President of Üsküdar University Environmental Ethics Forum Prof. İbrahim Özdemir published a call titled “Maintaining Balance in Antalya: A Letter to Muslim Communities on the Eve of COP31” before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), which will be held in Antalya between November 9–20, 2026.
Özdemir emphasized that the fight against the climate crisis cannot be left solely to the responsibility of states and international organizations, and invited all segments of society, from mosques to foundations, from religious scholars to political leaders, to take action.
“Antalya is one of the places where the climate crisis is already being experienced”
Prof. İbrahim Özdemir stated that holding COP31 in Antalya is symbolically important and drew attention to the fact that the Mediterranean basin is intensely feeling the effects of climate change.
Özdemir stated that Antalya will not only host international negotiations but is also a city where environmental problems can be concretely observed, and said:
“If the world continues to come to our lands to decide the future of the Earth, we can no longer act as if this conversation belongs to others. The forests of the Taurus Mountains rising above the city still bear the scars of the 2021 forest fires. The Mediterranean below is warming faster than almost any other sea on Earth. 5-star Caretta hotels have been built in the habitats of Caretta carettas. Antalya is not just the venue for the crisis we will discuss; it is one of the places where this crisis is already being experienced.”
“What will the Muslim community have to say?”
Özdemir stated that the climate crisis directly affects the lives of millions of people living in different regions of the world and said, “I am writing to you, my brothers and sisters in faith, with a simple but urgent question: What will the Muslim community have to say when the world gathers at our doorstep to discuss the future of the Earth?”
Reminding of the devastating floods in Pakistan, the extreme heat during the Hajj period, the drying up of lakes in Türkiye, and the ecological problems in the Marmara Sea, Özdemir emphasized that the environmental crisis has now become a part of daily life.
Özdemir pointed out that a significant portion of the lakes in Türkiye have dried up or shrunk severely, and pollution in rivers threatens ecosystems, also noting that drought and water scarcity are becoming increasingly severe in the vast geography extending from North Africa to the Middle East.
“Environmental problems should not be seen only as the agenda of scientists and politicians”
Özdemir stated that younger generations are increasingly concerned about climate change and environmental destruction, and criticized religious institutions for not adequately responding to these concerns.
Özdemir stated that mosques are not only places for religious worship but also important centers where social awareness can be developed, and continued:
“Then they come to the mosque on Friday. They listen to the sermon. But most of the time, they do not hear a single word in the face of all these disasters. There is no mention of climate change, environmental destruction, water crisis, or the extinction of species.”
Stating that environmental problems should not be seen only as the agenda of scientists and politicians, Özdemir said, “Because this issue is not only a matter for environmentalists, scientists, or politicians. This is a matter of life, justice, compassion, and our responsibility towards future generations. Our youth want to talk about not only the stories of the past but also their own future in mosques. They rightly ask: While the Earth is being depleted before our eyes, why is the voice of the ummah not heard?”
“Protecting the environment is not a borrowed cause, but a forgotten heritage”
Prof. İbrahim Özdemir said, “Some Muslims approach environmentalism with skepticism. They see it as a foreign, Western, secular, or political cause alien to our tradition. This is a serious misunderstanding. Protecting the Earth is not something we need to borrow from anyone. The Earth, with all its beauty and blessings, is a very valuable heritage entrusted to us by Allah. Even if we have neglected it for a while, we can reclaim it now.”
Özdemir stated that the Qur'an does not describe nature as inanimate matter waiting to be consumed, and said, “Mountains, rivers, birds lined up in rows are not voiceless resources. They are our companions in worship. According to the Qur'an, the fault is not in their silence, but in our deafness.”
“Disrupting the balance of nature is also exceeding limits”
Özdemir stated that the concept of balance in the Qur'an offers an important ethical framework for human interaction with nature, and said, “First and foremost, the Qur'an teaches us the concept of al-mizan, that is, Balance. Cheating in trade and economic life and disrupting the measure of creation and social life are one and the same transgression. The Qur'an also names this: fasad, meaning corruption and mischief.”
