Islam and the Environment: What’s the Connection?
Have you heard the term “Green Deen“? Unfortunately, many in our community are not familiar with this concept or its author. Let’s shed some light on both today, Insha’Allah.
“Green Deen” is the title of a book written by brother Ibrahim Abdul Mateen, an environmental and climate activist, urban strategist, and a practicing Muslim (who preferred to refer to himself as a “proud Muslim”). He passed away in 2023 at the age of 46.
Brother Mateen was a Senior Fellow with Interfaith America and New Yorkers for Clean Power. He also served on the New York State Advisory Board for the Trust for Public Land.
Perhaps the best way to describe “Green Deen” is as an Islamo-environmental treatise that reflects his profound commitment to two things he cherished most in life: his religion, Islam, and the duty his faith enjoined upon him to protect the environment, which he viewed as a gift and blessing from Allah SWT.
In “Green Deen,” Abdul-Matin explores the intriguing intersection of environmentalism and Islam, highlighting Prophet Muhammad SAW’s teachings on respecting the environment, including his declaration that “this Earth is a mosque.” By using the concept of Deen, which means “path” or “way” in Arabic, Abdul-Matin provides numerous examples of how Muslims can and are already following the Green Deen principle in four key areas: waste, energy (watts), water, and food.
Unbeknownst to Abdul-Matin, someone else was treading a similar path in our own neighborhood in the Greater Toronto Area: the Jaffari Community Center (JFC) in Thornhill.
The story goes that a group of concerned women at the JFC, troubled by the excessive waste generated each Ramadan from plastic plates, trays, and cutlery, joined forces to establish what they called the “Ladies Eco Team.” Their mission was singular: to reduce waste and promote more environmentally friendly practices at the center. Their efforts soon bore fruit. By 2019-20, the center had completely transitioned to using compostable and reusable cutlery and plates, despite the higher cost, while also recruiting volunteer dishwashers during public feasts and setting up “eco stations” at events to facilitate waste separation.
This year, the JFC, under the guidance of the Islamic Shia Itha-Asheri Islamic Jamat (ISIJ) eco-committee, is taking a significant step forward.
On September 5, in celebration of the special occasion of Eid-Milad-un-Nabi, the committee will put a new spin on its annual fun fair, titled “Be Green, It’s Deen.” This initiative aims to demonstrate to the local community that faith, fun, and sustainability can coexist harmoniously.
As part of the event, along with the usual carnival attractions like bouncy castles, face painting, and food trucks, there will also be dedicated eco-stations for composting and recycling. Participating vendors will be encouraged to avoid single-use plastics and minimize waste. An Eco Booth will showcase the mosque’s environmental initiatives and achievements while educating attendees on how to be environmentally friendly both at the mosque and at home.
The event will also feature a community recruitment booth from York Regional Police and a marketplace for children’s entrepreneurs.
Event Information:
– Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
– Time: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
– Place: 9000 Bathurst, Thornhill
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