How Global Warming Is Changing The Muslim World

Climate change is the “large scale, long-term shift in the planet’s weather patterns and average temperatures.” There is a general consensus amongst the scientific community that climate change is one of the greatest issues humanity faces. Climate change links moral, social and environmental issues and is a global issue that is symptomatic of unsustainable consumption and lack of moderation, which Islam firmly teaches against.

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Allah has given us stewardship of the earth; “And it is He who made you successors on the earth” (Q 6:165) and we are to live sustainably and in a manner that isn’t harmful to it; “The servants of the Lord of Mercy are those who walk gently upon the earth” (Quran 25:63). We are warned of the consequence of upsetting the balance (Mizan); “He has set the balance so that you may not exceed in the balance” (Q 55:7-8) and the havoc caused were it to be upset.

“Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of humans have wrought, that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return [to guidance]” (Q 30:41)

Although climate change is felt globally, richer countries have the resources to mitigate its effects. The Muslim world comprises a wide range of countries with different climates; many of which are more susceptible to the devastating effects of climate change. This is due to the fact that climate change exacerbates other issues that are already affecting the countries such as war, lack of resources and financial instability.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.” [Bukhari & Muslim]. This shows that if while developing Muslim countries bear the brunt of climate change, we should be aware of this, understand our role and as an Ummah try to alleviate their suffering.

To highlight just how far reaching the effects of climate change, I’ve profiled three predominantly Muslim countries from different parts of the world that are bearing the brunt of global warming. These countries face a range of issues such as drought, flooding and rising sea levels that will either compound or trigger social justice issues such as wars over resources, migration crises, loss of their homes and death.

Image by Chowdhury Mohammad Masum Refat

Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a country in South East Asia with a 90% Muslim population. It is a flat country that is characterised by an expansive delta plain and the Chittagong Hills, which are the only extensively hilly area in Bangladesh. Around 80% of Bangladesh’s landmass comprises fertile alluvial lowland called the Bangladesh Plain.

There are around 700 rivers that run through the country and are divided into five major networks. Due to most of the country being less than 12 metres above sea level and the many rivers, which flow through it, it is naturally predisposed to flooding. It also has a tropical climate with winter lasting from November to February, a short, hot spring between March and May and an extended rainy season from June to October.

Bangladesh’s natural geography and climate already make it susceptible to the physical effects of climate change such as flooding, cyclones, erosion and salinization of cropland. According to the WEF Global Risk of 2019, even a 0.5-metre rise in sea level would result in a loss of about 11% of the country’s land, displacing approximately 15 million people. People are already being displaced due to climate change, with 90% migrating to Dhaka at an estimated 1000-2000 arrivals each day. They find themselves in overcrowded slums with little to no sanitation and legal rights.

The sea-level rise pushes saltwater into the country’s coastal agricultural areas, leading to increased salinization of soil and of water sources for irrigation, this not only affects freshwater sources, but it will affect cropland and the World Bank estimates it could cause a 15.6% decline in rice yield. As well as spoiling crops, salinization of drinking water also causes health problems pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, acute respiratory infections and skin diseases.

Photo by Faruk Kaymak on Unsplash

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country in South-East Europe with a continental climate (hot summers and cold winters) in inland Bosnia and a Mediterranean climate in southern Herzegovina.  Bosnia and Herzegovina has the largest Muslim population in Europe, standing at 51%.

From 1990-2018, the average annual temperature had increased by 1°C yearly, rising from 12.6°C to 13.6°C. The average precipitation is 899mm but this has been increasing over the years, affecting the regularity in which floods occur. One of the most recent events was the 2014 flood, in which the average precipitation was 1028mm for the whole year. These were the heaviest rainfalls recorded in 120 years, with three months of rainfall falling in three days.

