style that is often lost in translation such as inadvertent descriptions or the identification of plants that are not native to the region.

The book itself lists over 100 plants documented within the Bible and Quran with one chapter devoted to each plant. This includes a short botanical description of its morphology, characteristics of its growing and harvesting cycle, its habitat range, the scriptural context in which it was described and its current uses today.

The number of well-defined plants within the Quran is about a quarter of those described within the Bible, with many of them overlapping both books. The observed difference is due to the Quran being shorter than the Bible and the semi-arid climate in which it was revealed.

Many of the plants have symbolic meanings that are linked to the scriptural imagery that is often expanded in practice. Examples of plants and their products described in the book are embedded in Middle-East culture. However, there are other plants that are less familiar to us today; either because they are not extensively used or they were traditionally imported from other regions. There are also plants that cannot be identified either because there are several meanings or the common names have eventually replaced the original species.

Overall the book is a good resource for those interested in exploring the background of the plants within the Bible and Quran. The historical context and evolution of their use provides an interesting framework to structure the book and cohesively ties in with the botanical descriptions of each plant. Where the plant is described in both scriptures, a comparison between contexts is made to demonstrate their respective importance within each faith. Musselman strives to maintain scientific rigor when identifying and describing each species, which provides a comprehensive picture of the ecology of the region and evolution of their use. This enables the reader to pair their understanding of the religious history to form a complete picture of how the interaction of the environment shaped the culture and development of each religion. I would highly recommend this book to those interested in the ecological aspects of religion or those curious about the use of plants in the holy scriptures.

Muslims for White Ribbon

Over the past year Khaleafa.com has featured articles on various aspects of the natural environment and our interaction with it. Recognizing the relationship towards the outside world and the need to conserve has been a primary focus of this website as we strive to encourage discussion and action on these issues.

However, the environment at home is also a significant component of our faith and ensuring a safe, respectful and inclusive environment is equally as important. This is why Khaleafa.com is proud to the support the Muslims for White Ribbon campaign, designed to break the silence towards domestic violence within our community.

For more information about the campaign and sign the pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls,please visit http://muslimsforwhiteribbon.com/

About                                      

What is the White Ribbon Campaign?

The White Ribbon Campaign is the largest grassroots effort in the world of men working to end violence against women. [see: www.whiteribbon.ca].

What does it mean to wear a White Ribbon?

Wearing a White Ribbon is a pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls.

What are our Objectives?

• Break the silence on violence against women in the Muslim community by encouraging Mosques and organizations to sponsor awareness events and deliver a Friday Khutba (on December 14) on this issue.
• Promote healthy and non-violent relationships through education.
• Create partnerships among Mosques, women’s organizations, and social agencies to create a future with no violence against women.

When is the Muslims for White Ribbon Campaign? The Campaign will be run from November 25, 2012 [International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women] and culminate in White Ribbon Days at RIS at the Metro Convention Centre (Dec 21 – Dec 23).

The National Khutba Campaign on Violence against Women will be on Friday, December 14, 2012.

Who are we? We are a committee of volunteers – fathers, sons, grandfathers, brothers, uncles, and friends. We strongly believe that violence against women and girls is unacceptable and we are committed to working with our fellow citizens to eliminate it.

My Prophet was a Tree-Hugger, and so am I

By Mohammed Ashour As a society, we often misappropriate certain virtues and present them as vices. Shyness denotes low self-esteem. Introversion is seen as a sign of weak leadership, and 'followership' is simply never taught in business schools. This is so, even though shyness is a vital precursor to humility, corporations owe their very existence to the commitment of dedicated followers, and some of the world's leading CEOs are shockingly introverted.

The same is true for those who are deridingly labelled 'tree-huggers' for their environmental consciousness. (Tellingly, the misappropriation of environmental-friendliness as a negative trait is not unique to North American culture. In Egypt, a person who is seen as socially brash or culturally unsophisticated is insultingly branded as "bee'a", literally meaning, "environment".) While it is true that words like "green" and "sustainable" have become feel-good staples of our everyday lingo, there is no denying that being called a "tree-hugger" is still very much insulting to many people.

To be sure, our faith has a commitment to environmental-consciousness that long pre-dates the trendiness of all things "green". From explicit Divine commands that we do not waste, to urgent appeals from the Prophet Muhammad to "plant a tree even if it is your last deed", Islam is arguably the most explicitly "green" of all the monotheistic faiths. Yet, paradoxically and shamefully, many Muslims have become amongst the most wasteful inhabitants of this planet.

