Referencing the many expatriates living (and generating wealth) in the country, he said something I’ve never forgotten: “In my own country, when I speak to people in Arabic, they answer me in English. Everywhere I go. Can you imagine? We are a minority in our own country.” Now, nearly two years later, the Al Ain Zoo reports that Emiratis make up 33 percent of their workforce. That’s 160 young Arabs working for a zoo.

Gone are the days of the typical “lazy Arab.” They exist. For sure they exist (and this is a universal condition), but a relatively small minority is chasing not just their individual dreams, but the dreams of their families and their tribe as well.

They completed their studies in Europe or the United States, or – increasingly – back home, and now they are doing the hard work of undoing mistakes accumulated over the last fifty years since discovering oil in 1960. And they’re doing it in their own culturally-relevant style.

It’s a beautiful thing. But more beautiful still:

UAE Social Transformation  

For years we’ve reported terrible stories about the treatment of both domestic and wild animals (read about how this Dubai resident walks around with a cheetah on a leash), and they continue to manifest in disturbing ways, but it is clear that the UAE in particular has undergone a radical transformation when 16,000 young people are striving towards the singular goal of saving endangered species.

“Al Ain Zoo’s Emirati employees play a vital role in the zoo’s overall strategy, delivering our message of conservation with unique insight into the UAE’s natural environment and history,” said Ghanim Al Hajeri, director General of the Zoo.

“The career opportunities are endless – whether in animal care, tourism or administrative roles – and UAE National employees act as ambassadors for our nation, allowing visitors to experience our culture from a different perspective.”

Honing skills of each unique contributor corresponds with Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 which sets out a program “to lay the foundations for a socially cohesive and economically sustainable community that preserves the Emirate’s unique cultural heritage,” Mariam Al Shamsi, Director Human Resources and Strategy said in a recent statement.

Hey, if it gets kids off the couch and moving their feet in nature, that’s fine by us.

The post Al Ain Zoo Hits Record of Sustainable Emirati Employment appeared first on Green Prophet.

Remember the Porsche driver in Dubai who thought it was cool to walk his pet cheetah on a leash in the middle of a busy urban center? It turns out that if he is a resident of neighboring Ajman, he could have received a massive fine and the animal would have been confiscated. In a move that makes our green, animal-loving hearts sing, one of the smallest of seven Emirates and the home of our very own Green Sheikh, is the first Gulf Country to pass legislation which makes it clear that keeping lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles at home is not ok.

Law 54

In 2011 the Ajman Municipality passed Law 54, which states that the possession of all wild animals and reptiles in homes, apartments, and hostels is illegal.

This move followed a spate of incidents of non-domesticated animals escaping residents and endangering other people. The Green Sheikh told us in an email that this new law “protects the community from any danger and damages” that occur when crocodiles and other wild animals break free from their “owners.”

Ajman’s Executive Director of Public Health and Envrionment Khalid AlHousani told Green Prophet that the law was passed following surveys carried out by the department and complaints received from citizens and residents of the Emirate.

He added that anyone caught with a wild animal or reptile in their home (including lizards) will receive “a penalty of 10,000 Dirham (or $2,720) and the animal will be transferred  to a z00 or reserve park.”

AlHousani says “Ajman is the first to pass such a Law.We hope that others will do the same.”

image via Tafline Laylin

More on Crazy Wildlife Stories in the Middle East:

7 of the Saddest Wildlife Stories From the Middle East

Interview: Illegal Wildlife Trafficking With Karl Ammann

Middle East’s Wildlife Smuggling Puts Middle East at Risk

The post Gulf Country Completely Bans Ownership of Wild Animals appeared first on Green Prophet.

Not all country leaders are alike but I admire those who spread wisdom throughout their country in order to enhance every single aspect of their people’s lifestyle, such as our former President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan. Aware of his instincts, our leader was an earth and desert lover who loved falconry and horses and bred camels in order to preserve the natural heritage of his country. His love for the environment and culture was infinite and he was committed to each member of society.