The potential costs are detrimental, with experts warning of the possibility of floodwaters having disturbed landmines left over from the Bosnian war. The floods also caused damage to the country’s transport infrastructure, particularly the railway (of which the country only has two) and roads. 90% of the country’s passenger journeys and 70% of its cargo transport takes place on roads. The country needs to have an efficient network that minimises journey times in order for it to maintain its economic stability, competitive position in the region and the ability to continue to attract investment.

It is important that Bosnia and Herzegovina adapt to Climate change. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have used two climate models to make projections for the country, predicting a rise in temperatures and increased frequency of heatwaves and droughts. It also shows that whilst annual precipitation rates are likely to decline, the probability of extreme rainfall events like the one in 2014 is also likely to increase.

Photo by Yasin Osman

Somalia

Somalia is a country located in the Horn of Africa with a 99.8% Muslim population. It has a semi-arid climate with mountains in the North, flat semi-desert plains in the middle and a subtropical region in the south. The average temperature is 29°C and the average annual rainfall is 265mm, with less than 2% of the land being arable.

One of the main climate issues facing Somalia is desertification. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) defines it as “land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors including climatic variations and human activities.” The climatic causes of desertification are droughts, which can be brought on by consistently failed rains. Human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing and mismanagement of land exacerbate the effects of desertification just as much as drought does. The effects of desertification and drought can lead to some catastrophic consequences for humans as drought oftentimes leads to famine and increases competition for resources such as water, which can cause local tensions and trigger inter-communal conflicts.

As two-thirds of the country’s population live in rural areas and are completely dependent on rains for their crops and livestock, failed rainy seasons lead to crop failure and a decline in livestock, triggering widespread food insecurity and pushing people to migrate to cities like Mogadishu. These refugees usually find themselves in undesirable informal settlements at the edge of the city, which are prone to demolition by the authorities without notice and can be a hotbed for extremism.

The problem is set to increase in the future, with the World Bank predicting that mean annual temperatures are to increase by around 3°C throughout Somalia by the end of the century with the probability of drought increasing by 2100.

With the negative effects of climate change predicted to only get worse if global warming continues at the rate it is currently, and the geography of Muslim majority countries meaning they’ll bear the brunt of it.  It is important now, more than ever that we as an Ummah need to stand together in tacking this issue.

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Author: Muinat Adeyemo

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Eco-Hijab: Ethical Fashion Tips For Every Muslimah

Breaking The Stereotype: Islamic Roles In Popular Media That You May Not Have Heard About

These days, Muslims don't have to look so far to find references to them in the media. From American Gods to Prison Break, there are hidden allusions in all types of shows; the problem is, they're not always so positive. In light of all the negativity, we thought we'd send some positivity your way and give you list of 5 positive Islamic references from the entertainment world. Keep a look out for the bonus at the end...

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1. Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan)

What can one say about Kamala Khan? When she was announced in 2013, Muslim fans of the Marvel comic series, 'Ms Marvel' were ecstatic about the new hero. Born in New Jersey to parents of Pakistani origin, Kamala was born with the 'Inhuman gene' which gives her the ability to polymorph. Apart from the standard superhero storyline, her tale engages with the everyday challenges of a teenage Muslim girl, and how her faith is an important part of her identity as a superhero. Kamala Khan is an important attempt to normalise the American/Muslim experience and give an idea of what goes on in their everyday life. 

2. Rurouni Kenshin

Anyone who's a fan of Anime must have seen or at least heard about the classic Rurouni Kenshin manga/anime series. Set in the Meiji period of Japanese history, the series explores the new life that Kenshin, a wandering samurai, engages on. What you may not know is that in one episode, the life of the prince of Jagarta (Jakarta) is at stake, Kenshin being Kenshin, takes it upon himself to protect him. Engaging with the boy's strange customs opens the protagonist and his friends to a whole new perspective. During this time period, Jakarta was ruled by a Muslim sultanate from Java. Java has a 90% Muslim population, after gaining precedence during the 17th century. The prince's strange customs, which are alluded to in the series, may be an iteration of the traditional Muslim greeting, the Salaam. A very quiet reference to Islam, but nontheless an interesting glimpse of how the Japanese saw Muslims through history. 