Losing the Way

Last year, over 1300 people in Qatar had to be hospitalized due to "excessive eating" on the first two-days of Eid-ul Adha. According to a report by The National, over 500 tons of food are thrown every day during Ramadan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). And as far as the most precious natural resource on our planet goes, residents of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are amongst the biggest wasters of water in the world.

Lest any reader dismiss these as extreme, anecdotal cases, consider the report by the CDIAC with data from the United Nations about carbon dioxide emissions around the world. Most of us are not surprised to learn that China and the United States produce the first and second highest total amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the world, respectively. In fact, their emission levels are so large that they simply eclipse those of other countries. Not surprisingly, this makes China and the U.S. very easy targets of public outrage and very convenient villains in most "how-not-to-treat-the-environment" campaigns.

However, if we were to control for the population differences between countries, we even out the playing field for a more meaningful (and fair) analysis. Thus, when we compare the per capita carbon dioxide emissions per country, a totally different picture emerges. And it is not flattering for Muslims.

Pound for pound, Qatar produced the highest levels of carbon dioxide emissions of any other country in the world in 2009. Kuwait ranked fourth, UAE sixth, Bahrain eighth, Saudi Arabia thirteenth, and Oman fifteenth. In other words, almost half of the top fifteen carbon dioxide emitting countries in the world (per capita) were Muslim majority countries.

Fortunately, Muslims around the world are beginning to wake up from the cognitive dissonance between the teachings they know and the practices they embrace. From efforts to combat food wastage in the U.A.E. to government regulation in Saudi Arabia to reduce pollution, there are measurable improvements to the dismal track record of Muslim majority countries on the 'green' scale. Still, it is feared that many of these efforts are at best too little, if not too late. Also, it is particularly disappointing that Muslim majority countries are simply riding the sustainability wagon instead of driving it forward. This leaves one to wonder whether these countries are going green out of altruism or if, like almost every other country, they are simply caving to social pressure and opportunism.

The Tree-Hugging Prophet

As Muslims, we believe that all living things are imbued with a spirit, even if its exact nature and form remains obscure and mysterious. Furthermore, we believe these living things are engaged in their own form of sacred worship, and for this reason, we are taught to treat our environment with a measure of tenderness, respect, and love. Perhaps no one more aptly demonstrates this than Prophet Muhammad himself.

As the leader of the Friday congregation, Prophet Muhammad was accustomed to delivering the sermon near a tree stump. As his followers continued to grow in number, members of his congregation offered to build him a pulpit. The idea was that a pulpit would help project the Prophet's voice and make him more visible to a growing audience. Seeing this in the best interest of his community, the Prophet agreed and the pulpit was constructed.

When the Prophet ascended the pulpit to deliver his sermon the following Friday, he and his companions heard the tree stump sob uncontrollably. The stump, having become accustomed to its near proximity to the Prophet on Fridays, could no longer bear the reality of having to perpetually miss him now that he has permanently moved away.

Unwilling to ignore its cries, the Prophet quickly descended from the pulpit, rushed to the tree stump, and embraced it like a little child. Cuddled in his arms, it wailed and wailed and gasped and wailed and cracked and wailed some more. The Prophet continued to soothe the tree stump until it calmed down, all the while hugging it and not letting go.

 I am a Tree Hugger

In a world where good words are given bad meaning, many of us are likely to contribute to these ongoing misappropriations without realizing it. Thus, reserved individuals will object to being labelled "shy", quiet musers will deny being "introverts" and followers will insist that they are leaders. By doing so, these individuals will at once deny their [virtuous] essence and reinforce the notion that being shy or introverted or a follower are somehow bad things.

For this reason, I urge every Muslim to play a part in re-appropriating these good words by giving them back their good meanings. So the next time someone calls you a "tree-hugger" with a snort of derision, do not get defensive or offensive. Instead, remember that it is a customary sunnah because your Prophet did it, embrace the label with every ounce of pride you can muster, and declare:

"My Prophet was a Tree-Hugger, and so am I."