Environmental Balance

Our late leader contributed to the preservation of several kind of endangered plant, bird, and animal species in order to restore and sustain our country’s environmental balance. He also cared for the marine environment by enacting laws and regulations to protect marine biodiversity and establish seawater desalination plants – both of which have become among our most important natural resources.

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan also spurred a cultural evolution that made life easier for the people and gave them everything they needed in terms of public services and facilities, including much needed hospitals and schools. His beliefs were founded on the values of benevolence and of “true” richness – he is not a mentor for persecutors.

Abu Dhabi’s oilfields played a significant role in the realisation of this big change, although it was really challenging for the people compared to other rich countries with similar natural resources. Nothing like this had ever been realized by the Emirates, and we benefitted from the scientific contribution of several other Arabic and Islamic countries.

Blooming Civilization

Sheikh Zayed became an environmental leader who was honored with important scientific awards. We all knew about his commitment to setting up environmentally friendly public buildings, and it is thanks to his efforts that civilization among the Emirates bloomed so beautifully.

On the one hand there is our leader, a man who demonstrated concern for our environment while also restoring peace and health. We have to ensure there is leftover natural wealth for future generations and that life on earth remains healthy for future ages. Indeed this is our responsibility, and Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, my hero, demonstrated incredible focus in this regard.

When I was 6 years-old, this great leader came for lunch at my house and wanted me to sit next to him. He asked me, “what is your name? What is your big dream?”

I told him, “My name is Abdul Aziz and I will tell you my dream when I am older.”

He also said something that I will never forget, “We need to look to nature in the future, because nature allows human life to flourish. It would be unfair to allow animals to die. We need to be fair with nature in order to have peace.”

This column was translated from Arabic into English by Silvia Gandolfo, a translator and interpreter based in France. She can be reached at silviagandolfo [at] hotmail [dot] it.

More From the Green Sheikh:

The Green Sheikh: Love Your Children and They Will Love the Planet

The Green Sheikh Calls for Action Against Environmental Crimes

The Green Sheikh Knows how to Treat a Lady

The post The Green Sheikh’s Eco-Hero: Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan appeared first on Green Prophet.

After publishing so many stories about Arabs who offend nature so deeply, the Green Sheikh’s soothing  words are especially timely. 

What links humans, nature and technology is one of the secrets of life. This link should be used to reach sustainability and to seek “Nature’s Wisdom,” which originates from a conscious and extensive belief in friendship and culture, in order to achieve the natural balance of life.

Our eyes let us see and imagine and bring us to a charming landscape, while a pure heart connects us with the earth and gives us consciousness of nature. A bright spirit influences the waves and sense of magic with its transparency, although many of us can only see superficially, losing the perception of nature and of particular environmental facts. But the photographer helps us re-gain our connection.

How many of us are aware of the challenges met by a photographer trying to convey the ingenuity of the Creator’s living and lifeless beings? When a photographer is taking a beautiful picture, he or she sacrifices his or her time, his or her safety, and sometimes his or her life.

Despite this, to capture the majesty of life as it happens, he or she keeps on giving us high-quality, often colorful pictures, including green for growth innovation, blue for peacefulness, sky, and water, and black for calmness, modest and comfort. Nature’s colors are almost innumerable – as many as those reflected by the sun or even the full moon on its way from east to west or from north to south.

Through the photographer’s lens, I see human creativity in his or her passion, whether it is artistic, environmental, naturalist or any other kind of photography. By portraying the “wisdom of nature, or the nature of wisdom” and by highlighting plenty of details, the photographer can help us understand the whole picture of knowledge, and save our collective memories and experiences.

We all know that pictures tell even more than a thousand words and one shot can generate millions of feelings. We should thank the world’s photographers for their efforts and for the wonderful work they do for us and for nature.

More from the Green Sheikh:

The Green Sheikh Knows how to Treat a Lady

The Green Sheikh Calls for Action Against Ecological Crimes

The Green Sheikh: Love Your Children and They Will Love the Planet

The post Nature’s Wisdom Through the Photographer’s Lens: The Green Sheikh appeared first on Green Prophet.