3. Dust (Sooraya Qadir)

Another comic book superhero from the Marvel franchise, Dust is a part of the X-Men and regularly accompanies them on their missions. Her powers include the ability to turn to sand in an instant. Oh, she also wears the Niqab. Dust made her first appearance after being saved from a kidnapping by Wolverine. Originally from Afghanistan, Dust uses her powers to do good, often appearing and reappearing by speaking the word 'Turab' (which means earth, or soil, but used in place of dust). What makes her stand out as a member of the X-men is her commitment to her Niqab. Often questioned regarding it, her responses are a refreshing clarification of why the Niqab is her choice. 

4. Cowboy Bebop

This short series explores a future where space travel and commercialisation are the norm, and bounty hunting is the business to be in. This anime only produced 26 episodes, however it's the movie that brings the small Muslim/Arab neighbourhood of Moroccan street into the spotlight. Without revealing the details of the plot too much, 'Rashid' who plays a vital part in essentially saving the city, helps the main protagonist find the cure to a virus that is spreading. Rashid is a major part of his community, engaging with the elders and the children as he and Spike (the main protagonist) stroll through the neighbourhood. The interesting thing about the scenes depicting the Moroccan street, is the (mostly) correct usage of the Arabic language, and Arabic signage. Granted some of the lettering is just random symbols (cant have it all eh?), however most of the signage is accurate hand written arabic, which is a nice touch to a movie that seeks to bring about certain level of realism to this future-world. 

5. Star Wars

Well, you can't talk about Muslims in the media without talking about Star Wars, so I may have substituted our fifth spot for the epic space opera. References to Muslims are all over this famous franchise that spans the big screen, small screen, and print media. Probably the most epic thing about Star Wars is that the Jedi are actually based on Muslims! While doing research for what he wanted the Jedi to be, George Lucas encountered the Muslims of Tunisia. Their spiritual vigour mixed with their unwavering principles convinced Lucas, and the Jedi were born. Their mannerisms and dress are reminiscent of the 'Alawi Sufi order, with phrases such as 'May the force be with you' being influenced by, 'May Allah be with you'. Keep an eye out and you may even spot a 'Hijabi' or two within the series. 

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Those were just 5 examples that I thought were neat highlights, there are plenty more out there. It's important in this day and age to have accurate representation in media that doesn't fall into the typecast stereotype of the extremist or the 'pseudo-muslim'. If you have any other examples that come to mind, let us know via our Twitter or Facebook to add to the list.

As a bonus, I'll leave you with this Ibn Rushd quote that is interestingly similar to a quote from Master Yoda...

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Author: Eissa Dar

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The Challenges Of Being An Ethical Muslim In A Globalised World

Nafisah Kara shares her thoughts on the challenges facing Muslim consumers in an increasingly globalised world and the steps we can take to address them..

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The world is now referred to as a Global Village. 

Consumerism, materialism and mass consumption are the norms. In the short period from our parents’ youth to ours, consumerism has entered every aspect of lives.  It has its benefits - it comes with great convenience, helping us to cope with the pressures of working life - saving us precious time to work longer hours to pay for things we probably don’t need.  It’s also extremely satisfying, gratifying even, to ‘click to order’ whatever we desire, having it arrive moments later.

Convenience is a great way of life although it poses problems when we can no longer differentiate between what we ‘need’ and what we ‘want’. We are now completely disconnected from our belongings, our food, and our ‘things’. With every item we purchase, order and acquire, we fail to consider that a long line of production went into its creation. How our ‘things’ are made is out of sight and out of mind.

As Muslims, it is our religious duty to assess if our ‘things’ are created in an ethical manner and judge the best way to use our money. Unfortunately, this sentiment has completely left us as believers. Muslims all around the world have embraced consumerism – and often are making the worst choices - preferring cheap discounted prices over ethical products and quality standards.