Mohammed Ashour is a writer, public speaker and community activist who resides in Montreal, Canada. He completed a B.Sc. in Life Sciences at the University of Toronto, followed by a M.Sc. in Neuroscience at McGill University. He is presently pursuing a joint MD/MBA program at McGill University and can be followed on his blog: Rest Assured - Thoughts of a Canadian Muslim

Photo credit from PTzero 

Men's Health and Movember

 

For those of you not aware, this is Movember, the annual campaign where men across the country grow moustaches to raise awareness and funds to fight prostate cancer. While the Muslims for Movember movement is still in its infancy, the campaign has raised the profile of prostate cancer and has brought to light some of the causes and new treatment options into the public domain.

To coincide with the Movember awareness campaign, Environmental Defense released a report this week analyzing the toxicity of ingredients in men’s bodycare products. For this study they asked five men from four provinces what products they used most then tested 17 of them for their contents. Their findings were startling with four of the products containing probable human carcinogens, five containing chemicals known to harm male reproductive health and 10 which had artificial musk, some of which are known to disrupt hormones in animals. Many of the chemicals found in these products were linked to cancer, birth defects, sperm damage, obesity, asthma and other chronic health problems.

What is worrisome are the effects of these chemicals once they are released into the environment and waterways, where they can linger and bioaccumulate, adversely affecting natural ecosystems. One only has to look at the effects of DDT to see the connection.

So what do these results mean? On their own these chemicals occur in such trace amounts there would be little cause for concern. However, daily exposure in combination with chemicals from other products have cumulative effects on the body that are not fully understood. Taking into consideration the interactions between chemicals, the environment and individual genetics can produce varying results. It is impossible to know the consequences of all possible combinations, creating what is referred to as the ‘cocktail effect’.

There are several steps you can take to protect yourself and loved ones from unnecessary exposure to harmful chemicals in personal care products:

1)    Choose safer alternatives: Environmental Defense has compiled a list chemicals commonly found in consumer body-care products known as the “Toxic Ten” that should be avoided (see below).

2)    Use in moderation: If you must continue to use products with these chemicals, consider using it less until you can find a safer alternative.

3)    Speak out: Contact the manufacturer to let them know you would like full disclosure of the ingredients contained within their products, including impurities and fragrance. Also, let the federal government know this issue is important to you and that tougher health-protective legislation needs to be enacted to ensure consumer products are safe.

THE “TOXIC TEN”: HARMFUL CHEMICALS THAT APPEAR ON LABELS

Parabens: estrogen-mimicking chemicals found in breast cancer tissue

Phthalates: chemicals that disrupt male hormones, affect fertility, and are also linked to testicular cancer

Triclosan: an anti-bacterial chemical that breaks down into chloroform and dioxins, which are Carcinogens

Petrolatum or Mineral Oil: often contaminated with human carcinogens polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Fragrance or Parfum: unlisted ingredients, many of which are hormone-disrupters and sensitizers. A sensitizer is a chemical that causes normal tissue to develop an allergic reaction after repeated Exposure

Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: skin irritants

Cyclomethicone, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, or Cyclohexasiloxane: hormone-disrupting chemicals present in hair products

Formaldehyde-Releasing Agents•: formaldehyde is linked to leukemia and other cancers

Coal Tar-Derived Colours: para phenylenediamine (PPD) is a sensitizer, and suspected carcinogen

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT): hormone-disrupting chemicals used as preservatives

Let’s put ‘Eco’ back into Economics

By Hind Al-Abadleh

On Wednesday October 17, 2012, environmentalist Dr. David Suzuki and economist Jeff Rubin brought their eco tour to Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo.  I had the pleasure of being among the hundreds who attended the evening, which was entitled “End of Growth: How to Achieve a Truly Sustainable Future”.  The event was hosted was CTV Provincewide’s Daiene Vernile.

Rubin is one of the first economists to accurately predict soaring oil prices back in 2000.  He started by reflecting on the histories of previous world recessions post World War II and told the audience that all laws of economics point to the fact that when oil and coal prices reach 3 digits a barrel or a tonne, we’re basically feeling the contours of the growth limits of world economies.  This translates to world economies slowing down not because the tap is closed on these natural resources, but because world economies can’t afford to continue to grow with prices in the three digits.  This is good news for the environment, he said, because when world economies slow down, they combust less, and emissions go down.  Rubin elaborates on his analysis in his latest book, The End of Growth.

