Environmental Ethics: An Exploration of Islamic Literature
On February 14, 2018, the Faculty of Languages and Translation's Language Research Center hosted a seminar featuring a thought-provoking presentation by Dr. Haseeb Ahmed. Titled "Environmental Ethics: An Exploration of Islamic Literature," Dr. Ahmed's talk explored Islamic principles relevant to environmental ethics and protection.
Dr. Ahmed started his presentation with a deep-dive into major environmental issues, particularly pollution and contamination. He drew attention to the ecological crisis caused by the harmful emission of greenhouse gases in excessive amounts. Among the impacts highlighted, he pointed out global warming and its subsequent increase in sea levels, which might render numerous islands uninhabitable within a few decades. He also brought up significant international summits and conferences such as the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 and the Marrakesh Accords of 2001, which aimed to address these concerning environmental changes.
Transitioning into the second half of his presentation, Dr. Ahmed underscored perspectives from Islamic literature on environmental preservation. He posited that if humans had adhered to Islamic teachings on environmental awareness and conservation of natural resources from the start, we might not be witnessing the current environmental disasters. While discussing Islamic literature, he referenced verses from the Holy Qur'an emphasizing mankind's role as a custodian of nature. Additionally, he quoted the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) advising against spoiling nature, and highlighted the work of esteemed scholars who discussed environmental matters within their jurisprudential principles.
Overall, Dr. Ahmed's presentation was both informative and engaging, inspiring participants to reflect on our purpose and responsibility in safeguarding the environment.