It is testing and difficult to hold oneself to account in a society which prides itself upon material gain and displaying our affluence as we snap our every possession for an instantaneous buzz of self-gratification. But with the light of Islam as our moral compass, I believe Muslims can find a healthy balance in today’s world.

Allah say’s to us:

"And it is He (God) who has made you successors (khala'ifa) upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful."

(Qur'an 6:165).

Allah has placed human beings as khala'ifa upon the Earth – a word of which carries multiple meanings. The definition of khala'ifa means deputy, guardian, a 'friend of Earth' – a steward. With such a title comes great social, environmental and economic responsibility. We will be questioned on our reasoning and decision making in all these areas.

Mindfulness in our consumption

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) advised us to consume only what is necessary, considering natural environments and avoiding waste, even if resources are plentiful. He was a man who would repair his own shoes and sew his clothes – sometimes not due to poverty but to minimise wastage. When the Prophet received a new piece of clothing he would give thanks to Allah, acknowledging the value and blessing of each and every possession in his hand.  

In Islamic tradition, quality is preferred over quantity. There is no problem purchasing but buying only that which is of good quality and produced in a just and fair manner will bring blessing into your life. It is better that you provided someone with a dignified livelihood rather than contributed to a situation of injustice in the lifespan of your belongings.

Animal Welfare

“Eat and drink from the provision of Allah, and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption"

(Qur’an 2:60)

This ayah is chilling when we consider the condition of the halal meat industry today. Animal welfare groups call for the banning of halal [and kosher] methods due to the poor conditions of slaughterhouses and the abuse of livestock. Many controversial news segments have exposed such brutalities within the halal meat industry, calling into question whether our chicken meets the true requirements of halal.  Battery farmed chickens are fed growth hormones and kept alive through antibiotics due to unsanitary conditions, they often stand and eat their own faeces. They never see daylight and are raised isolated indoors. In the worst cases, they are mutilated, their beaks are cut off to avoid them pecking at each other due to distress. How can a battery farmed chicken be classed as halal simply through the recital of Allah’s name? Did Allah not tell us to eat from that which is halal and tayyib (good)?

These abuses are not necessary because of the halal method but rather they are used to enable farms to meet our demand to eat chicken and meat. The guidelines of halal are intended to allow the animal to live a pleasant life and to be slaughtered in the most merciful way, teaching us humility in turn.

But is there any humility in consuming meat every single day - twice a day?

In the time of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) when the Muslim lands were expanding and wealth was entering the community, he banned consuming meat every day, calling it addictive [1]. The Prophet (ﷺ) never ate beef and the prophetic diet discourages eating meat more than once a week to reduce health risks such as gout.

While it may seem like the situation is out of our control, there is a lot that our community can do to combat the un-Islamic practices of the meat industry. For a start we need to stop accepting low quality for low prices and tame our greed for meat and chicken, reducing how much we eat. We can no longer turn our cheek in blissful ignorance when every so often new scandals are uncovered by the media on how halal meat has been served that wasn’t actually halal.

As consumers, our choices are keeping this industry alive – literally. If we demand better standards of meat and are prepared to pay fairer and higher prices, our butchers would be pressured to supply free range and organic options. Recently in my local area, our butcher has sourced free-range chickens raised on non-GMO feed due to growing demand and persistence from the community. Do not underestimate the power of organising.

Support Fairtrade produce and local businesses

‘Give full measure and full weight in justice, and wrong not people in respect of their goods.’

(Qur’an 11:85)

Islam is not just a religion of peace, but a religion of justice. The Prophet (ﷺ) was a tradesman himself and was given the title ‘the Trustworthy’. 1400 years ago Islam supported the ideals of what we now call Fairtrade: sustainability, fairness, and workers’ rights. In today’s capitalist world, most of the produce from supermarkets and big brand names are a product of exploitation from developing countries. To deliver competitive low pricing to us in the West, big brand names are undercutting workers abroad by providing low pay, poor working conditions and no workers’ rights.

