Ibrahim's Legacy: March to End Fossil Fuels 9.17.2023
By Nana Firman
Nana Firman is a beloved friend and mentor to Ibrahim and Fatima. Her guest post today is to urge everyone, especially the Muslim community, to join the MARCH TO END FOSSIL FUELS on September 17th in NYC. DETAILS HERE.
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Muslims share a fundamental belief that all living beings are sacred. Our duty as human inhabitants of the Earth is to be khalīfah (stewards). We must cultivate good for all people and for all of Allah’s creations.
When I contemplate the current conditions of our world, as a Muslim, my heart is burdened with concern and grief. The rising global temperatures are disrupting normal weather patterns and leading to extreme events like the devastating floods in Libya.
Libya, situated in the arid and semi-arid region of North Africa, is prone to rapid runoff during heavy rainfall. Last week's ferocious Mediterranean storm, Daniel, resulted in flash flooding with catastrophic impacts including over 11,000 deaths, over 10,000 people missing, and at least 30,000 people displaced (as of 9/15/2023).
Those who suffer the most from climate-induced extreme events are the least empowered and the least responsible for climate disruption and global warming - the global south; the poor; elders; young children; and women. Here in the U.S., it is well-documented that racial and ethnic minorities and marginalized communities suffer disproportionately from heat waves and severe storms. Internationally, many of the predominantly Muslim countries are among the most impacted parts of the world, again, despite having done very little to contribute to the climate crisis - just like Libya.
Therefore, to live into our role as khalifah, to cultivate good for all of creation, we must address the root causes of climate change through global efforts to end reliance on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, are the primary drivers of global climate change, responsible for more than 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and approximately 90 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. The accumulation of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere creates a barrier that traps the heat from the sun. This leads to global warming, then climate disruption, then the extreme events like the floods discussed above. We know all of this. We've known the severity of the climate crisis for decades. Therefore, this gap between what’s needed and what’s happening is morally reprehensible.
In Islam, there is a clear imperative to protect the environment and to work against climate change. In fact, there is no culture or religious teaching that permits the destruction of nature. The Holy Qur’an calls on us to recognize that Allah established the natural world in a life-sustaining balance that we must respect and protect. The Qur’an also recognizes that humans can negatively impact the land, the seas, and the air. To integrate these values into our own personal lives, more Muslims are changing their personal consumption habits to walk more lightly on the Earth and to live more simply.
Personal behavior change is vital, but it is not enough to turn the tide. The majority of fossil fuel consumption comes from capitalist enterprise, militaries, and imperialist wars. The immense influence that financial institutions, multinational corporations, and governments hold over the environment is a matter of great concern. It is crucial for these entities to recognize their responsibility and even more crucial for us to hold them accountable. Demanding an end to unfettered consumption and wars is what's needed to stop smoke from choking the air that we breathe; to slow the hurricanes and floods that are destroying our homes; and to save the lives that we are losing to extreme heat, drought, and famine.
I am calling on all Muslims and all people of faith to join the global, multi-faith movement for Climate Justice by coming to the MARCH TO END FOSSIL FUELS on Sunday, September 17, 2023 in NYC. I call on you with special tenacity to join in the name of our late, beloved brother, friend, mentor, and comrade, Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, author of "Green Deen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet."
The picture in the flyer above is from the first People's Climate March on September 21, 2014 in NYC. Ibrahim and Fatima came with Ismael and Yousuf (then 3 and 1 years old respectively). Ibrahim's lifelong advocacy for all of us to live a #GreenDeen included calling for an end to fossil fuels and unapologetically calling out the imperialist governments of the world.
I guarantee if Ibrahim was still with us today, he would join the March to End Fossil Fuels on September 17, in NYC. He would be the loudest among us, demanding universal access to clean and affordable energy; green jobs and job training; living wages and healthcare for workers affected by the transition to clean energy; reparations for the victims of climate disruption; and justice for climate refugees and migrants. These commitments are emblematic of Islamic teachings and values. These commitments epitomize adl (justice) and rahma (compassion).
Ibrahim was driven by Islam to be a lifelong warrior for Climate Justice. His faith motivated him to organize Muslims and to reach out to people from all walks of life. Sunday's march is part of a powerful faith-driven movement for change. As Muslims, let's come en masse to send a resounding message to world leaders - enough is enough. The era of fossil fuels is over.
May Allah bless Ibrahim's efforts and may this march, our participation, and its positive impacts be Sadqah Jariyah for him. Ameen.