"Suggestions for Legal Changes Regarding Stray Dogs within the Framework of Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth", prepared with the contributions of Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, Director of Üsküdar University Environment Platform, was sent to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey with a cover letter signed by Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
"Stray animals, especially dogs and cats, are a part of our society, and ensuring their well-being is a religious and humanitarian responsibility for us," said Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir. He added, "While the law on stray dogs is being debated in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, we invite the entire public to embrace and share the understanding presented in Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth."
"Suggestions for Legal Changes Regarding Stray Dogs within the Framework of Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth", prepared with the contributions of Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, faculty member of Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Director of the Environment Platform, was sent to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey with a cover letter signed by Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
"Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth" launched in Nairobi on February 27, 2024
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, Director of Üsküdar University Environment Platform, stated that this work is a summary of Turkey's stray dog problem within the framework of the Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth program, for which Üsküdar University is also one of the preparers under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). He explained that "Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth" is a collaborative text developed under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Faith for Earth Initiative, with contributions from Muslim thought leaders worldwide, and was launched on February 27, 2024, at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi with the theme "Effective, inclusive, and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution."
Cooperation with over 300 Islamic institutions and international partners
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir stated that Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth, for which Üsküdar University is also one of the preparers under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), sets forth Islam's teachings on environment and animal rights, based on an ethics of compassion that encompasses all creatures. He added the following:
"The preparation process of Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth began in 2019 and reached its final form in 2024 after five years of intensive work. During this process, cooperation was established with over 300 Islamic institutions and international partners from various parts of the Islamic world, including Al-Azhar University.
The work Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth, for which Üsküdar University is also one of the preparers under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), was translated and published by Üsküdar University with the support of Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan. Copies of the work were sent, as part of our social responsibility, to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, members of the TBMM Environment Commission, the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, and all relevant authorities, especially to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Mrs. Emine Erdoğan. The work contributed to the formation of public awareness on environmental consciousness in Turkey."
The Holy Quran emphasizes that all living beings are a trust from Allah
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir stated that the Islamic civilization, which forms the Islamic foundations of "Mizan," advises walking humbly on earth and approaching all living beings with compassion. He said, "This understanding, which accepts that every creature created by Allah is valuable, can guide us in the protection and welfare of animals. The Holy Quran states, 'To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth' (Al-Baqarah, 2:284), emphasizing that all living beings are a trust from Allah. In this context, compassion and mercy towards animals are not only a human responsibility but also a religious obligation."
Prophet Muhammad stated that those who harm animals would be punished
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir emphasized that Prophet Muhammad's care and love for animals serve as an example for Muslims both historically and today. He said, "Prophet Muhammad gave the good news that a person who saves a dog from thirst would enter paradise, and stated that those who harm animals would be punished. Solutions developed for stray dogs should be shaped in accordance with the principles of compassion and justice in Islam. Instead of killing animals, methods such as population control, improving living conditions, and raising public awareness about animal rights should be preferred. These approaches will enable us to do what is both humane and religiously correct."
More humane and compassionate solutions for stray animals are possible
"In this context, under the guidance of 'Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth' and inspired by the compassionate heritage of Islamic civilization, developing more humane and compassionate solutions for stray animals will be both a moral responsibility and one of the most valuable legacies we will leave for our future," said Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, adding that leaving a world where all living beings live in peace to our grandchildren is possible with the decisions made today.
Mizan proposes an ethic of compassion encompassing all creatures
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir stated that Mizan emphasizes that animals walking on earth and birds flying in the sky are communities just like humans, as stated in the Holy Quran. He elaborated:
"Islamic values promote the protection of biodiversity and emphasize the preservation of animal species. Mizan proposes an ethic of compassion that encompasses all creatures. It advises Muslims and all people to walk humbly on earth. Mizan draws attention to the importance of protecting animals' mental health and psychological well-being. Animal welfare is ensured through regulations such as prohibiting confining animals in crowded or unsuitable conditions, prohibiting the slaughter of a young animal in front of its mother, and prohibiting the organization of animal fights for entertainment purposes. While animals do not have property rights, their right to adequate care is guaranteed. Humans are obligated to meet the needs of animals and treat them well. This ensures the protection of animals' physical and emotional well-being."
Islamic law provides strong protection for environmental and animal rights
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir also explained that Mizan emphasizes that Islamic law provides strong protection for environmental and animal rights. He said, "Essential environmental elements and sources of life such as water, pastures, forests, and wildlife are the common property of all members of society, and individuals have the right to benefit from them. Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth calls for the application of Islamic principles of compassion, humility, and justice to animal rights and environmental protection. In this framework, it emphasizes that all measures for the right to life and welfare of animals should be taken in a humane and just manner. This is essential for building a world order that respects the rights of all living beings."
