Ambassador of the USA to Qatar, H E Timmy T Davis (fifth left); Ambassador of Italy to Qatar H E Paolo Toschi (fourth right); Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change H E Ahmed Mohamed Al Sada (fourth left); Manager of Msheireb Museums Abdulla Al Naama (third right); Senior Consultant at IFEES/EcoIslam Mark Bryant (third left); AYCMQ’s Neeshad Shafi (first right) and Hessa Al Noaimi (first left) and other officials during the Earth Talk Series on Islam and the Environment conducted at Bin Jelmood House in Msheireb.
Doha: Experts have urged Muslims to be environmentally conscious and preserve God’s creation as instructed in the Holy Book.
During a talk titled ‘Earth Talk Series: Islam and the Environment,’ hosted by the Arab Youth Climate Movement Qatar (AYCMQ) in partnership with Msheireb Museums, participants linked the tenets of Islam, which puts the responsibility of the planet in the hands of people.
The event was attended by the US Ambassador to Qatar, H E Timmy T Davis, Ambassador of Italy to Qatar, H E Paolo Toschi, Assistant Undersecretary of Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), H E Ahmed Mohamed Al Sada, top officials and participants. The Earth Talk series was hosted by AYCMQ’s Neeshad Shafi and Hessa Al Noaimi.
As climate change and environmental degradation remain a challenge globally, many Muslim-majority countries bear the brunt, but their cultural awareness of it and climate actions are often limited. In the Middle East, statistics say the region is heating up faster than other parts of the world, with the severity of climate-related disasters rising more quickly in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Keynote speaker and Senior Consultant at IFEES/EcoIslam, Mark Bryant, stressed how Islam teaches its followers to take care of the earth as guardians or ‘Khalifah’ of the planet and that they will be held accountable by God for their actions.
Bryant discussed the concept of environmental responsibility using four principles, the Tawhid (Unity Principle); Fitra (Creation Principle); Al Mizan (Balance Principle); and Khalifah (Responsibility Principle).
“As the environmental crisis deepens, Muslims increasingly look to Islamic sources for possible answers. So, of course, for Muslims, the ultimate source of guidance on all ethical questions, including their environmental responsibilities, is the holy Quran,” Bryant said.
“Within its covers can be found the basis for an understanding of ecological issues, the role of science, the correct way to interact with the environment, and the responsible use of those resources,” he added.
Bryant also noted the increasing involvement of Muslim aid agencies such as Islamic Hope and Islamic Relief in recent years. According to him, the current climate change emergency has influenced much of the work done by aid agencies.
Also speaking at the event, US Ambassador stressed that interfaith partnership significantly promotes climate awareness and highlighted how the embassy in Qatar drives the US climate change action strategy.
On the other hand, the MoECC representative Al Sada said environmental protection is one of the primary aims for sustainable development. With its moral compass, Islam is considered one of the main drivers towards sustainability in communities.
He added that environmental sustainability is not only a physical issue but also an ethical one — visible through the Islamic teachings that encourage sustainable thinking and practice in many environmental aspects, such as bridging natural resources and highlighting the importance of moderation and consumption.
Msheireb Museums Manager Abdulla Al Naama noted the importance of highlighting the intersection of Islam and the environment. He said Msheireb Museums is committed to raising awareness of such topics and promoting sustainability.
