Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth, spearheaded by Üsküdar University, is being promoted worldwide under the umbrella of UNEP’s Faith for Earth Initiative. Interest in the covenant, which defines the protection of natural resources and biodiversity—the common heritage of the world—climate change, and humanity's respect for the natural balance as a sacred goal, especially among Muslim communities, is growing every day. Mizan is now in the Dutch press, penned by Ömer F. Gürlesin.
Ömer F. Gürlesin, one of the researchers for the Religion and Climate Change project in the Netherlands, penned a detailed article about Mizan.
Gürlesin emphasizes that climate change is an urgent issue affecting our world today, and understanding the cultural and religious values underlying discussions on the topic is crucial. They have approached Mizan from this perspective. The conclusion reached is significant:
“Positioned as a potential unifying force, Mizan illuminates environmental concerns from an Islamic perspective. The current state of this work, the product of diligent efforts by a distinguished group of academics, offers clues about its future importance. I harbor hope that Mizan can become a foundational work for Muslim academics and the broader community, advocating for a collective Islamic voice on environmental stewardship.”
The joint working text, Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth, carried out under the umbrella of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Faith for Earth Initiative with contributions from Muslim thought leaders worldwide, is increasing its global impact.
Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth marks a significant turning point, intertwining Islamic principles with contemporary environmentalism. This groundbreaking document reinterprets and revitalizes traditional Islamic environmental principles to meet today’s ecological demands. Drawing on the rich heritage of Islamic teachings to prompt action against current environmental crises, the document symbolizes a renewed commitment to the preservation of nature.
The covenant reminds people of their responsibilities concerning the protection of natural resources and biodiversity—the common heritage of the world—and climate change, especially among Muslim communities, while emphasizing that humanity's respect for the natural balance is a sacred goal, stemming from the foundational values of Islam.
Gürlesin emphasizes that despite all challenges, Mizan offers valuable opportunities to deepen Islam's relationship with environmental issues, making the following observation:
“Mizan holds the potential to enrich religious curricula in schools and universities by providing a framework for discussing ecological stewardship in Islamic education. Furthermore, it offers a reflection for Muslims on their connection with nature and the inherent value of the environment.”
The work, which includes Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, Director of the Environmental Ethics Forum from Üsküdar University, on the committee that prepared the covenant, is now also in the Dutch press.
The Arab press is also giving extensive coverage to Mizan's efforts.
The covenant, which is increasing its impact day by day, has been featured on the religionclimate.org website under the signature of Ömer F. Gürlesin.
For the article penned from a Sociological and Theological perspective