“Only when we think as one humanity can we save this planet,” were the passionate words of Dr Husna Ahmad, CEO of Global One, at the Interfaith Climate Symposium. She stood at the pulpit at St John’s church, Waterloo, raising the hands of Canon Giles and Rabbi Natan high in the air to signify the importance of a shared approach in caring for the earth.
The ‘Faith for Climate’ event, the first meeting of its kind, provided a platform for various multi-faith leaders on the 21st September to collaborate, share ideas and discuss best practice to action on vital environmental challenges, such as climate change. Notable members of the event included Bishop Nicholas, Sir David King, Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Rabbi Natan Levy and George Marshall.
A religious-centred approach to tackling climate change is one that is rarely advocated yet within Islam alone, caring for the environment is embedded within Islamic teachings, making it the responsibility for the 1.6 billion Muslims across the world.
During her speech, Dr Husna exemplified how the Qu’ran places conservation responsibilities on humans, making them the caretakers, khalifas, of the earth. “I am going to place in the earth a khalifa (steward)” [Quran 2:30].
With some of the most impoverished communities around the world being the first to sustain the worst effects of climate change, this clear injustice, if left unresolved, will continue to pollute our atmosphere, damage our ecosystem and threaten the lives of billions of people across the world.
Through Islamic teachings, Muslims are told repeatedly to respect the earth and care for the environment, as part of their religious duties and obedience to the Creator. The environmentally-conscious behaviour integral to Islam, makes it imperative for Muslims to take an active role in combating climate change. This also includes collaborating with other faiths to promote interfaith dialogue and widen response efforts.
However, a united interfaith movement can only well and truly be adopted if we are willing to stand up for the religious freedoms of our brothers and sisters of other faiths. During the Interfaith Climate Symposium, Dr Husna clearly outlined it in her speech: “I need my brothers here with me – Canon Giles and Rabbi Natan. [I need them] to be my voice, to fight for my right to practice my religion, for my right to wear the hijab and to care for my sons and daughters and granddaughters – as they would care for their own”.
A collaborative approach to tackling climate change would provide a more proficient and effective response to protecting our planet. At the heart of the solution, however, lies a need to stand together as One Humanity.
How can we stand as one if we refuse to dispel religious intolerance, discrimination or prejudice against another? How can we stand as one if we refuse to promote religious freedom? How can we stand as one when we refuse to fight for the rights of our brother and sisters in practising their religion?
Only when we well and truly think as one can we hope to save this planet against any forms of environmental damage!
Read the Interfaith Climate Symposium featured in the NewStatesman here
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