Telling Stories: Eco Jihad

Issue 100 January 2013

The first Eco Jihad issue was instrumental in highlighting the values within the Islamic tradition that are so in tune with the environment. 

The first Eco Jihad issue was instrumental in highlighting the values within the Islamic tradition that are so in tune with the environment. Somewhat controversial for its title, we felt that reclaiming the vocabulary of ‘jihad’ to its real, essential meaning—that of striving in the way of God was essential. Given that issues pertaining to the environment are so critical within our modern day, Eco Jihad highlighted the Muslims who are working within the field of environmental activism, as well as the Islamic imperative that human beings are khalifas, stewards, of the earth. The second in the Eco Jihad series touched on a particularly powerful issue—that of water sustainability, and looked at the human need of access to fresh water. If the wars of the twentieth and twenty-first century have been over oil, then the wars of the late twenty-first century will almost certainly be over a resource which is in increasingly short supply—fresh water. 

The third in the Eco Jihad series was striving to maintain the balance of nature. It looked at the eco-systems that exist within the world. Everything that God has created, He has created in due balance but we as human beings, have upset that balance through our interaction with the planet/engaging with the planet in a manner which is not sustainable and taking out far more than we are putting in. 

The Eco Jihad issue had impact way beyond just the actual magazine. Prince Charles’ office at Clarence House was interested enough to invite us to discuss the topic. Prince Charles, of course, a notable environmental campaigner for many years, is interested in how Muslims can be engaged within the green movement. We hope that Muslim nations will take as much interest in the issue as His Royal Highness.