Green Ummah

Humza was a valued member of Green Ummah who won the Young Nature Leader award last year! Part of our mandate at Green Ummah is to create a place for BIPOC youth to engage with the environmental movement. We are happy to have been supported by Nature Canada in the achievement of this goal. We encourage all youth to apply for the Young Nature Leader award and would be pleased to help facilitate events or provide organizational support as needed.

Green Ummah represented by Iman Berry attended COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan last month 🇦🇿. The Conference of Parties is a meeting of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to further global progress on combatting Climate Change. 🇺🇳 We were closely following the Just Transition negotiations stream, which focuses on facilitating a fair transition from the world we live in today to one that is actively combatting climate change. In the context of Canada, that could look like re-training Oil workers. However, at COP29, there seemed to be no consensus on the Just Transition stream, and discussions were delayed for later conferences. Iman also had a chance to speak at several events and panels about the issues of Environmental Justice and the impacts of climate-induced migration. In terms of negotiations, the COP was disappointing, to say the least. One of the main goals of the COP this year was to design and decide key elements of a goal for Climate finance. Developed nations have agreed to help channel “at least” $300bn a year into developing countries by 2035 to support their efforts to deal with climate change, and there was a looser call to raise 1.3tn each year by 2035. However, there is little accountability or mechanism for exactly how this would be operationalized. Overall, attending COP29 was an enjoyable and hopeful experience because of the presence of youth and civil society. Always in awe of our peers who are doing incredible work to combat climate change all over the world! 🌎

Good news on Tuesday! Thrilled to see Green Ummah bringing environmental education into classrooms within the Canadian Muslim community! Co-founded by Aadil Nathani, Green Ummah addresses the under-representation of Muslim and racialized groups in environmental causes. They've collaborated with teachers and us at Nature Canada to develop the Greening Our Communities toolkit—a two-week curriculum connecting sustainable habits with cultural and religious values. This initiative not only educates students about sustainability but also ties it to their identity and community values. Kudos to the team for pioneering what may be the first ready-to-teach program intertwining Islam, environmental stewardship, and justice. Inspiring work that's making a real difference! Full story in the comments #naturehood #natureforall

🎙️ New Podcast Episode! 🌍 Tune into the latest episode of What On Earth as our very own Aadil Nathani joins host Laura Lynch and our previous students Yavar Mirza and Anees Chughtai , to dive into "What Teenagers Really Need in a Climate Crisis." From environmental challenges to youth perspectives on sustainability, this episode tackles the pressing issues that today’s teens face in a world grappling with climate change. CBC/Radio-Canada 🔗 Don’t miss out on this insightful conversation – listen now via the link below! https://lnkd.in/ejpup8HK

One of our co-founders, Aadil Nathani , was invited to provide his insight at the Advancing Environmental Justice symposium hosted by Environment and Climate Change Canada in Ottawa this weekend. Aadil spoke on the Preventing Environmental Racism panel. 📢The 2-day symposium comes in the aftermath of Bill C-226 receiving Royal Assent. The government of Canada now has two years to develop a national strategy to tackle environmental racism and promote environmental justice. 📝Some key topics discussed at the symposium included measuring environmental racism, preventing it through policy change, and ensuring the government is in a position to respond to environmental injustice. This symposium served as a step forward in involving communities in policymaking and ensuring all voices are heard on the issues of environmental racism.

We’re excited to congratulate Humza Hassan, a former Green Ummah intern, for being awarded the Young Nature Leaders Grant from @naturecanada! 🌍🌱 Humza is leading an impressive initiative in Toronto that includes organizing 5 park and trail cleanups, paired with educational events. His project exemplifies his dedication to integrating education, community engagement, and environmental stewardship through outdoor seminars and group cleanups. 🌳💪 Check out Nature Canada's press release to learn more about how Humza is making a difference in the community: https://lnkd.in/dKzpBGUG

🌳 “Whoever plants a tree and diligently looks after it until it matures and bears fruit is rewarded.” 🌿 This beautiful Hadith reminds us of the significance of caring for the environment in Islam. By planting and taking care of trees, we contribute to the well-being of our planet and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. Every effort to preserve and protect nature is valued and rewarded. Let’s embrace these teachings and take actionable steps towards a greener, more sustainable environment. 🌱 Every small effort counts! ✨ #GreenUmmah #IslamicTeachings #EnvironmentalStewardship #Sustainability #IslamAndNature

📚🌿Students at Safa & Marwa Islamic School took part in a meaningful activity, learning about environmentally friendly Teachings in the Quran and Prophetic Tradition. They created insightful posters highlighting Islamic teachings on environmental conservation. One group explored the importance of Conserving Water, emphasizing the significance of this vital resource and the need to avoid wastefulness. Their creative work reminds us of the Prophet's (SAW) teachings on using resources wisely and sustainably. 💧 Another group focused on Becoming Stewards of Earth, illustrating our responsibility to protect and nurture the planet. They showed how Islam encourages us to act gently on the land and approach environmental issues thoughtfully. 🌳 Swipe to see their amazing artwork! 🌍✨ #GreenUmmah #IslamAndEnvironment #SustainableLiving #QuranicTeachings

🦋🌿 For their second activity, the class had an incredible hands-on experience of a bug hunt! Equipped with insect nets, bug observation containers, magnifying glasses, and insect identifier guides, the students eagerly explored the bushes, hunting and identifying various insects. They observed these creatures in their natural habitats, gaining a deeper understanding of insect biodiversity. Each student recorded their findings, enhancing their knowledge of local species and their roles within ecosystems. At the end of the activity, the students carefully returned the insects to their natural environment, demonstrating their commitment to conservation and respect for all living beings. Swipe to see our young ecologists in action! 🦋🔍🌱 #GreenUmmah #SafaMarwaIslamicSchool #WildlifeEcology #EnvironmentalEducation

🌿📚During the past school year, our grade 9 geography class from Safa & Marwa Islamic School had an exciting experience at Dundas Valley Conservation Area. They participated in the Wildlife Ecology Program led by the Hamilton Conservation Authority! 🌱 The students explored the intricate relationships between biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components within various ecosystems. They learned about the significance of different ecosystems, niches, and their key components. Through engaging activities, they explored concepts like camouflage and predator/prey relationships, gaining valuable insights into local animal species. This immersive program connected directly to their curriculum, covering Sustainable Ecosystems, Human Activity, and Climate Change, providing them with hands-on experience that brought their lessons to life. 🌲📖 Stay tuned for the next post, where you'll see our young ecologists in action, observing and identifying insects in their natural habitats! 🦋🔍🌱 #greenummah #safamarwaIslamicschool #wildlifeecology #environmentaleducation