{"id":2565,"date":"2011-11-30T15:40:01","date_gmt":"2011-11-30T07:40:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/muzlimbuzz.sg\/?p=2565"},"modified":"2011-11-30T17:01:19","modified_gmt":"2011-11-30T09:01:19","slug":"thegreenbush-speaks-to-muzlimbuzz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyislam.sg\/muslimbuzz\/thegreenbush-speaks-to-muzlimbuzz\/","title":{"rendered":"TheGreenBush speaks to Muzlimbuzz!"},"content":{"rendered":"
A green activist with amazing bushy hair, Sofiah Jamil tells us about environmental ethics, how Muslims should be at the forefront of green initiatives and many more. Read on!<\/div>\n
[box_dark]Muzlimbuzz: First of all, can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do? [\/box_dark] <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>Sofiah Jamil: Professionally, I am an Associate Research Fellow at the\u00a0Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies<\/a> at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University. I co-lead 2 programmes in the Centre\u00a0\u00a0— Climate change and Environmental Security; and Energy Security. I also volunteer as a Board Member for the\u00a0Young Association of Muslim Professionals<\/a>. I will be pursuing a PhD next year inshaAllah at the Australian National University with the topic of muslim environmental initiatives – a case study of Indonesia. Socially, I love walking (FittFlops is the best footwear ever!), dancing, playing squash and badminton, watching rugby and arts performances\u2026 amongst other things.<\/p>\n

[box_dark]Muzlimbuzz: Have you always been a ‘green’ person? Or was there an ‘a-ha!’ moment while growing up when you thought the Earth needed a bit more attention?[\/box_dark] <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Sofiah: Experiences at various points of my life made me more aware about the environment. In secondary school, I was a girl guide so camping brought me closer to nature. I did my undergraduate studies in Australia, where the environmental movement and consciousness is so much more apparent than in Singapore (some students even walk barefoot to University in the summer!).<\/p>\n

[pullquote_left]Not only does the Earth need more attention, but it needs more attention from Muslims, because the bulk of us aren’t doing anything about it. [\/pullquote_left]<\/p>\n

In 2009, I had the opportunity to the part of the pioneer batch in the\u00a0Study of the United States Institute forthe Environment<\/a> \u2013 a 6 week programme in the US to learn about the environmental movement there. The programme was hosted by the East West Center, and we spent time in Hawaii, California and Washington D.C. While learning about the environmental movement in the US, the 20 participants (from Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji) shared their experiences and knowledge on various disciplines relating to the environment.<\/p>\n

I was particularly impressed with the Pacific Islanders, who were so rooted to their land and in tune with Mother Nature. It made me reflect about us in Singapore, where not only have we lost more than 90% of our natural habitat due to urbanisation, but we are \u00a0constantly changing the landscape, and in some instances demolishing areas of historical and cultural significance for the sake of certain marks of “economic progress”.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I guess the ‘a-ha!’ moment for me was when I put two of my research interests together – contemporary Muslim World issues and environmental issues. I felt there was gap to fill here. Not only does the Earth need more attention, but it needs more attention from Muslims, because the bulk of us aren’t doing anything about it. <\/strong>I find this so ironic given the fact that Islam has many principles related to the environment, yet most Muslims have not applied them to their own lives.There are some groups of green Muslims around the world doing their part, but we have a long way to go in gaining a critical mass.<\/p>\n

[box_dark]Muzlimbuzz: What are the issues that you’re most passionate about?[\/box_dark] <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

1) Making environmental concerns relevant to the lay-man person. i.e. ensuring sustainable development while addressing poverty\/ meeting “bread and butter” issues.<\/p>\n

2) Addressing\u00a0Careless and Excessive Consumption<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
3) Transforming inter-faith dialogue to inter-faith action via having various communities working together to save their shared environment.<\/div>\n
4)\u00a0Comparing various environmental issues\/solutions across different Muslim communities and regions, and how we learn from one another and \u00a0work better as an Ummah. <\/p>\n
\n

[box_dark]Muzlimbuzz: Being a Muslim and a green activist, how do you think your faith has actually motivated or assisted you in this field?[\/box_dark]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Sofiah: Islam provides the fundamentals of environmental ethics. This is contrary to the belief that some might have that the environmental movement is a “western” concept, and hence there\u2019s so much more that Muslims can do in addressing environmental issues. I think being environmentally friendly is not only part of an Islamic way of life, but it will also help address the gross mis-representations of Muslims in recent years.<\/strong> Rather than being insular and inward-looking, addressing environmental issues would demonstrate that Muslims are a progressive lot who are in-tuned with contemporary global concerns.<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
Source: Project ME: Muslims & The Environment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

[box_dark]Muzlimbuzz: What are some of the green initiatives that we can join or implement on our own here in Singapore?[\/box_dark]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Sofiah: There’s so much out already — from\u00a0bringing your own bag, mug or bottle,\u00a0to switching off your electrical appliances when not in use\u00a0to religiously keeping with the 3Rs principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). I don\u2019t think there is a lack of awareness on this, as its largely been in our face in the media, schools and campaigns.\u00a0Its just really whether we bother to take it on, and keep with it for the long run.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

As Muslims, we can perhaps make the following resolutions for the Hijrah new year (1433H). <\/p>\n

Hijrah New Year Resolution #1: Going green starts with me and my family<\/h2>\n

Youth would be the most exposed and wired to environmental issues and initiatives. However, translating this awareness effectively into action requires more effort, particularly at the household level<\/a>. It would come to naught for youth to come home, bursting at their seams with ideas of how to be more eco-friendly, but unable to have the active support of their family to do so. Parents can do more by increasing their own knowledge on the significance of environmental practices \u2013 both secular and Islamic perspectives \u2013 and thereby encourage their children to put their ideas into action. Many things can be done at the household level, and\u00a0\u00a0but can only be successful if everyone makes the effort and serve to constantly remind each other of how simple acts can make a difference. Here are some tips:-<\/p>\n