We have been warned that the earth has reached a dangerous borderline. Here I’ll give you my personal opinions about the environment, in order to hopefully reduce the affect of crimes committed against the earth and to decrease the danger that plagues us with floods (as the one that happened in Pakistan and more recently Thailand), earthquakes, tsunami and hurricanes.

We must preserve raw materials like energy and water and improve the efficiency of industrialization, avoiding the production of waste in all stages of industrial and marketing operations, and we must replace toxic and dangerous substances with alternative or clean ones.

We must impose penalties on those caught producing emissions (which are expected to double in the next 30 years) after the issuing of the legislation, and we must look to other alternatives and mechanisms for the various stages of the production such as recycling, employing and recovering secondary products and waste as much as possible, in order to convert waste materials into commercial profits.

Global warming

For many years environmental studies related to emissions have been conducted and supervised by a committee of experts ad hoc. Indeed the world witnessed an increase of temperatures caused by gas emissions and by fossil fuel consumption. The Emirates are the most over-warmed countries in the world in terms of per capital carbon dioxide for individuals. Compared to the rest of Arab Asia and Africa, the Emirates have the hottest climate and most extreme climatic conditions; along with sea level rise, this will cause more floods and bad weather.

All these circumstances will lead to a thermal increase against the population with a higher rate of disease due to population and economic growth that has in turn increased the rate of energy consumption. In order to prevent the risk of some national companies working in the oil-refining industry that may run out gas flaring operations, the Emirates have determined what should be done in order to adopt techniques to cut down harmful emissions to the maximum degree. However, we must provide more environmental awareness and implement punitive sanctions to manufacturing and reconstruction authorities, because for economic growth to stay green, it can’t stay dry.

Cleaner production

The result of unchecked climate change would be the collapse of our planet under the high pressure that threatens the livelihood of earth, water, and air, and even of good soil and planting. New diseases have emerged as a result of this imbalance in the ecological balance. In the 80s, the industrial sector implemented a cleaner production program, thanks to the United Nations environmental special program, performing the extraction of contaminated materials before their diffusion, in spite of the following Menda’s manipulation.

We need to restate the concept of “Ecological Efficiency” for the health of this planet and in particular for human health.Ecology increases productivity and decreases the use of natural resources such as water and alternative energy, and it contributes to the production of economic and environmental benefits in order to reduce the negative impact on environment.Thus, this concept is useful in order to prevent pollution and to reduce waste from the source to the final stage experienced by all the products.

Energy waste

We must stress the truth of what has been committed to our planet if we are to revert our airspace from yellow to the clear blue that it once was. We must lead company and factory owners toward the use of clean new techniques that reduce energy waste and dangerous emissions in order to decrease the high rate of carbon dioxide emissions. The industrial system is linked with other systems, and it is not isolated. It should be lead to the optimal use for a life-cycle of materials, from the raw to the manufactured stage of any product, including secondary products, waste production, and storage, and should encourage an optimal use of energy resources and waste production.

Furthermore, we have to make people aware of low cost, smart sustainable buildings which use materials that are suitable for the nature of the local environment, and that are at the same time environmentally friendly. We can prevent the negative effect on population health and on the environment. One of the most important and positive aspects in smart buildings is the cost of using alternative and renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, in the process of heating and cooking.

Using natural ventilation and the sun in several aspects of building leads to reduction of waste and healthier indoor air quality. In addition, frequent landscaping absorbs toxic gases and helps oxygen generation, while the re-use of wasted water of the same buildings, after treatment, is good for watering plants. We must also stress the importance of laws that stipulate limits to atmospheric pollution, land and water and energy waste.

Finally, we should also call for the education of volunteer teams working on the care and protection of the environment and promote more dynamic and real action on charity for greater deeds.

This column was translated from Arabic into English by Silvia Gandolfo, a translator and interpreter based in France. She can be reached at silviagandolfo [at] hotmail [dot] it.

The post The Green Sheikh Calls for Action Against Ecological Crimes appeared first on Green Prophet.

