Green Guide to the Hajj launched at Assisi, Italy
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Dr Husna Ahmad with The Green Guide for Hajj and Islam and Water |
The first guide to an environmentally sustainable Hajj has been launched to encourage Muslim pilgrims - now arriving in Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia for this year’s pilgrimage - to reduce their impact on the Earth.
The Green Guide for Hajj was launched by Dr Husna Ahmad of Global One 2015 and Omar Faruk of EcoMuslim at the Sacred Land Launch and Celebration of the Green Pilgrimage Network, in Assisi, Italy, organised by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), which finishes 02 Nov 2011.
As well as practical tips for pilgrims, the Guide invites Muslims to use their Hajj experience as an opportunity to reflect on their own lives and move away from material culture and the waste it leaves behind.
Also launched at Assisi is Islam and Water - The Hajjar (r.a.) Story which accompanies the Guide and is aimed at women and families. The story of Hajjar, second wife of the Prophet Ibrahim, in particular her search for water, is commemorated every year in the Hajj. Download 'Islam and Water' here.
The Hajj - one of the five pillars of Islam - is the biggest annual pilgrimage in the world. By November 1, nearly 1.8 million pilgrims had arrived for this year's Hajj, according to the Hajj authorities.
Dr Husna Ahmad said it was very important for people of faith to address the problem of environmental destruction and degradation: “In times of climate change, threats to the environment are the biggest threats to us all, and if the religions can come together, we think they can do anything.”
In 2010 some 2.5 million pilgrims attended the Hajj and for each it will have been a profoundly important individual experience.
Environmental impact
However, such massive human activity inevitably has an impact on the environment, said Dr Husna, with over 100 million plastic bottles left behind at Hajj sites after the annual pilgrimage, as well as other rubbish.
The Green Guide for Hajj offers pilgrims the chance to be mindful of the potential environmental impact of their journey and to make choices to limit any damage. This includes:
considering the carbon footprint of transport choices they make and avoiding or off-setting the impact of air travel;
choosing travel companies with environmentally conscious policies regarding travel and accommodation for pilgrims;
Avoiding the use of plastic bags and bottles, especially for traditional items such as misbahah (Dhikr beads) and sajjadah (prayer mats);
Clearing up your own and other people’s litter and rubbish.
The Guide contains relevant theology clarifying the responsibilities of all Muslims as Khalifas – vice-regents – to take care of the natural world and urges pilgrims to become advocates for green living amongst their families and communities on their return.
While individual actions and awareness are vitally important The Green Guide for Hajj recognises that governments and institutions are needed if all pilgrimages are to become green.
The book concludes with recommendations to governments of the Muslim world including preventing non-degradable rubbish, avoiding water wastage, use of sustainable energy and encouraging the use of green transport.
Other translations
The Guide is currently written in English. In future, the plan is to translate the Guide into Arabic, with support from the Imam of Ka’abah, to be available within Saudi Arabia, Dohar and other Arabic speaking countries.
A version in Hausa, aimed at Nigeria’s large Muslim population, is already underway, with suitable messages from Nigerian Muslim clergy, and will be made available to people running workshops throughout Nigeria.
Ms Ahmed said there was also interest in a Bahasa translation for some of the 220 million Indonesian Muslims, all of whom will hope to go on Hajj during their lifetime.
The Green Guide for Hajj is jointly produced by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation, Eco Muslim and Global One 2015 – three UK-based organisations committed to developing the role of religion in bringing about social change.
Modernity and Islam: Roundtable discussion with Malaysian Prime Minister
Faith Regen Foundation had the great pleasure to host a roundtable discussion on 'Modernity and Islam: The Role of British Muslims in the Global Framework' on the 15th of July 2011. We were honoured to have the Malaysian Prime Minister, the Honourable Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak join the discussion at the Dorchester along with British Muslim leaders in various sectors of British society.
The roundtable discussion was an opportunity for those in a leadership positions to air their views on the priorities for the Muslim community in the UK and ways in which global challenges can be tackled whilst promoting peace and harmony. The discussion also looked at the engagement of Muslims with the West.
Faith Regen Foundation also took this opportunity to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. We were delighted to have the Malaysian Prime Minister cut the cake to mark the celebration.
See more photos at our Media Gallery
Global One 2015: Presentation on Nigeria maternal health
Global One 2015 presents our first international project, the Nigeria maternal health programme, and the completion of first phase. The event, hosted by Stephen Timms MP, was held at the Houses of Parliament on the 20th of July 2011.
Our team who recently returned from the field visit in Nigeria presented their findings. We also had the opportunity to recognise the work of our Community Ambassadors who were recruited to raise awareness in the UK on maternal health in Nigeria.
We also had a speaker from FORWARD Nigeria, Rahmat Mohammad, who presented her expertise on maternal health in Nigeria.
See more photos at our Media Gallery
Dr Husna Ahmad, CEO of Faith Regen Foundation participated in:
The Interfaith Seminar on Environment & Sustainability at Lambeth Palace
Monday 21 March 2011
This seminar was part of the on-going process of collaboration with faith communities to support efforts to build capacity and commitment to reduce carbon emissions, raise awareness and promote sustainable practice.
It was aimed at those with responsibilities for managing faith organizations and initiatives and involved keynote speakers and workshops covering: (1) energy conservation and places of worship; (2) the theological basis of environmental stewardship; (3) using green spaces to enhance faith and community; (4) education for all ages including leaders.
This seminar was presented jointly by the London School of Jewish Studies and Shrinking the Footprint – the Church of England’s environment campaign.