The exploitation of workers abroad is something we cannot ignore.

The Quran say’s,

‘God loves those who are fair and just.’ (Qur’an 49:9)

These characteristics also extend to how and where we choose to spend the wealth that Allah has blessed us with. One way in, which we can adhere to this is to support local businesses to circulate wealth in the local community and provide sustenance for our neighbours. Communities all over the country are organising to make this as easier with locally run awareness campaigns to clearly outline where to buy local groceries from.

Local businesses sustain the local economy by providing local jobs and are often far more ethical in the running of their businesses compared to faceless supermarkets. Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) was ferociously against monopolising markets – today our high streets have been taken over by supermarket chains and local shops have been forced to shut down as they cannot profitably compete with low pricing. This has led to local industry dying out all over the country and pushing traditional families into poverty.

Islam is a holistic religion that encompasses every aspect of our lives. The beauty of our faith is that it guides us to back to the seeratul mustakeem rerouting us in times of confusion. Through our history, Muslims have succeeded when they were able to renew their Islamic ethos and extend it to all their dealings.

Our consumer choices have a great impact locally and globally. It’s time we show appreciation for the prosperity Allah has blessed us with and make well-informed decisions on where we spend our wealth. By following the guidance of the Quran and the prophetic example, Muslims can make a positive impact on global markets demanding fairer business and justice (for workers and animals).

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[1] Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik Ibn Anas; 49.11 

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Author: Nafisah Kara 

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Islamify Your iPhone: 5 Islamic Apps You Need Right Now

Technology, it is safe to say it's all around us. From Android to Apple, Samsung's to LG's you would be hard-pressed to find anybody who hasn't jumped on the smartphone bandwagon.

In fact, the Muslim community has not so surprisingly picked up on this multi-billion dollar industry, you can now hear Adhan apps go off in prayer rooms all across the country or perhaps you just might spot an uncle playing candy crush after Dhuhr Salah. 

With Muslims becoming an ever growing part of this global society, Islamic apps are in demand. And this demand is being filled by inventive entrepreneurs across the Muslim world. We have scoured through app stores, separating the good from the not so good and narrowed it down to our five favourite Islamically inspired apps..

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Fajr Up

Struggling to get up for Fajr? Trying to find an alternative to your overzealous spouse pouring water on you at 4am? Need not worry the Fajr Up is a clever way of doing just that. 

Fajr Up is a community of users who through the app wake each other up for Fajr. Simply enter your location, select your gender, and you'll receive a phone call from a random person from around the world. The app might not be suitable for everybody but it has its perks.

'Imagine setting your FajrUp for 04.30am and then imagine getting a call at that time from another FajrUp user somewhere in the world....simple isn’t it.....the calls last no more than 15 seconds after which they will automatically disconnect. No long conversations, just enough time to wake up someone for their prayers, or be woken up, quick, casual, and not awkward at all'

Price: FREE

OS: Android 

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SIRA APP

The Sira App by Alpha Apps and Awakening Worldwide is an interactive animated mobile application based on the the Sira of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The app offers a great way for kids to understand the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in an engaging and technological way

'Teach your children the story of the Prophet of Islam in an interactive and engaging way. Your kid will learn positive values like trustworthiness, honesty, and many other such values. It is a perfect app to encourage a discussion between parents and kids about Prophet Muhammad (s)'

The Sira is broken down into eleven episodes, with the first one available free of charge. However, the remaining have to be purchased within the App. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ , his wives, and the ten companions promised Paradise including Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman, Ali (RA) have not been illustrated.  

If you are looking for an alternative way to engage your kids with the Sira, we would recommend trying this app out.

Price: FREE (Requires In App Purchases)

OS: Apple/Android

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IQRA

Have you ever had that one Ayah stuck in your head and wondered what Surah it was from? The Iqra app works in a similar way to 'Shazaam' in that it detects by recitation an individual ayah and shows you exactly where it is in the Quran. 