For this month’s column, the Green Sheikh suggests that giving children a sound, stable, kind upbringing in turn cultivates their relationship to nature.

When we are talking about environmental domains, who among us would not be happy to have his body in natural harmony? This naturalness creates self-esteem and satisfaction and generates in each person ideas that may be useful during more depressing periods. On the other hand, echoes can be seen in a person’s behavior, sometimes making him hostile or lonely, when that body is out of harmony. 

Staying healthy

It is possible for children to reach suitable fitness levels with gym lessons or other sport activities, and that is alright. It is also possible to diversify one’s daily routine using various European or Eastern exercises, such as tennis, jogging, shooting and horse riding, according to each person’s will and scholastic ambitions. Diet plays an essential and completing role with sport; therefore constant awareness about healthy eating habits becomes useful for the needs of the body.

Regarding a distinctive variety of healthy meals, canteens at school provide some fruit salads, green salads, sweets made of guaranteed-source milk, good and healthy ingredients for sandwiches, as well as low-calories oils, fresh juices, and yogurts at reasonable prices. It is especially important to support children at school during their gradual growth, and aware of giving them carbonate beverages and chips, only when it is understood that they have grown up and their interests have become more mature.

Feelings can’t be left apart from the student’s education, because when boys and girls are confident and they love themselves, they develop the satisfaction that they will use to interact with the others in public.

Love and Understanding

Parents’ love and understanding of their children travels with them throughout their childhood, giving them the self-esteem they need and a basis for trust. Parents know this is meaningful for their child so that they have self-awareness, follow honest principles, and take care of their responsibilities in various aspects of their lives. And since they spend all morning at school, the role of the institution on the behavior of its students is substantial such that any denial, any carelessness or humiliation, any ostracism, or any use of offensive commentary about others’ scholastic failures affect them in a negative way.

It is suggested to avoid giving direct advice or to embarrass students in front of their colleagues; it is better to use kind words and praise and to clarify points of disagreement that will instill love of the teacher. Furthermore, the aesthetic aspects of life have a significant impact on students’ psychology.

Clean Body, Clean Mind

Commending him/her for having a clean body, clothing, and hair, and handing out school honors for distinguished work, generates enthusiasm so that he/she becomes an example for other students to imitate. It is equally important to follow-up with children who have a weak infrastructure at home, or who struggle with health problems such as obesity, in order to motivate them to overcome their suffering. School builds loyalty within the students, which in turn makes them loving participants of society.

Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan (the former UAE President) said that: “future generations will be living in a world that is very different from that to which we are accustomed. It is essential that we prepare ourselves and our children for that new world.”

Reconnecting with the Planet

Reconnection with our beautiful planet is not a default process. We need to create educational programs at schools, homes, groups, or through social media that facilitate discovery of the world’s many weird and wonderful creatures, which live with and around us. We need to help our students understand what makes nature tick, how its systems work, what problems it is facing and how we can do our best to fix them.

Feel in love with nature, we are part of this earth ecosystem. Love the planet, look after it, and it will love you back.

This column was translated from Arabic into English by Silvia Gandolfo, a translator and interpreter based in France. She can be reached at silviagandolfo [at] hotmail [dot] it.

More Green Sheikh Columns:

The Green Sheikh on Ramadan: Waste 2 Food or Food 2 Waste?

Amazing Meeting Between Green Sheikh and ECOFFEE Founder

Dine With an Unconventional Green Sheikh

The post The Green Sheikh: Love Your Children and They Will Love the Planet appeared first on Green Prophet.

Although the Middle East’s carbon emissions make up a fraction of the global average, the Green Sheikh urges readers to follow these 6 tips to reducing their carbon habit.

Carbon emissions in our region have doubled in the last few decades. In spite of our small contribution (a fraction even) to global emissions, the United Arab Emirates is at the lead of emissions per capita, generating more than five times the amount of carbon per capita than the global average. If we are to improve this, we have to rise to the challenge of using less energy and increasing efficiency.

