By Mohd. Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net,
Hyderabad: Student Islamic Organization of India (SIO) Hyderabad unit is planning an environment protection drive to popularize nature conservation among new generation of Students. In this regard a three day environment conservation expo titled ‘THINK. ACT. SAVE.’ is being planned in the city on 8, 9,10th December, and SIO is living no stone unturned to make sure that thousands students make their drive at exhibition ground Namapally the venue of the expo.
Latest statistics on global warming warns us of lethal consequences of environmental degradation and over exploitation of natural resources. There are several NGOs formed across the world and in India with the sole aim to popularize environment conservation drives. But it is the first time in India that a Muslim organization has taken up on their memorandum to do their bit to tackle the Environmental pollution a biggest threat facing by the mankind.
SIO city president Syed Anas Rizvi speaking to TCN said, that his organization has planned 500 lectures in colleges and 100 lectures in the schools, and till now 100 lectures are being delivered in both Minority and Non-Minority institutions and he is pleased with the response they are getting from the students.
Rizvi said SIO is putting up posters, holdings at public spots and even planning to erect stalls at commercial places to popularize the event. The most interesting part of the advertising camping for the event is, SIO will take up a plantation drive in the city under UN 100 million tree programme by 2017. Apart from manual campaigning and advertising, an online drive is also on to attract the younger generation through social media, andin that respect a website www.saveearth.in is being released recently.
SIO Presdient Mohd Annas Rizvi and City secretary Arifuddin Mohammed with the poster of the event
In this regard SIO is also planning to form at least two eco-friendly mosques in the city, where trees will be planted, solar energy generators and water purifiers will be installed. According to SIO mosques are the power center of Muslim society by projecting eco-friendly mosque they want to project Islamic solutions for the problem of environment degradation.
When asked how serious the threat of environment degradation to mankind is?, SIO city secretary Arfiuddin Mohammed was ready with statics on his lips, he said according to the UN high level threat committee environment dilapidation is the biggest threat facing by the human beings. He said every minute, 51 acres of tropical forests are destroyed, 50 tons of fertile soil is washed away, and 12,000 tons of harmful CO2 is added in the atmosphere.
Poster for the Save Environment expo
Arifuddin said SIO believes that Islam provides explanations to all the problems of the mankind, and Islam do offer the solution to the problems of environment. He said, “Islam provides long term solution for the problem of environment degradation. Islam provides the concept of ‘Tawhid’ that all natural resources are the property of Allah, the concept of ‘Mizaan’ which mean balance should be there in the use or exploitation of those resources. The concept of ‘Khalifa’ which make us human beings the representatives of God on earth, we have a trusteeship to protect the property of Allah. And the concept of ‘Akhirah’ that man is answerable to Allah for his deeds.”
SIO city president Syed Anas Rizvi added that over exploitation of natural resources is a sin according to the principle of ‘Israaf’ in Islam.
Responding to the stereotype of some right wing environment activists about Muslims that they are hampering biodiversity by indulging in Animal slaughter, SIO city Secretary Arifuddin Mohammed said, “Allah has created plants and Animals in a balance format. Islam permits the slaughter of Animals which are found in abundance and their reproduction is vibrant. Even ifwe think rationally,if those animals are not consumed, it will create imbalance in the biodiversity. Each day almost 5 species on this earth is becoming extinct, a look at those extinct species will make it clear that none of them were permitted to be consumed in Islam.”
Poster for the Save Environment expo by SIO
Charting out the program plan of three days Save Environment Expo, Mr. Arifuddin said there will be symposiums, demonstrations, talks and debates followed by documentary presentation every 2 hour. SIO is also planning to form a model of ideal Islamic village during the expo. SIO is hopeful to attract intellectuals working on environment to share their experiences, State Environment and forest minister SatrucharlaVijaya Rama Raju and Union Environment and Forest Minister Jayanthi Natrajan are expected to attend the symposium at first day of Expo.
SIO city secretary said that their organization Environment activism will not be restricted to just three days, as during the expo they are planning to form a society consisting of different NGOs to work on permanent solutions of Environment degradation.
SIO also hopes that their unprecedented step will cast positive image of Muslim community and will helpful in breaking many stereotypes regarding Muslim community.