Muslim-led green project revives east London community space
The garden, planted with herbs, vegetables and pollinator-friendly flowers, was relaunched earlier this summer after a two-year break
LONDON (MNTV) – A once-neglected patch of land behind the Trinity Community Centre in Canning Town of the city of London has been transformed into a community garden by Sustainably Muslim, a grassroots group encouraging Muslim participation in environmental action.
Founded in 2020 by east Londoner Nazia Sultana, the initiative focuses on conservation projects and building green spaces in urban areas with limited access to nature. “There’s really a need for these spaces,” Sultana told UK-based magazine Hyphen.
“A lot of people want to make a positive impact on the environment and within their own communities. Sustainably Muslim is like a support network.”
The garden, planted with herbs, vegetables and pollinator-friendly flowers, was relaunched earlier this summer after a two-year break.
Volunteers now meet regularly to grow food and create a space for locals to enjoy. Sultana said the choice of crops — from tomatoes and carrots to chillies and scotch bonnets — is tailored to the area’s diverse communities.
According to Hyphen, the group also partners with conservation organisations, including the Bat Conservation Trust, and published a 2024 report showing that 93% of surveyed Muslims worry about the climate crisis but feel underrepresented in climate debates.
This project arrives amid growing recognition of community gardens’ importance—especially in urban Britain.
They help absorb carbon, cool cities and provide local produce that cuts food miles, composting supports biodiversity, and such spaces build climate resilience.
Research also shows that just 20–30 minutes of gardening several times a week can significantly reduce anxiety and depression, enhance social bonds, boost physical activity by around 42 minutes per week, and even improve diet through increased fiber intake.
Similarly, nature-based programmes like therapeutic gardening have raised happiness scores and driven down anxiety at much lower cost than traditional therapy.
For many volunteers, the project also strengthens their connection to faith. “As Muslims we should be taking care of the earth,” said session leader Mareeam Ahmed while speaking to Hyphen.
“This is an act of worship. When we plant a seed, you’re benefiting people, animals, soil, the whole ecosystem.”
Sultana hopes the project will expand nationwide. “I’d love to see it grow to Bradford, Manchester, wherever,” she told Hyphen.
“I’ve always believed that nature has a way of bringing communities together.”
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