im muted now

A reminder that we’ll take questions after all three speakers have presented. In the meantime, please do enter any questions you’d like to ask here in the chat.

Thank you to all the speakers for sharing their research findings. I am just wondering how do Muslims find the balance between seeking to preserve the nature of the world but in a way that does not become an obsession with trying to hold on to the Dunya?

Question to Dina AbdelZaher: Assalamualaikum. Very interesting presentation. In your opinion, who are the key stakeholders who need to lead this Eco-Islam. Is it from the government/da'wah organizations/market actors (such as Islamic banking)? Thank you.

Dear presenters, many thanks for your fascinating talks. I have the following question: What is the potential of Islamic and environmental ethics and concepts – such as al-mizan (the balance), khilafah (stewardship) and others – to be integrated in what has been called the Global Islamic Economy, including the Global Halal Food and Halal Certification markets, Islamic Banking and Finance, or Muslim Friendly Tourism? Do you see a chance to “green” those globalized sectors through Islamic environmental ethics?

A thought: the word sustainable/sustainability means to maintain at a certain rate and in its current form does not challenge existing systems (economics/power/privilege).A term that could work instead is regeneration/regenerative – to improve a place or a system to make it more resilient or successful. It makes me think of actions that improve or repair conditions that are conducive to life and works in collaboration with nature rather than against it. Of course this is systems change piece. It’s about thriving, not simply sustaining.

Thank you so much. Really loved this. I’m part of Green Deen Belgium groep. Unfortunately it’s really hard to plug into mosques and male leaders to connect this core message of our Deen to climate / environmental issues. How can we better promote this? Are there tools on how to work locally?

Question to Dina. Thank you for your presentation. How can we trust that corporations will act for on climate justice, when it is they who are most responsible for the climate crisis and who continue to profit from it? As you mentioned they are still motivated by greed and I think that is what the very structures of the economic system of capitalism breeds, which is incompatible with climate justice and a sustainable future. Therefore, how can we expect corporations to act for the climate and take responsibility for the environmental abuses they have committed, when it contradicts with the structures they are part of and profit from?

Many thanks to all the speakers - fascinating.My expertise is on political behaviour and political psychology, so the first question I ask when it comes to policy innovation and change is: "ok, but what about the individuals?". We need to get them on board in order to trigger any meaningful societal and/or political change. In fact both Prof. AbdelZaher and Prof. Ozdemir touched this briefly in their talks, but, how are we going to design incentive compatible mechanisms/institutions to make the people "want to" take environmental friendly actions? Are we going to plan educational programs, for instance? Given, especially, that people living in many Islamic countries are facing economic difficulties, how will it be possible to convince the people to make sacrifices in the short run for long run gains? Relatedly how would you convince the not-so accountable responsive governments of many Islamic countries to take part in this? Isn't this a part of a much wider agenda/problem of "value awareness" for Muslims?

Thanks for the insightful lectures. We were discussing these ideas and topics 50 years ago, but we didn't manage to take the problems seriously. What is different this time? Will the world economy and society manage to respond this time?

Thank you all for putting into perspective what this beautiful religion teaches regarding our responsibility to nature. However, our current reality is, many Muslim countries not only face the consequences of climate change but are contributing significantly towards it between fossil fuel production and plastic pollution. How can we get governments to help change corporate and individual actions? Are there some countries farther along in this trajectory in any of your research?

Hi, I am Sobia Ibrahim from Pakistan. Currently, studying Masters in Islamic Studies at SOAS, University of London. I have questions from both Dr. Dina and Prof. Ibrahim. 1-Dr. Dina mentioned about greed and accountability; what do you think of Sufi framework and ascetic practices , do you think they are eco friendly in nature ? To what extent you consider the muslim women’s role is significant in combating environmental injustices and do you think the indigenous knowledge of Muslim communities could help in finding sustainable strategies and inspire people to follow green practices ? Please if you could explain if you have come across any community or example?

Prof. Ibrahim mentioned a fascinating example of Muhammad Yunis .As Muhammad Yunis empowered women in the realms of development and found sustainable solution to the issues.And what do you think how this Al-Mizan concept could address gender and environmental injustices and may be reconnect the relation of women and nature through the framework of Al-Mizan (Balance). Also, could elaborate a bit its practical implications ;how it could apply to the grassroot level issues of the community.

Thanks for that Dina, any chance you could provide examples of these strategies being effective?

Dr Najma talked about justice and how her personal journey towards conservation and environmental protection began at a time of racial feuds in South Africa. In a post-pandemic world, with poverty as rampant as it is, and economic injustice and inequality as apparent as it is, there is a common notion of guilting conservation practitioners to take the back seat - it's insinuated that immediate human crises need to be prioritized, while anything that takes long-term action like biodiversity protection or animal welfare can wait. How do we realistically tackle this? Or on an individual level, how do Muslim environmental activists frame their journey forward in a poverty-stricken world?

The UK government is also being taken to court this December

Thank you very much!!

thank you so much to all presenters

thank you that was great!

Thank you all so much, this was incredibly thought provoking and inciteful!

Thank you!

thank you everyone!

Thank you everyone, Jazak Allah Khair

Thank you!

Thank you