But before I reveal the six secrets that can help people to reduce their carbon habit, is it not strange that we have to think about “How to consume wisely?” From our regular attitude towards business as usual to environmental change, we go so overboard that as we adapt numerous planning, management and prevention plans to reduce the size of damages, losses and disasters arising from climate change, many of us have forgotten the difference between use and consumption.

To me, use is defined by meeting our daily dietary and other requirements in moderation, in accordance with necessity, while consumption involves the type of wasteful behavior and increasing pressure on our natural resources that is causing climate change and massive depletion. Without our participation in the practice of habits that can reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide from 390 ppm levels to 350ppm, or a reduction of consumption behavior, the earth will not be affected, but whole peoples and nations will become extinct!

• I believe that “Spiritual Change” is the first secret to decreased consumption. The Quran warns against the phenomenon of extravagance. Consuming more food and drink than we need, as well as indulging in excess luxury, is a direct cause of climate change. God says in Surat Al-Anam: “….and eat and drink but do not be wasteful: God does not like wasteful people.” The Quran provides a compass for Muslims to follow the Sunnah (tradition) of the Prophet – one of the most detailed maps humans can follow to achieve happiness, success and peace on this earth.
• The second secret is to win the “Nobel Prize” by simply removing one carbon atom from two oxygen atoms; an atomic change will be very important to humanity and the universe.
• Small reductions have great impact in our lives; let’s call this third secret the “Power of less.” The average annual carbon footprint (per capita) in the UAE is roughly 55.5 tons. My own carbon footprint adds up to 1/3 of that of my peers at 37 tons per year. I have achieved this in part by making a series of small changes to my lifestyle. For example, by reducing my consumption of rice, bread, and sweets, I have not only cut down on my carbon footprint and have 10% less bodyweight, but I also have access to better health, vigor and vitality. Moreover, as part of my holistic lifestyle, I choose energy efficient appliances and have replaced regular incandescent light bulbs in my home with the compact fluorescent variety, I use less energy by turning the air- conditiong thermostat up two degrees, and I don’t leave my home appliances on standby. Additionally, instead of using the bath, I shower and try to keep them at less than 4 minutes (my challenge is 2 minutes). Finally, I avoid hot water as much as possible (it requires energy to heat water) and recycle at home. Higher productivity and less consumption are preferable, says the Prophet Muhammad: “What fills any vessel more than his stomach is to overcome the human himself: one third of the food, a third for drink and one third for the same.”
• Another important fourth secret to change starts with culture. Let’s call this “Cultural Change.” Culture, or the origin of values, beliefs, thoughts, experience and information that results in a community’s certain behavior, habits and traditions prominently influences the human environment, including the effect of media, policies and laws, education and awareness, and contact with other cultures. If we want to generate widespread environmental change, we need to adjust our culture, and we need the presence of a living example or role model.
• The fifth secret of is to understand the “Power of Change.” How much change do we need? Do we need to change our entire lives or only the things that are not appropriate? I believe that change allows us to improve ourselves, helps us to streamline procedures and find new solutions. A radical change may be needed as shock therapy out of prolonged negligence, laziness and indifference. In the Quran, God says”…God does not change the condition of people unless they change what is in themselves.” I always remember this and tell my children, my friends and myself that “reduced desire produces more happiness! You can’t find happiness by only increasing wealth. It is also necessary to reduce one’s wishes.”
• The final secret is the sixth, and it lies in finding “Sustainable Solutions.” In reality, there is no magical solution that will stop pending climate disasters, and there is no technical solution that will repair everything at once, but we can encourage the practices of higher energy efficiency and effectiveness. We can also speed up greening the economy by producing and investing in alternative energy, and by cleaning up petroleum, petrochemical, and natural gas plants with the Cleanear Production approach so that they produce fewer emissions. And finally, we can find ways to take advantage of carbon emissions by either storing them carefully or harvesting them for other methods.

This is not the end but the beginning of a journey catalyzed by the knowledge of these six secrets that will help you first change your personal effectiveness and then that of the world.