Afghan Action
The ‘Building Bridges’ project:
The Department for International Development (DFID) has granted Afghan Action funding for a nationwide awareness raising programme on Afghanistan. Faith Regen Foundation is assisting them in recruiting and training advocates.
The ‘Building Bridges’ project is aimed at raising awareness and changing perceptions of poverty, insecurity and development opportunities in Afghanistan through the work of advocates who will organise events & initiatives on Afghanistan.
Workshops:
Advocates will be required to attend a 3 hour workshop. The workshop will focus on the historical development of Afghanistan as well as on campaigning strategies. All advocates who complete the training will receive a certificate from Afghan Action. The workshops will take place in two East London locations, Harrow, Wembley, Bounds Green, Birmingham and Manchester.
Specific locations and dates will be posted shortly so watch this space.
Advocates:
Once the training is complete, advocates will be campaigning, through events, stalls, talks, social events and other initiatives, to:
- Increase awareness of the situation of poverty and human rights violations faced by Afghans in order to persuade the general public to support our work
- Emphasise the positive aspects of Afghanistan and of its population in order to promote a positive perception of this country.
If you are interested in becoming an advocate, and making a difference for Afghans and Afghanistan
please contact us:info@faithregenuk.org
Ambassador for Peace Award
Dr Husna Ahmad received an Ambassador for Peace award on 15th April 2010 in UPF-UK HQ, 43 Lancaster Gate, London. Dr. Ahmad has been a dedicated member of Faith Regen Foundation’s staff since its inception in 2002 and has previously held the position of Director of Operations, overseeing the smooth running of all projects within the organisation. www.faithregenuk.org
With a strong background in research Dr. Ahmad is a Board member of SPH Housing Association and sits on the Black and Minority Ethnic Review Forum (BMERF) of the Government Office for London (GOL) and is a Trustee of the Muslim think tank, the Centre for Muslim Affairs.
With a PhD in Environmental Law from the School of Oriental and African Studies at London University, Dr. Husna Ahmad has held the role of Deputy Chief Executive of the Forum against Islamophobia and Racism and was a Principal Officer in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. She sits on the Department for Works and Pensions' Ethnic Minority Advisory Group (EMAG) and is also on the Community Development Forum of the London Health Commission. Dr. Ahmad has been appointed co-chair of the National Council of Faiths and Beliefs in Further Education, a national independent inter-faith charity working with the learning and skills sector, faith and local communities and national and local faith/belief based groups. She was also a member of a Ministerial Working Group on Child Poverty in London in 2008. She is a national and international speaker on faith and regeneration, peace building and women's issues. Most recently she has spoken at a Peace Conference in Sri Lanka, been part of a delegation invited by the Kuwaiti government and a member of an FCO delegation to Iran. She is married with 6 children.
Dr Husna on ''Spark'' news from Church Action on Poverty Summer 2010
DICID chairman congratulates Dr Husna on OBE award:
Read more on: http://dicid.org/english/news_website_details.php?id=59
Chief Executive Dr Husna Ahmad named in Birthday Honours List
She was named in the Queen's Birthday Honours list and received an OBE for her services to Disadvantaged People.
Dr. Ahmad is the CEO of the Faith Regen Foundation. With a PhD in Environmental Law from the School of Oriental and African Studies at London University, Dr. Husna Ahmad has held the role of Deputy Chief Executive of the Forum against Islamophobia and Racism and was a Principal Officer in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Dr. Ahmad sits on the Department for Works and Pensions’ Ethnic Minority Advisory Group (EMAG) and the Advisory Board to the East London Mosque. Dr. Ahmad has been appointed co-chair of Faiths and Beliefs in Further Education, a national independent inter-faith charity working with the learning and skills sector, faith and local communities and national and local faith/belief based groups.
Dr. Ahmad sits on the Department for Works and Pensions’ Ethnic Minority Advisory Group (EMAG) and the Advisory Board to the East London Mosque, a member of a Ministerial Working Group on Child Poverty in London in 2008.
On hearing of this recognition she said: “As a Muslim woman I am very honoured and humbled by this recognition of the work of Faith Regen Foundation. I believe that we all have a social responsibility to work collaboratively to promote opportunities for all and achieve social justice. This award will inspire me and my staff to continue with our daily work of breaking down the barriers and building bridges to achieving a society which embraces diversity and allows all individuals to unleash their potential.”
Dr Ahmad was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh and moved to the UK when she was four years old. She has six children aged between five and 27, she has been able to successfully balance her work and family life with the help of her husband, Saif Ahmad and parents.
She is a national and international speaker on faith and regeneration, peace building, women’s issues and climate change. She has very recently spoken at a CLG event on Faith and Social Action. She has been invited to speak at conferences in Sri Lanka and Kuwait, and travelled with a delegation of British Muslims to Iran with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. She has also received an Ambassador for Peace Award from the Universal Peace Federation. She is hosting a show called Muslim Women Today on NTV, a Bengali TV channel, which discusses different factors affecting all women - from UK politics to climate change; from education to the impact violence.
She has recently visited Malaysia and Bangladesh to plan for an upcoming international women’s conference and to setup an FRF office in Bangladesh to providing education and training to some of the communities.
Dr Ahmad added: “This recognition sends a strong message to everyone working hard to empower disadvantaged communities that their work does not go unnoticed.”
In the press statement from Faith Regen Foundation’s Executive Chair Brian McAndrew says,
“The Board and staff of the Foundation are overjoyed to note that their Chief Executive’s work has been recognised in the award of an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Husna has led our organisation with skill and energy through difficult times and was always motivated in wanting to overcome poverty and to do whatever was necessary to help people take a decent place in the world.