Üsküdar Üniversitesi Department of Philosophy Head Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir was among the Muslim Environmentalists who worked on “Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth” for two years; the covenant has now been completed. The covenant, to which Üsküdar Üniversitesi also contributed, was sent to all relevant official and civil organizations in the Muslim world via UNEP.
Disasters caused by Global Warming and Climate Change remain on the world's agenda. In recent days, unprecedented flood disasters have affected developed countries as much as underdeveloped and developing countries. Hundreds of people lost their lives in Belgium and Germany. Excessive rainfall, which also affected China, India, and Sudan, caused significant material and moral damage in Rize and Arhavi in our country. Scientists and environmentalists worldwide are working diligently to mitigate the effects of Climate Change and enlighten society on this issue.
Disasters caused by Global Warming and Climate Change remain on the world's agenda. In recent days, unprecedented flood disasters have affected developed countries as much as underdeveloped and developing countries. Hundreds of people lost their lives in Belgium and Germany. Excessive rainfall, which also affected China, India, and Sudan, caused significant material and moral damage in Rize and Arhavi in our country.
Scientists and environmentalists worldwide are working tirelessly to mitigate the effects of Climate Change and enlighten society on this issue.
In this context, a core team of Muslim environmentalists is working on the document Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth. The document will be submitted to the United Nations in the autumn. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, Head of the Philosophy Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, is part of the core team preparing the Covenant. The Covenant was sent to all relevant official and civil organizations via UNEP.
The team forming the core staff of “Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth”:
Dr. Iyad Abumoghli, Founding Head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Faith for Earth Initiative. (Kenya)
Sidi Fazlun Khalid, Founder of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences. (United Kingdom)
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, Head of the Philosophy Department, Üsküdar Üniversitesi (Turkey)
Prof. Dr. Abdülmecid Tribak, Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), (Morocco).
Aishah Ali Abdallah, wildlife expert, nature leader, and environmental educator. (Saudi Arabia).
Dr. Evren Tok, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, College of Islamic Studies. (Qatar).
Dr. Fatima Saleh Al-Khulaifi, Founding Head of the Quranic Botanic Garden (Qatar).
Kamran Shezad, Co-Director of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences. (United Kingdom).
The aim of Al-Mizan is to offer an Islamic perspective on the environment, strengthening local, regional, and international actions that combat climate change and other threats to the planet. The development and adoption of this Call will involve Islamic scholars and Muslim institutions, symbolizing a global effort.
Al-Mizan - A Covenant for the Earth consists of a re-articulation of the principles governing the conservation of nature in a manner that addresses current challenges. It emphasizes the ethical principles underlying the social order of human existence.
It explores how to work in harmony with the heartbeat of the natural world, created by Allah and entrusted to our protection, and how this can be implemented today. It calls for an understanding of sustainable development that is consistent with the fundamental principles of the Quran.
The call of Al-Mizan - A Covenant for the Earth highlights that environmentalism is deeply embedded in the veins of Islam. It emphasizes reverence, preservation, and responsibility in our personal conduct as well as in our relationships with others and all living beings.
It calls for altruism in our relationship with the natural world and other living beings; for reverence towards creation because of the Creator.
The fundamental principles emphasized by the Quran evolved from the foundations established by the Prophet Muhammad into a set of rules and institutions that truly express a holistic way of life. These core values, based on the Quran, can be divided into three categories: promoting public good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and always acting with moderation.
The fundamental principle motivating Muslim environmentalists is this verse from the Quran: “Let there be a community among you who call to the good, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong. These are the successful.” (3/104)
The Covenant takes its name from “al-mizan,” a Quranic concept
AL-MIZAN literally means “to estimate the weight of something, to measure, to weigh.”
The Quran often emphasizes how cosmological creation is brought into being with a perfect balance; and that social balance and justice should also be built upon these principles.
In Surah Ar-Rahman, the concept of al-mizan is clearly and explicitly emphasized:
Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful Allah)
He taught the Quran. He created man. He taught him clear expression.
The sun and the moon follow courses [exactly] computed. And the stars and trees prostrate.
And the heaven He raised and set the balance.
That you may not transgress [due] balance.
So establish weight with justice and do not make deficient the balance. (55:1-9).
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, a member of the core team, stated, considering the natural disasters we are experiencing, “We are concerned for the future of our world, our children, and our grandchildren. Time is running out. Environmental problems are a common issue for all of us. We Muslims will also be part of the solution.”
He commented, “Our greatest wish is that Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth, to which Üsküdar Üniversitesi is proud to contribute, helps foster environmental awareness in society.”
Web adresi: Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth: https://www.unep.org/al-mizan-covenant-earth