Following Robin, Dr. Suzuki spoke and expressed his excitement for sharing the stage with a “real economist”.  As always in his unique and inspiring style, David reminded the audience that with the number of humans as a species, their over-consuming behavior, the nature of the global economy they invented, and the use of technology, humans on this planet have become a ‘force of nature’.  He said that our priorities are screwed: instead of working to protect the very elements that make us alive (air, water, and soil), we use them as dumpsters for the toxins generated from our efforts to grow and protect the ‘economy’.  He stressed that a paradigm shift is needed where humans recognize that they are dependent on nature and can’t afford to think of themselves as superiors any more.  He ended by saying, “Let’s put ‘Eco’ back into Economics”, and shared his observation that many young people are investing time and energy into urban farming and examining the sources of the food they eat.  In his latest book, Everything Under the Sun: Toward a Brighter Future on a Small Blue Planet, David articulates his hopes for the future and offers solutions to environmental challenges.

After addressing few questions from the attendees, Laurier’s president Max Blow reflected on what was said in the evening, and thanked the speakers for their thoughts and insights that align with Laurier’s vision to ‘inspire lives of leadership and purpose’.

At the end of the event, Daiene Vernile told the audience that both gentlemen agreed to come for an interview at Province Wide on Sunday October 21, 2012.

Dr. Hind Al-Abadleh is an associate professor of Chemistry at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, ON.  She could be reached via email: halabadleh@wlu.ca

Photo credit from The Canadian Press

Waste Reduction Week 2012

This week Canadians across the country are marking Waste Reduction Week and are challenging their schools, businesses and governments to rethink how they consume and what they discard. The goal of the campaign is to engage and empower Canadians to reduce, reuse and recycle waste and calls on consumers to adopt more environmentally conscious choices. With many landfills in this province approaching capacity, reducing or eliminating waste is one solution to many of environmental challenges such as the loss of natural resources and water pollution.

"Each Canadian throws out about 1670 lbs. or the weight of over 8 adult men every year, and communities are struggling to find ways to dispose of that waste—much more than other countries of Canada's size and wealth," says Jo-Anne St. Godard, Spokesperson for Waste Reduction Week in Canada and Executive Director, Recycling Council of Ontario. "Waste Reduction Week is a campaign that asks Canadians to rethink what we buy, examine how we live and consider what we dispose of to landfill."

Reducing waste is inherent within the Islamic tradition. There are numerous references in the Quran that warn against all types of waste from food, to money to time.

O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess. (Surat Al-'A`rāf, 7:31)

Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.( Surat Al-'Isrā', 17:27)

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) also cautioned against wasting time, something that may not be as material but important nonetheless.

“There are two blessings which many people do not make the most of and thus lose out: good health and free time.” (Bukhaari)

So what can you do to establish waste-reduction habits? The Waste Reduction Week Campaign provides resource kits for schools, businesses and governments. Some of the suggestions provided by the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council include:

• Buy only what you need. Before you buy any item, ask yourself if you really need it, or could you make do with what you already have?
• The "throw-away" convenience of some products is not worth the environmental price that is paid. Avoid paper towels, plates and cups, throw-away lighters and razors, and disposable diapers. Purchase the multi-use alternatives instead.
• Buy durable, long-lasting goods. Initially the cost may be higher, but in the long run you can save.
• Buy for the contents, not the container. Some packaging is necessary — you can't carry flour home in your hand — but these days many products have unnecessary or excessive packaging.
• Many things around the house can be saved and reused — string, plastic containers, glass containers, gift wrap, shopping bags. If there are things you can't use, consider giving them to others who can.
• Instead of throwing it out, fix it up! Repair broken toys, furniture and appliances to extend their useful life.
• Share with neighbours and friends those large expensive things that you use only once in a while, such as lawn mowers, other gardening equipment, and tools.
• 20% of the food we buy ends up in the garbage. Keep track of what you've got on hand so that you use groceries while they're still fresh.

Collectively we all have a responsibility to ensure that we minimize waste and ensure that the blessings of Allah are not taken for granted. By evaluating our purchasing and consumption habits, it becomes easy for us to identify and change our behaviour, and safeguard our resources for future generations.

Waste Reduction Week in Canada is organized by a coalition of non-governmental, non-profit groups and government organizations from each of the 13 provinces and territories across Canada.

Photo credit from AmsterSam

The Green Hajj Guide

 

Hajj is the sacred pilgrimage in Islam that is carried out at least once in the lifetime of every Muslim who is able to perform it. Millions of Muslims from across the world travel to the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia to fulfill the religious rites and requirements which is meant to align one’s physical, spiritual and moral well-being. This journey presents a great opportunity to move away from our materialistic culture and to put into practice Islamic teachings that include care for the environment and its creations.

