A Birmingham charity has been admitted to the ranks of the world’s leading environmental decision-makers. Islamic Help has been granted accreditation as an observer to the Governing Body of UNEP ‒ the United Nations Environment Programme – allowing it to participate in all public meetings and sessions of UNEP and its subsidiary bodies. Accreditation is the main entry point for major groups and stakeholders that want to engage in policy dialogue at the UN and help shape the future of the world. Islamic Help is one of only four Muslim organisations in the UK to have received UNEP observer status – the others being IFEES, the Bahu Trust and Islamic Relief. Established in 1972 and with its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP’s sets the global environmental agenda. Its declared mission is to provide leadership and encourage worldwide public and private sector research and partnerships that benefit the environment for existing and future generations. The UN Environment Assembly is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment. Accreditation gives Islamic Help a seat on the Assembly as an observer and the opportunity to contribute to addressing the global challenges which the world faces from climate change. An Islamic Help official said: “UNEP accreditation is a major step forward in Islamic Help’s efforts to develop as an environmentally sustainable NGO that stands up for the rights of those unfairly impacted by the effects of climate change across the globe.
“It provides impetus to further develop our environmental projects ‒ ranging from our pioneering Children’s Eco Village in Tanzania to tree planting in Jordan and the participation of Rohingya refugee children in green projects ‒ and the incentive to educate and develop our staff, volunteers and supporters towards a common objective. The Qur’an makes it clear that, as Muslims, part of our faith is to care for our environment and our planet for the benefit of all. We have been appointed Khalifahs (guardians) of our world and given trusteeship and responsibility to respect, nurture and care for the environment. As Islamic Help enters this exciting new chapter, we look forward to the opportunity to working with UNEP and playing our part in making our world a greener, safer and cleaner legacy for all.”
