Chicago Muslims Launch Green Ramadan

Suburban mosques in Illinois are preaching carpools, recycling and reduced meat consumption this month as part of a Green Ramadan campaign launched by the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago. According to the Daily Herald, the Council includes 50 mosques with 40,000 members.

Five mosques have officially signed on, including the first solar mosque in the United States, the Bridgeview Mosque Foundation (left).

From the Herald:

“Ramadan is the month where you change your lifestyle, so it makes a lot of sense to use the month to change our behavior in terms of consumption, environmental consciousness and stewardship,” said Zaher Sahloul, Bridgeview Mosque Foundation president and chairman of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.

Chicago is not the only place where Ramadan is a chance to examine human impact on the earth. We reported yesterday that Amman is subsidizing vegetables in honor of the holiday. You can also see the Green Prophet guide to a green Ramadan here.

The Council Web site brings up a number of passages from the Quran that point to the need for enlightened use of the Earth’s resources:

“Now, behold! Your Lord said to the angels: I am placing upon the earth a human successor to steward it” (2:30)

This week, the Council is pushing recycling, and the focus will shift to other green topics throughout the month.

:: Photo from Chicago Public Radio