The Green Hajj Guide was developed by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) and commissioned by EcoMuslim and Global One 2015. The initiative was part of the Muslim Seven Year Action Plan on Climate Change launched in 2009 and is a joint venture between ARC and the United Nations Development Programme. The guide was developed to provide simple instructions on how to implement a greener approach to the Hajj and enables the pilgrim to prepare and carry out a Green Hajj and Umrah by:

1)      Asking you to purchase environmentally–friendly products and services

2)      Encouraging you to reduce waste and consumption

3)      Advising you to live environmentally-friendly post-pilgrimage

The guide is divided into several sections. The first reviews values and principles of Islam as they relate to conservation of the environment. The second provides guidance on preparing for a Green Hajj and offers advice on the mental state, your purchasing and travel choices and the importance of fair trade products. The third looks at reducing your carbon footprint during Hajj, such as using alternate transit options like the new Mecca Metro; to reduce congestion and pollution. It also reminds those returning that the habits instilled when you go to Hajj should continue when you return to you daily routines, including environmental stewardship. The closing section provides recommendations for governments and institutions organizing the Hajj to make it more environmentally friendly; however, these ideas can be expanded to include our local communities.

Overall, the guide provides a quick reference for those contemplating the pilgrimage and summarizes some easy steps that pilgrims can implement during the Hajj as well as action items they can incorporate into their daily routine once they return.

Photo credit from 5ivepillars

The Story of Stuff

This month, Noor Cultural Centre will be hosting a weekly reading and discussion series based on the highly-acclaimed book "The Story of Stuff" by Annie Leonard. The book follows the release of the thought provoking movie that traces the life cycle of consumer products and examines the resulting environmental impacts from a comical perspective. Considering a study released last week found Canadians waste 40% or $27 billion worth of food annually; this discussion series is extremely relevant.

This four-part series will cover the contents of the entire book, with each session consisting of a recap, analysis and discussion of the material

Dates: Sundays October 21, 28; November 4, 11 Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Location: Upstairs Classroom, Noor Cultural Centre Admission (per session): $5/Program

Session 1: October 21 Reading: Introduction & Chapter 1 (Extraction)

Session 2: October 28 Reading: Chapter 2 (Production) & Chapter 3 (Distribution)

Session 3: November 4 Reading: Chapter 4 (Consumption) & Chapter 5 (Disposal)

Session 4: November 11 Reading: Epilogue & Appendices

This program will be facilitated by Khadijah Kanji, Program Coordinator at Noor Cultural Centre.

Toronto Mu­­­­slims join National Environmental Cleanup

 

Greater Toronto Area Muslims came out on Sunday to take part in a national environmental program, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, joining with other citizens who are seeking to reduce the harmful effects of litter on fragile aquatic ecosystems and their surrounding shoreline environments.

“Shoreline cleanups are important because they are a tangible means to mitigate pollution, reduce threats to wildlife and ecological health, and reconnect people with nature to help keep our shared waters sustainable,” said Aasiya Hussain of Ecohesian Inc. and Site Coordinator of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup at the Finch Meander site.

At the Finch Meander in Rouge Park, located in the north-east of the city, a number of Muslim groups collaborated in the environmental cleanup, including CivicMuslims, Khaleafa.com, Canadian Muslim Fellowship of Scouting, Islamic Institute of Toronto and Pickering Islamic Centre.

During the cleanup, participants removed harmful items from the shorelines of the Rouge River’s Finch Meander, near the north end of The Metro Toronto Zoo off of Old Finch Ave E, and recorded the type and amount of litter they collected on data cards.

“From our rivers, to our lakes, to our oceans – water connects us all – and as Canadians, we have a strong connection with water,” added Aasiya Hussain. “Our nation has the longest shoreline in the world, 20% of the world’s freshwater, and 7% of the world’s renewable freshwater supply – we’re also blessed with breathtakingly beautiful and essential natural capital.”

In 2002, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup emerged as a national program, providing all Canadians the opportunity to make a difference in their local communities.

Meanwhile, a group of students from the University of Toronto came out to another site at Cherry Beach to take part in the Shoreline Cleanup as part of a monthly program at the university that seeks to actualize virtues through a community service project.