The Ottoman Empire is known for its mercy and compassion towards animals
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir also noted that the Ottoman Empire, one of the most brilliant periods of Islamic civilization, is known for its mercy and compassion towards animals. He said, "The importance given to animal rights in Ottoman society was materialized by the establishment of many foundations (waqfs). These foundations served not only people but also animals, displaying the most beautiful examples of social compassion and justice. These foundations demonstrated their commitment to ensuring animal welfare based on faith and moral values. This compassion-based approach of the Ottomans inspires us today to find humane and sustainable solutions to the stray animal problem."
Dogs and cats are part of our society
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir also stated that the proposals submitted aim to continue the Ottoman's compassionate legacy towards animals, protect their right to life, and spread animal rights awareness in our society. He added, "Moving from this, stray animals, especially dogs and cats, are a part of our society, and alleviating their suffering and ensuring their well-being is a religious and humanitarian responsibility for us."
Aims to improve animal welfare
"Developing humane and sustainable solutions for animals not only protects their right to life but also ensures social peace and justice by adhering to the teachings of our Prophet," said Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, stating that their proposal aims to improve animal welfare and spread animal rights awareness in our society in line with Islamic principles of mercy and compassion.
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir explained that the observations of Western travelers in the Ottoman Empire and other Muslim geographies regarding dogs and other animals also revealed the mercy and respect shown by Muslim societies towards animals. He stated that these impressions demonstrate the importance Islamic civilization attached to animal rights and its high standards in this regard.
The stray dog problem also stems from local and central administrations
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir said, "The stray dog problem and increasing population do not stem from innocent animals who cannot defend themselves, but from irresponsible dog owners and local and central administrations that have remained indifferent to this problem for decades, ignored it, and failed to take necessary measures. This problem has grown due to insensitive owners abandoning animals on the streets, as well as insufficient efforts in effective sterilization and improving shelter conditions. The solution to the problem will only be possible if all stakeholders fulfill their responsibilities and act more compassionately and consciously towards animals. Therefore, while the law on stray dogs is being debated in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, we invite the entire public to embrace and share the understanding presented in Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth. It is the duty of all of us to find science-based solutions for environmental protection and animals that are consistent with our values and historical heritage."
A religious and humanitarian responsibility
Drawing attention to the proposed law amendment to the Animal Protection Law submitted to the TBMM, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir said, "The necessity has arisen to present our suggestions within the framework of the 'Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth' program, for which Üsküdar University is also one of the preparers under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), regarding the changes to be made to Turkey's stray dog problem. This is because stray animals, especially dogs and cats, are a part of our society, and alleviating their suffering and ensuring their well-being is a religious and humanitarian responsibility for us. Developing humane and sustainable solutions for animals not only protects their right to life but also ensures social peace and justice by adhering to the teachings of our Prophet."
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir explained that the proposals within the "Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth" program include the headings: "Development of Sterilization and Release Programs", "Improvement of Shelter Conditions, Promotion of Adoption and Educational Programs", "Extension and Accessibility of Veterinary Services", "Community-Based Animal Welfare Programs", "Legal Guarantee of Animal Rights and Enforcement Supervision", and "Protection and Development of Natural Habitats."
"Sterilizing stray animals is not religiously objectionable"
Referring to the statement from the High Council of Religious Affairs of the Presidency of Religious Affairs, which says, "Animals, like humans, have reproductive rights, and it is not appropriate to hinder these rights. Unless there is a necessary and legitimate reason, sterilizing animals is not permissible. However, for the benefit of society, it is not religiously objectionable to sterilize stray animals, provided it prevents pregnancy in domestic animals and does not disrupt the ecological balance," Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir said, "Sterilization ensures a sustainable reduction in population and renders the killing of stray animals unnecessary. Sterilized animals should be released back into their natural habitats after being kept under care for a certain period. Shelters must be made safe, healthy, and suitable for animals to live in. This protects the physical and psychological well-being of animals. Confining animals in cramped or unsuitable environments should be prohibited, and every animal should be ensured adequate space and care facilities. Improved shelter conditions will make animals healthier and happier, speeding up rehabilitation processes and increasing adoption rates."
Natural habitats must be protected
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir also emphasized the need to encourage the adoption of stray animals and increase awareness of animal ownership, listing the following suggestions:
"Educational programs and campaigns should be provided to raise public awareness on animal rights and welfare. Regular veterinary services should be provided to stray animals, and vaccination programs should be implemented to prevent diseases. Local governments and non-governmental organizations should cooperate to improve public attitudes and behaviors towards stray animals. Neighborhood-based animal feeding and care groups should be established, and the feeding and care of stray animals should become a societal responsibility. Natural habitats for animals should be protected, and new habitats should be created. This ensures animals live in their natural environments and helps maintain ecosystem balance. Furthermore, protecting natural habitats keeps animals away from the dangers of urban life."