Green tone to mosque sermons

Imams across Qatar are using the UN Climate Change Conference to remind the community of their responsibility to care for the planet.

 

DOHA Faith leaders in Qatar are joining community efforts to become more involved in climate change action, as the COP18/CMP8 Conference, being held in Doha next month, draws near.

As part of the drive to raise awareness of environmental issues among the public, and to make the United Nations Climate Change Conference inclusive, more than 150 mosques in Qatar will be reminding the community of their responsibility to care for the planet.

The Holy Quran contains more than 1,500 verses that relate to the environment, and preachers in the country’s mosques will cite these and more in their effort to bring home the important role that everyone has in helping to save the planet.

According to Mohamad Al-Missifri, the administration affairs expert in the Minister’s Office at Qatar’s Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs, verses from the Holy Quran will be used, as well as ‘sunnah’, or the words and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), as imams urge people to abide by more environmentally friendly practices. These include urging people to use less water and not to fell trees.

On November 27, state mosques will host afternoon lectures about preserving the environment and natural resources, and limiting energy consumption. Mosques will host lectures on November 30 about climate change and preserving the environment. Advocacy groups will meet on December 4 to further convey the message.

 

The Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs will also raise awareness among its employees, working at the same time to mitigate energy and water consumption internally and in Qatar’s mosques.