Muslim view: It's our duty to care for the Earth

FARAH YAHYA

COLUMNIST

Corruption has appeared on land and sea

Because of what people’s own hands have wrought,

So that they may taste something of what they have done;

So that hopefully they will turn back.

Qur’an 30:41

These words, found in the Quran, are still relevant despite being revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) more than 1,400 years ago.

Muslims believe all the natural resources of the Earth are blessings of Allah (our creator) and that on the day of judgment we will be asked, “How did we use, protect and conserve these blessings?” You see, it is our religious duty to take good care of the Earth and its resources.

Unfortunately, we are witnessing alarming changes in our environment. This presents a clear case for people of faith to examine the underlying moral causes of this situation. It prompts faith communities to act to halt the desecration of nature, because this desecration leads to the destruction of Allah’s creation, human and otherwise.

Wicomico Interfaith Partners for Creation Stewardship is an organization sponsored by the Wicomico Environmental Trust. It has provided a place for different faith communities to come together and work hand-in-hand for the protection and improvement of our blessed environment.

This is my second year with Wicomico Interfaith Partners, and I have gained tremendous understanding and appreciation for the selfless work carried out by diverse members of this organization. From river cleanups to lobbying for environmental protection legislation, it is a positive voice for creation.

Wicomico Interfaith Partners’ annual two-day Earth Day Conference will be held Friday and Saturday, April 21-22, in Salisbury. The event will focus on one of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change.

Beyond providing information about the potential impacts of climate change on the Delmarva region, the event also seeks to offer opportunities to broaden understandings about different religions.

Leaders from numerous local faith communities will be on hand to offer perspectives from their respective traditions on the issue of climate change.

This is a great opportunity to shed our inhibitions about each other, find common ground, share ideas and acquire knowledge about climate change’s potential impacts to our region.

It will be a great weekend for our city of Salisbury and its community. I hope you will join us.

In closing, please bear in mind the words of our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “The world is sweet and verdant, and verily Allah has made you stewards in it, and He sees how you acquit yourselves.”

Farah Yahya is a member of the Delmarva Muslim Community.