“Our Prophet forbade wasting water even in a flowing river”
Özdemir stated that Islamic civilization has a strong tradition of environmental protection, and said, “He forbade wasting water even when performing ablution by a flowing river. He allocated protected areas (hima) where trees could not be cut and wild animals could not be hunted. He left us with what I consider the most hopeful statement ever made about the environment: ‘If the Hour comes while one of you has a sapling in his hand, let him plant it.’”
“Humans are not the masters of the Earth, but its custodians”
Özdemir pointed out that humans are not the absolute owners of nature, and said, “Khalifa (stewardship) is not sovereignty, but custodianship and accountability. A custodian does not own what he holds; he will be held accountable for it. The Earth, which we carry as a trust, does not belong to us, or even to our generation alone. Everything belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and is the right of our grandchildren.”
“Saying 'Allah will handle it' and leaning back is not reliance on God (tawakkul), but negligence”
Prof. İbrahim Özdemir drew attention to the fact that disaster warnings about climate change can sometimes create fear and hopelessness in people, and said, “We do not act in panic, because our hope does not rely solely on human effort. Nor do we lean back saying 'Allah will handle it'; because this is not reliance on God (tawakkul), but negligence. Even if the end of the world comes, plant the tree. Act with urgency, but do not fall into despair. Work as if everything depends on you; rely on God as if everything depends on Allah.”
“Climate change is a threat to our children's bread and water”
Özdemir pointed out that approximately two billion Muslims live in different geographies of the world, stating that rising temperatures, drought, and sea-level rise pose serious risks in a wide area, and that the floods experienced in Türkiye demonstrate the importance of this issue.
Özdemir said, “After all these events, my wish is that climate change is understood not as an abstract concept for us, but as a threat to our children's bread and water.”
“Mosques and foundations can play an important role in the climate struggle”
Özdemir stated that Muslim communities have strong social institutions for combating environmental problems, and said, “In almost every town and village, there is a mosque where people gather five times a day. Every week, a sermon is delivered to a listening congregation.”
Özdemir stated that religious institutions should not only raise awareness but also develop concrete practices against climate change, and suggested water and energy saving, afforestation, and supporting communities affected by disasters.
“Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth, offers a new approach to environmental ethics”
Özdemir stated that the work “Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth,” presented to the public at the United Nations Environment Assembly held in Nairobi on February 27, 2024, is one of the important initiatives in this field, and that Üsküdar University supported the process from the beginning and shared the work with the public by publishing it.
Özdemir pointed out that communities of different religions and people with no faith can come together around common goals regarding climate change, and said that Muslim communities should also bring their environmental ethics heritage to this common struggle.
Özdemir stated that Muslim communities should also question their own consumption habits in the fight against climate change, and reminded that some Muslim-majority countries are among the world's largest oil and natural gas producers.
“Let the November 6 and 13 sermons be dedicated to the environment and our trust on Earth”
Özdemir made concrete suggestions to religious institutions and civil society organizations before COP31, asking for environmental awareness to be brought up in the Friday sermons on November 6 and 13.
Özdemir said, “I ask our imams and preachers to dedicate the Friday sermons of November 6 and 13 to Mizan and our trust on Earth. I ask our mosques to review their water and energy usage, starting with ablution, as the Prophet did.”
Özdemir stated that charities and foundations should provide more support to communities experiencing the effects of climate change, and said, “I ask our charities and foundations to direct a portion of their donations to communities already suffering from drought, floods, and heat, and to plant trees. I ask our scholars to bring the language of mizan, khilafah, and fasad into the discussions of our age.”
“May COP31 include not only governments but also a society aware of its responsibilities”
Prof. İbrahim Özdemir stated that the leaders of countries attending the climate negotiations in Antalya should adopt an approach that respects the rights of future generations, and said, “I ask the leaders of Muslim-majority countries who will gather in Antalya to negotiate not merely as owners defending their properties, but as custodians who will one day be held accountable.”
Özdemir emphasized that COP31 is an opportunity for Muslim communities to remember their historical responsibilities regarding the environment, and concluded his call with these words:
“Next week, the world will come to Antalya. May it find there not only governments and negotiators, but also a Muslim community that remembers who it is: a community of Mizan; a community entrusted with a garden that is not their own, carrying a sapling in their hands. A community full of hope despite material and spiritual pollution, economic and political crises, and wars!”