“Our Shoreline Cleanup was organized by the Multi-Faith Centre and Volunteering with Virtue, with help from a number of other organizations, including Common Ground Project, Hillel, Muslim Students’ Association, and Faiths Act, UofT,” said Ishraq Alim, one of the organizers.

“Volunteering with Virtue is a once-a-month project that brings together students and youth of different faith backgrounds to discuss common virtues and to work together on a community service project,” added Alim. “This month’s theme was Environmental Preservation.”

Following the cleanup, the students reflected on the day’s project.

“We discussed what we came out of the event,” said Ishraq Alim. “Some students were quite impressed at the efforts of Toronto Parks Services at keeping the beaches clean, while others were quite surprised by the level of small and unusual items that were left on the beach, such as cigarette butts, drinking straws, personal hygiene material and a coconut.”

Shoreline Cleanups started appearing in every province and territory, and by 2011, the Shoreline Cleanup celebrated its 18th anniversary with more than 56,000 volunteers.

Over the following years, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup has continued to expand its reach and influence, aided by the support of sponsors, donors, and partners, such as WWF Canada, who became a full partner of the Shoreline Cleanup in 2010.

Today, it is recognized as one of the largest direct action conservation programs, as well as the most significant contributor to the International Coastal Cleanup in Canada.

In the west end of the Greater Toronto Area, Muslims also took part in the shoreline cleanup.

“Faith of Life Network and Sayeda Khadija Centre volunteers were at Meadowvale Conservation Park last Sunday to participate in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup,” Imam Dr. Hamid Slimi told IQRA. “More than 60 volunteers showed up and cleaned up the shoreline.”

“The efforts of today’s volunteers and supporters were inspiring, bringing together government officials, ENGOs, civil society, the corporate sector, educational institutions, and faith-based communities” said Aasiya Hussain. “Our collective efforts became a tangible means to keep our shared waters and environment sustainable, while leaving a positive national legacy for generations to come.”

Khaleafa.com nominated for Brass Crescent Award

The Brass Crescent Awards were created in 2004 with the purpose of promoting the best writing of the Muslim web and exposing them to a greater number of readers. Since then it has grown to become one of the most anticipated awards within the Muslim blogosphere and continues to encourage creative new talent within our communities. We are proud to announce that Khaleafa.com has been nominated for the Brass Crescent Award for “Best New Blog.” It is humbling to be considered alongside such great writers in this category and we ask that you take a moment to visit the sites nominated and to cast a ballot in each category. Polls close end of day Sunday, October 21, 2012! 9 pm (Mon) PST, 12 am (Tue) EST, 5 am (Tue) GMT

We look forward to your continued support over the year to come, and hope you consider voting for us as Best New Blog.

About Khaleafa.com

Khaleafa.com was created with the goal of reigniting the discourse surrounding the Islamic approach to environmentalism and to draw upon the essence of these teachings, emphasizing the movement from a North-American perspective. This past year, it has taken off as interest grows in the environmental movement, and its articles have been featured on various websites including SuhaibWebb, IslamOnline and recently Productive Muslim. There have also been contributions from academics, religious scholars and activists within the Muslim community, each adding their own unique perspective to the conversation.

This spring Khaleafa.com held its first roundtable event entitled Think Green: Creating Sustainable Communities which brought together community activists to discuss what it means to green the Muslim community, as well as how to identify and implement environmental initiatives within a diverse society. This was the first such initiative in Canada and set the foundation for future discussions on how environmentalism could play a more active role within the Muslim-Canadian context.

Khaleafa.com also ran a successful Green Khutbah Campaign to coincide with Earth Day which garnered the support of over 75 Imams/Organizations across North America, Europe and Africa. The campaign posed a challenge to Muslims to become stewards of the Earth by making changes to their daily routines and encouraged mosques, schools, universities and Islamic Institutions in North America to devote their Friday Khutbah to raise awareness on the environmental challenges facing humanity.

This fall there are plans to expand the environmental movement into mosques with the launch of the "Ban the Bottle" campaign targeting disposable water bottles in Islamic institutions.  This will include providing promotional material, resources and educational tools for organizations considering alternatives to bottled water. There will also be the launch of a new series profiling Canadian mosques and will highlight some of the creative and unique environmental projects that Muslims are already engaged in. We will also continue to partner with other environmental events within the Muslim community and foster partnerships with external organizations that have similar mandates.

If you are interested in getting involved, submitting an article or would like more information on how you can help your community, please contact us at info@khaleafa.com.com.