On Sunday August 16th, MADE organised the ‘Eco Fair’ to celebrate Islam’s strong message of environmental stewardship. The day boasted an array of fun activities for the whole family themed around reducing, reusing and recycling. Over 400 people flocked in to ride a pedal-your-own-smoothie bike, learn how to make their own soaps, turning old plastic bottles and jars into fancy lamps, and buy products from ecologically inclined companies like Lush.
MADE is a campaigning organisation working to inspire and enable young Muslims to tackle social and environmental injustice. They have been leading campaigns to raise awareness of environmental issues from an Islamic perspective, and to lobby the UK government to tackle climate change. Last year, MADE launched a Green Award Scheme to award and support Islamic institutions like Mosques for their commitment to sustainable principles.
Eco Fair was joined by the likes of Imam Siraj Wahhaj (USA) and Dr. Jamal Badawi (Canada), two international scholars who have been actively preaching for over 30 years each. They spoke about the emphasis on social justice in Islam, and the environmental conservation taught through the teachings of Islamic concepts like the Haram, sanctuaries where cutting trees and hunting animals is forbidden.
“A good Muslim must be a good environmentalist. This is what Islam says,” exclaimed Dr. Jamal at the Eco Fair.
“Prophet Muhammad was the ultimate environmental pioneer,” remarked Shehroze Khan, environmental Campaigns Manager at MADE. “He told us to save water even at a riverbank, and his teachings were always those of simplicity, and condemning excessiveness. That is how we tackle climate change; by reverting to the sunnah (teachings) of our Prophet!”
Prime Minister David Cameron stated last year that climate change was one of the most serious threats facing Britain and the rest of the world. The overconsumption of resources and mistreatment of the environment has lead to injustices ranging from extreme poverty, economic inequality, wildlife extinction and increased natural disasters. MADE thus wishes to see more events like the Eco Fair coming from the Muslim community.
“We want to resurrect these teachings of sustainability and fairtrade, because it is all within our own Islamic tradition. We all inhabit this planet and must all play our part, regardless of race or religion. God doesn’t change the condition of a people until they change themselves, as it says in the Quran. It is time we start changing ourselves,” exclaims Sarah Javaid, Executive Director at MADE