More on the Green Sheikh:

The Green Sheikh on Ramadan: Waste to Food or Food to Waste

The Green Sheikh Knows How to Treat a Lady

Dine with an Unconventional Green Sheikh

The post 6 Secrets of Happiness (Living with Less Carbon) From the Green Sheikh appeared first on Green Prophet.

Already a columnist for Green Prophet and a roaming environmentalist whose Ramadan post sent bright green ripples throughout the Muslim world, the Sheikh from Ajman known for his eco-sensitivities has taken on yet another major role. And no, he hasn´t been cloned, but given his already hefty commitment load, you would think he had.

HRH Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Ali Al Nuami has recently been named as Ambassador to the Ford Motor Company Conservation and Environmental Grants Program. Since 2000, Ford has been instrumental in providing funding to a variety of environmental initiatives in the Middle East region, including the Emirates Diving Association (EDA) in Dubai that defended its receipt of a portion of the $1.1 million that Ford has already disbursed to date. There´s just over one month before the 10th September deadline for this year´s grants. Be sure to get your Ford Grant applications in on time!

More on Ford and the Green Sheikh:

The Green Sheikh Knows How to Treat a Lady

Apply Now for Ford & UNESCO´s $100,000 Enviro Grants

The Green Sheikh on Ramadan: Waste 2 Food or Food 2 Waste?

The post Has Ford´s Ambassador – The Green Sheikh – Been Cloned? appeared first on Green Prophet.

Through social media, ECOFFEE Founder Norman Cescut was following my various ecological trips worldwide, and soon asked me if I was interested in doing sustainable business with him.

I told him: “it is not as easy as you think. You should know me first, meet me, and see inside me, because as a title Sheikh, it is not about investment or material wealth; it is about ethics and morals, and I wish for you to understand this.”

Norman decided to take the risk to visit me in Ajman. We agreed on 3 day visit to experience and discover our journey to live, to know, to reflect and to be inspired more in actions. Nothing personal, but to engage how we practice our faith, culture, business, and how we network and socialize with local and international people.

Norman experienced most of my daily life: family, business, charity, and faith. The experience really touched him deeply.  He agreed we are all human beings with many similarities, but with different choices and tastes. My friend Norman expressed his impressions of my small world with the following story.

“This is a man I absolutely have to know”

It was a nice February morning in Dubai when my attention was captured by an article published on BuildGreen magazine. It was about Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al-Nuaimi , member of the ruling Royal Family of Ajman, UAE. I was struck by the words of Sheikh Abdul Aziz, also known worldwide as the Green Sheikh, who uses his influence and connections to create a better world through faith, charity and sustainability.

I said to myself: “This is a man I absolutely have to know.” And thanks to his openness, this happened at the end of May.

He agreed to meet me in a three-day long meeting in Ajman, suggested where to stay and set up a flexible schedule to adjust his previously scheduled meetings. My idea was to share with this big influencer all the information, projects and ideas which form ECOFFEE to have his highly reputable opinion about.

The Green Sheikh’s world

What happened was that I did not only have the opportunity to have the Green Sheikh commenting on what I have been building during the last year, but he also wanted me to join all his meetings and conference calls, introducing me to his world. And it is a big, very interesting one.

As you might guess, I was a little bit intimidated when I first met him, but he was incredibly welcoming and down to earth,  letting me feel at my ease straightaway.

“Come with me, I show you the Al Ihsan Charity Centre.” He guided me to Centre, introducing me to his office manager Mr. Khalid, a smart and clever young future businessman, and Dr. Haki before leaving for an important meeting. Dr. Haki carefully explained to me what the center is about.

The Al Ihsan Charity Center provides financial, health and other support to 9,000 families, 25% of whom are local Emiratis. Each afternoon food is distributed to those who are in need. I was speechless and said to myself:

“This is a great man who speaks with his actions, not only with wise words”.

Dinner with the Green Sheikh’s kids:

Back from the meeting, the Green Sheikh drove me to his house to have dinner with his kids – can you imagine how honored I was to be welcomed to his house too? After a delicious meal, we sat down in the living room and it was my turn to start talking to introduce him ECOFFEE.