Simply open the App and start reciting and 'Iqra' will do its best to detect what Surah you have recited. The app is also super useful if you had an ayah in mind but weren't sure if you were saying it correctly. It will pick out some of the words you've mentioned and try to find the closest match. 

The technology is very accurate as long as your recitation is clear and precise. The app also gives you the English translation of any Ayah and the option to share it.  

A super useful tool and one that actually works! 

Price: FREE

OS: Android

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Ramadan Legacy

The fourth app on this list might be slightly out of season, but it's so useful we have to include it anyway. Ramadan Legacy is a clever application created for the purpose of 'enhancing your Ramadan'. The app works in a similar way to a diary or journal in that it allows you to keep note of how many acts of worship you are completing, as well as allowing you to keep note of your progress. 

Ramadan Legacy is the World’s First Fully Featured App for Ramadan that launched in June 2015. We directly supported over 150,000 Muslims in Ramadan 2015 to help fulfil their worshipping duties, learn about Islam and connect with other Muslims around the world.

We provided an inspirational yet practical tool for Muslims to fulfil their Ramadan and make key spiritual changes to their life. Through the app millions of acts of worship were recorded such as days fasted, daily prayers and taraweeh, reading Qur’an and memorising ayats, du’as and hadith in the app.

The app also doubles up as an Islamic resource and social network with thousands of people already using the app. It's a beneficial resource and a unique take on developing your spirituality. 

Price: FREE

OS: Apple/Android

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Halal Gems

Avid Instagram users would probably have heard of the Halal Gems Instagram account. They curate wonderful images and places to eat throughout the UK.

Now, you can use their app to easily access their digital magazine packed full with interviews, foodie tips, and reviews. The app's interface works in a similar way to the 'discover' feature on Snapchat, it can take a while to download each issue but once you have it downloaded it's easy and efficient to navigate. A beautiful and elegant design compliments the well researched and detailed articles. Great work!

Price: FREE

OS: Android/Apple 

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Thanks for checking out this post. Let us know your thoughts on the apps listed by tweeting @bahathmag

Author: Muhammad Yousuf Shuwekh

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Got Halal? Zabiha in the Big Apple

Honesty, it's the best policy, and that is what Honest Chops lives by. Based in New York, the company comes as one of the only butchers in the business that produces free range, organic meat that is completely Zabiha.

The idea for Honest Chops came when three friends - Russell, Bassam and Khalid, saw the lack of options for the Muslim New Yorker when it came to getting reliable and organically sourced meat. Taking the job upon themselves, the trio opened up Honest Chops..

The shop, which is located in the East Village of New York City, is supplied by verified, ethically sourced farms. They base their business on 6 key principles: ethical and organic sourcing, hand slaughtering, fair wages, transparency, and consistency.

Honest Chops pride themselves on being the country's first Halal whole animal butchery. That means you're getting ALL the good stuff from your animal - helping to create a sustainable system. They serve all the usuals but with less waste, with the added benefit being animals are grass-fed or reared in a free range environment. Not only that but they offer a delivery service throughout New York including Manhattan and Queens. Rump Steaks straight to your door! 

Honest Chops stays true to its name, helping not only the local community with the groceries, but local communities as a whole too. A portion of its income goes towards helping social services within New York and funding local institutions. They also provide meat to soup kitchens, pantries and generally anyone that is in need, all on a regular basis. With the shop’s core values being its transparency and community service, it’s no wonder that they’ve received praise from numerous articles and food critics. Just Google ‘Honest Chops’ and see for yourself, 5 star ratings across the board.

As an ever-growing community, Muslims have always had differing concerns and attitudes towards Halal meat. It is amazing to see a group of Muslims being proactive in addressing these concerns. More importantly, they're providing a service with heart, and an honest-to-God love for what they do. Just another great example of positive innovation within our global community. You can follow their journey by checking out their website HERE. Also, don't forget to check them out on social media. They are on FB , Twitter and Instagram.

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