Green Muslims

Green Deen highlights the efforts of Muslims and Muslim communities in North America to improve the environment. A whole community in Washington DC is making their lives and faith greener. At the ADAMS (All Dulles Area Muslim Society) Center Mosque, Environmentally- conscience Muslims led by Sarah Jawaid, participate in citywide efforts to better their surroundings. They plant trees and clean up parks. In addition, they look for ways to influence policies to set better standards that effect the environment. The ADAMS Center Mosque pledged to reduce energy consumption last year by 10 percent, and 25 percent by year 2013.

Green Mosques

As Abdul-Matin considers Earth as a mosque, Muslim communities are finding ways to make their mosques greener to lessen its damage on Earth. Green Deen emphasizes how mosques in different climates can improve their structure to use less energy, which in-turn will save the mosque money and reduce its carbon footprint. There are over 100 mosques and Muslim prayer space in NYC alone. If they all conserve energy, it can have an impact in the city and encourage others to do the same at their homes and workplaces.

In hot and humid climates like Hawaii, Manoa Mosque is a perfect example of how a structure can save energy. Manoa Mosque is built to keep the heat out during the day, but still allow light in. At night, it allows the cool breeze in. “The combination of exposure to the outside and protection from the sun creates a cross-flow of ventilation that results in humid air outside and dry inside.”

Though Green Deen is not deep in religious thought or in environmental research, the balance between one’s faith and Earth is a fresh conversation that has been ignored. After the tragic events on September 11, 2001, the discourse surrounding Muslims and Islam in the US has been almost all negative. Now, Muslims and non-Muslims can read about the fairness of Islam towards Earth and the works of Muslims in America to improve the environment. The next time you purchase a bottle of water, consider the damages it may have to the environment, and remember that Earth is a mosque and should be respected as one.

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