The knowledge and expertise of the Green Sheikh about the issues of sustainability and responsibility, much wider than mine and at a worldwide level, brought a new perspective inside the ECOFFEE project.

Surprise was not over that day, because our conversation had to be interrupted for a scheduled conference call with Terry Waghorn, CEO of Katerva, a charity organization registered out of the United Kingdom which delivers the Katerva Awards—the pinnacle of global sustainability recognition – and which acknowledged Sheikh Abdul Aziz among its Goodwill Ambassadors for his ability to take his ’holistic living’ message to the world, activating his moral networks worldwide and galvanizing people of all ages, religions and backgrounds. I was invited to assist at that conference, during which the Sheikh showed once again his being a great, “down-to-earth”, big influencer.

The Wudhu

The day after, Sheikh Abdul Aziz had to attend the GITSI conference. GITSI is the Global Initiative Towards a Sustainable Iraq. He did not change his schedule because of my presence. Much better, he kindly asked to change the conference schedule to allow me to introduce ECOFFEE to all the participants. That was a great opportunity given me by Sheikh Abdul Aziz.

All his support and sharing really made me understand what he meant by ” I am following the core values of an Islamic philosophy based on appreciation and respect. My holistic living message describes one as being connected to the daily circle of life; balancing the spiritual, the intellectual, the physical, the emotional, the aesthetic, the environmental and my own inner peace to help spread peace throughout the world and in the process achieve wisdom.”

The conference was over and the time came to pray. The Sheikh Abdul Aziz wanted to share with me that experience too, allowing me to follow him at the Mosque, another great new experience I have to thank him for. He told me: I will teach you the Wudhu, how to act in the Mosque and how to follow us in the prayer movements, but you will be totally free to pray to yours and our God. Another sign of his open mind.

Meetings with big influencers and great inspiring conversations took place the last day too, and again the Sheikh introduced me to his world and network – reinforcing my belief that it is possible to create a better business, a better life and a better world through collaboration, sharing and deep respect.

A more detailed version of this post first appeared on Norman’s personal blog.

More Green Sheikh Stories:

Dine with an Unconventional Sheikh

The Green Sheikh Knows How to Treat a Lady

Have You Ever Met a Green Sheikh?

The post Amazing Meeting Between Green Sheikh and ECOFFEE Founder Norman Cescut appeared first on Green Prophet.

We are thrilled to announce that the Arab world’s most famous environmental activist will pen a monthly column for Green Prophet. Born H.E. Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, he is probably better known as the Green Sheikh (who knows how to treat a lady!) Drawing from a strong background in environmental sciences (and boundless energy), Abdulaziz travels extensively to promote cultural, environmental, and spiritual awareness.

In concert with our own philosophy, the Green Sheikh’s somewhat unconventional approach transcends borders, politics, and religion. For this, he is deeply loved both in his home country, the United Arab Emirates, and throughout the world. And for breaking down the barriers associated with Arab royalty in order to help save what he calls the Blue Planet from human destruction, he is enormously respected.

In his first column, the Green Sheikh introduces Dine with an Unconventional Sheikh, a cross-cultural exchange program, and speaks a little bit about what he hopes to achieve during his current visit to Brazil. He cherishes public participation, so please don’t be shy to add your comments and questions to his posts. The first one is below.

The Green Sheikh goes to Jacksonville

In the summer of 2008, my wife and I visited Jacksonville in the United States and met many important people at our host Suzanne Perritt’s home. That evening she invited her friends, neighbours, and key figures in the society to  listen to me speak about my interest in the environment, charitable causes, spirituality, family relationships, and general well-being.  I was dressed in the traditional robe of our Arabic Emirates customs.‬

A few special guests that evening commented on the talk. Tome Wastson said, “I hope and pray that some other Arab royal families will develop more representatives in the mold of Abdul Aziz who will be instrumental in seeking a peaceful future as these societies integrate with the rest of the world.”‬

Another guest whose first name I only remember as being Mike said that, “it gave hope that people of different cultures and religions can live together in harmony.”

