Muslim Council Of Elders Unveils ‘Al-Mizan: A Covenant For The Earth’ To Promote Sustainability

The Muslim Council of Elders recently played a pivotal role in the introduction of "Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth", a document deeply rooted in Islamic teachings on sustainability and care for the environment. This landmark event took place during the Sixth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) in Nairobi, Kenya, spanning from 26th February to 1st March. The assembly's focus was on fostering "Effective, inclusive, and sustainable multilateral actions" to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

"Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth" represents a unified stance of the Islamic community on environmental conservation, urging Muslims globally to embrace sustainability in their daily lives and work collectively to protect our planet. This document is significant not only for its reflection of core Islamic values regarding the environment but also for the broad agreement it has achieved among Muslims. The Muslim Council of Elders has been instrumental in reviewing and supporting this document.

Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development in the Kingdom of Morocco, highlighted the collaborative effort of over 300 institutions and individuals in bringing this pioneering document to life. She emphasized its role as a guiding framework for living in harmony with nature. Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations Environment Programme, compared "Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth" to the papal encyclical "Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home", noting its balance between faith and reason.

Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al-Hokama Center for Peace Research affiliated with the Muslim Council of Elders, outlined that "Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth" is part of a broader strategy to enhance cultural and religious contributions towards environmental protection and sustainable development. He stressed the importance of culture and religion in fostering behavioral change essential for environmental action.

The unveiling of "Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth" saw participation from numerous Islamic and international organizations, including ICESCO, UNEP's Faith for Earth Initiative, IFEES, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qur'anic Botanic Garden in Qatar, Üsküdar University in Türkiye, and Embrace the Earth organisation. This diverse participation underscores the document's wide-reaching impact and its potential to inspire sustainable practices across different cultures and religions.

The Muslim Council of Elders' involvement in this initiative reflects their commitment to addressing global issues impacting human peace across various domains. The launch of "Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth" at UNEA-6 marks a significant step forward in integrating religious values with environmental stewardship, demonstrating a holistic approach to tackling some of today's most pressing environmental challenges.

With inputs from WAM