Within the scope of World Environment Day, celebrated annually on June 5 and aiming to raise awareness about environmental issues, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, Director of the Üsküdar University Environmental Ethics Forum, shared the latest developments regarding 'Mizan: World Environmental Covenant,' which brings an Islamic approach to environmental management and was launched in Kenya in February.
Highlighting the steps taken to integrate Mizan principles into society, Prof. Dr. Özdemir said, “Various programs and training sessions will be organized to ensure the active participation of local communities and mosques, and community leaders will be trained. Furthermore, youth play a very important role in the Mizan initiative; special programs designed to utilize their energy and innovative ideas have been created.”
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, Director of the Üsküdar University Environmental Ethics Forum, evaluated ‘Mizan: World Environmental Covenant’ within the scope of World Environment Day.
Stating that World Environment Day is a tool used by the United Nations to promote worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment, Özdemir said, “Celebrated annually on June 5 since 1974, the day has become a global public opinion platform with the participation of more than 143 countries. Its main objectives are to raise awareness about environmental issues, promote action at global, national, and local levels, disseminate sustainable practices and development, and foster partnerships for environmental protection.”
First steps taken to integrate Mizan principles into society
Özdemir stated that following the launch of El-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth, a series of strategic steps have been taken to integrate its principles into societies and institutions, listing these steps as follows:
“Steering committees have been established at both local and national levels. These committees are responsible for overseeing the implementation of Mizan’s principles. Outreach programs have been created to ensure the participation of local communities, emphasizing the importance of environmental management as a faith-based responsibility. Partnerships have been formed with leading environmental NGOs to leverage their expertise and resources. Work is ongoing to create comprehensive educational resources, including guidelines and toolkits, to support communities in adopting sustainable practices.”
“Community leaders will be trained to raise awareness in local communities”
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir stated that various programs and training sessions are being organized to ensure the active participation of local communities and mosques. He mentioned that they have implemented activities such as a green mosque certification program, workshops, seminars, eco-friendly campaigns, and train-the-trainer programs, and he described the targeted efforts with these activities as follows:
“Through these activities, mosques will be provided with the necessary tools and guidelines to reduce their environmental footprint, thereby encouraging sustainable practices within their congregations. Regular workshops and seminars will be organized to educate community leaders and members on environmental issues and sustainable living. Campaigns focused on reducing waste, conserving water, and promoting the use of renewable energy will be launched at the grassroots level. Special training will be provided to community leaders and imams to equip them with the knowledge and skills to advocate for and implement eco-friendly practices. As the Üsküdar University Environmental Ethics Forum, we submitted our project on this matter to the Ministry of National Education. Similar work is ongoing in Europe and Indonesia. In the coming period, in cooperation with the Directorate of Religious Affairs, religious leaders such as muftis, imams, and muezzins will be trained.”
“Mizan initiative includes special programs designed for youth”
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir also mentioned initiatives like Mizan's youth council and summit, stating, “In this regard, we are currently carrying out a joint project with the European Climate Foundation and Üsküdar University. We inform the public, especially young people, through social media channels. Environmental issues concern all of us. But only by cooperating can we find a solution.”
Prof. Dr. Özdemir added that youth play a very important role in the Mizan initiative, with special programs designed to utilize their energy and innovative ideas, and he explained these programs as follows:
“The Mizan Youth Council consists of young environmental activists and leaders from various communities. It provides a platform for young people to voice their concerns, offer solutions, and actively participate in environmental decision-making processes. We will hold one of the important meetings on this topic in New York in August.
The Youth Environmental Summit is an annual summit that brings together young people from across the region to discuss environmental challenges, share success stories, and develop actionable plans for their communities.
Through Youth-Led Projects, funding and support are provided for youth-led environmental projects that align with Mizan's principles, fostering creativity and hands-on participation in sustainability efforts.”
“Mizan's success will be under continuous evaluation”
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir concluded his remarks by emphasizing that Mizan’s feasibility and success will be evaluated through a comprehensive set of criteria and continuous monitoring:
“The participation, scope, and effectiveness of the community in environmental programs and initiatives will be measured. Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improvements in energy efficiency in participating communities and institutions will be monitored. The adoption of sustainable practices such as waste reduction, water conservation, and the use of renewable energy sources will be evaluated. The increase in environmental awareness and education among community members, especially youth, will be assessed. The establishment and success of partnerships with other organizations and stakeholders will be monitored.
These steps, programs, and evaluation criteria, underscore Mizan’s commitment to fostering a sustainable and environmentally conscious society based on faith-based principles.”
