United Nations Environment Programme
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Islam & Climate Responsibility
Workshop
Call for Al Mizan | Islam & Climate Responsibility
20 - 21 September 2022
Doha, Qatar
- Overview
- Day 1: Al Mizan: Islam and Climate Responsibility Training Program
- Day 2: High-Level Panels
The question of what it takes for genuine change towards environmental and cultural sustainability in a rapidly evolving, interconnected, and mercurial world is becoming more pressing than ever.
Fortunately, religious communities have much to offer towards positive climate action due to their long-standing traditions, which are based on a harmonious and holistic relationship between humans and the universe.
As such, innumerable individuals, initiatives, and organizations have developed. One such initiative, derived from the Islamic faith tradition, is entitled Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth, which seeks to bridge the divide between religiosity and sustainability, providing guidance on the ways through which Muslims can reignite environmental activism from the Islamic tradition.
This initiative “Islam and Climate Responsibility”, attempts to engage with the following questions:
- How can we balance (mizan) the relationship between humans and nature?
- How can we reduce our ecological footprint and walk “lightly” on the earth?
- How can we move from knowing and doing sustainability to becoming sustainable in our everyday lives and being?
The eloquent and impassioned covenant forms a clear framework on the ethos and ethics of the Islamic religious tradition that relates directly to environmental conservatism in relation to the individual’s obligation to enjoin good and forbid evil. This obligation of a Muslim is prevalent amidst the global environmental crisis, embodying a moral and physical commitment that lies at the heart of Islam: the role of every Muslim to defend their rights - and the rights of others - to faith, life, offspring, and property.
Interested in participating online? Please email Ms. Bayan Nizam Khaled <bakhaled@hbku.edu.qa>
Agenda
Day 1 - September 20, 2022; 13:00 – 17:00 in-person ; 14:00 - 17:00 Online
Location: Conference Room 1, Ground Floor, Minaretein Building | Join online
Al Mizan: Islam and Climate Responsibility Training Program
This training is for the public and it will be about Islam and climate responsibility, how it can be achieved. This session will start with opening remarks about the collaboration with Al Mizan by the Dean of the College of Islamic Studies as well as Dr. Evren Tok, Associate Professor and Professor Mustafa Elamin. After that the training will have three components: a presentation by the Al Mizan Team, another one by Earthna Team, a member of Qatar Foundation, and finally, Quranic Botanic Garden. The below description highlights what each team will be training about.
(14:00 - 15:00) The Al Mizan presentation will begin with an introduction of Al Mizan, including its history and mission followed by a talk about why faith based perspective is needed for climate responsibility. Finally, the Al Mizan team will discuss how Al Mizan can be used to restore the relationship between humans and nature. Dr. Ibrahim Ozdemir, Dr. Iyad Abu Moghli, and Dr. Odeh AlJayyousi will be presenting this part of the training.
(15:00 - 16:00) The Earthna presentation will start by introducing Earthna and their mission and vision, presented by Ms. Ruba Hinnawi. After that, they will discuss how Earthna’s sustainability strategy is shaped by Islamic values and then they will introduce their advocacy and policy models, which can be used by other entities.
(16:00 - 17:00) Quranic Botanic Garden will be introducing some of their educational programs, which highlight the importance of Al Mizan.
Agenda
Day 2 - September 21, 2022; 15:00 – 19:00 in-person ; 16:00 - 19:00 Online
Location: Conference Room 1, Ground Floor, Minaretein Building | Join online
High Level Panels
(16:00 - 17:30) Panel 1 – This panel will look into general climate policies and institutions.
Welcoming Remarks:
- Dr. Recep Şentürk, Dean of College of Islamic Studies
Panel:
- Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, Ecologist and Executive Director of Earthna
- Francisco Marmolejo, President of Higher Education at the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development
- Expert, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
- Expert, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
- Darwish Ahmed Al Shebani, Secretary General of Global Public Diplomacy Net
Q and A
(17.30: 19:00) Panel 2 – This panel will introduce Al Mizan and its applicability and Islamic basis.
Opening Remarks:
- Dr. Fazlun Khalid, Islamic ecotheologian Founder-Director of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Science
Panel:
- Dr. Iyad Abu Mughli, Founder and director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Faith for Earth Initiative
- Dr. Ibrahim Ozdemir, Environmentalist and professor of philosophy, ecology and religion, Ankara University, Turkey
- Dr. Odeh AlJayyousi, Expert in sustainability and innovation
- Dr. Fatima Al Khulaifi, Manager of Quranic Botanic Garden
Q and A