Legendary Arabic hospitality

We were inspired by this event to establish Dine with an Unconventional Sheikh. This is a unique cultural program held in the Emirate of Ajman in the UAE. We open the doors to our home and invite international guests to experience traditional Emirati cuisine and culture.‬

I and my family personally welcome the visitors to our home, in the traditional style of the country, and enjoy the exclusivity of discussing both one on one and with the whole group any topics pertaining to the UAE. These topics could include culture, tradition, environment, family, spirituality, a few secrets people in the West don’t know about, and more.

The guests are able to walk around our home and freely ask questions. They will have a chance to see pictures of our family, learn about our genealogy, and hear anecdotes about the local community.‬ At dinner, hosts and distinguished guests will have a chance to socialize further while savouring traditional authentic dishes of this region and experiencing legendary Arabic hospitality. Visitors are certain to leave with a great sense of satisfaction, having made new friends among the Emarati community, and with a truly better understanding of our beautiful culture. We hope that this program will boost cross-cultural exchange between international guests and Emiratis.

Sacred times with the Green Sheikh

Proceeds from the tour will be donated to un-sponsored children and single-parent families in the UAE through a local charity called Al Ihsan. This charity was founded by H.H Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, a member of the supreme council of the UAE and ruler of Ajman.‬ It was officially established in 1998 and is dedicated to providing care to disadvantaged individual and families including widows, divorcees, and the disabled, as well as abandoned women and children.

Anthony Robbins and his Platinum Partner visited the wonderful country of the UAE for a once in a lifetime experience, and spent an evening with me and my family.‬  In a gesture of thanks the Anthony Robbins Foundation donated to the Al Ihsan Charity.

Some members of Platinum Partner and other guests expressed their appreciation for the evening. Andy Green said, “the evening we spent in your company and with your wonderful family was truly a unique, unforgettable and life-changing experience.”

Another young man from New York, Michael Gitchel said, “I intend to visit Dubai and Ajman again with my family to meet Sheikh Abdul Aziz in order to open their hearts and minds and to see the truth as I have.”

Larelle Cox from Australia said that her visit with my family, “was truly a sacred night for all of us.”

Beyond fear for a sustainable future

My July 2009 visit to the United States for a dialogue study tour on Religion and Society has also added great value to all of us in the group. It was a wonderful experience where we learnt and shared the similarities and differences between Islam, Christianity, Judaism and other faiths. We removed fear and built new relationships for better future plans and activities.

It is in this spirit that Dine with an Unconventional Sheikh was created. The UAE is becoming the dream for all nationalities worldwide due to diversity in culture, life style and tolerance. Our country is a friend to all other countries in the world.

The lungs of the world

In other news, today I am traveling to Brazil to join thousands of people to celebrate World Environment Day. This and other events which fall in the same month – World Oceans Day on the 8th of June and World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought on the 17th of June – are key global environmental events that focus on the most important challenges that Brazil, the UAE and the world face.

I will address the audience on how the Amazon rainforest has a critical influence on the South American climate and is one of the world’s most important carbon banks. Covering almost as much land as the contiguous United States, the Amazon is home to 20 percent of the planet’s animals and plant species and stores the equivalent amount of carbon as a decade of global fossil fuel emissions in its trees. It plays a crucial role in the precipitation cycle of South America and pumps oxygen into the atmosphere, earning it the nickname the “Lungs of the World.”

Arabs and Amazonians unite

I will also discuss the link between the important goal of saving the Amazon rainforest and combatting desertification in the UAE. Also, I will learn of the spiritual connection between the Arabs and Amazonian indigenous peoples – two groups who live in completely different lands but can learn much from each other and contribute significantly to the sustainable development of their own regions.

I hope my visit to Brazil will show heartfelt solidarity with all the world’s environmental NGOs, both regional and local, and their valuable work to help save the Blue Planet from future man-made disasters by putting it on the safe course of sustainable development.

More stories about and interview with the Green Sheikh:

The Green Sheikh Knows How to Treat a Lady

Have You Ever Met a Green Sheikh?

The Green Sheikh Rubber Stamps Cradle to Cradle Event

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