When I was first asked to represent the local mosque at the monthly meetings of Glasgow's Interfaith group, the gatherings usually began with a short talk themed around an annually changing topic to provide a focus for discussion, with the different faith representatives taking turns to give an understanding of these themes from their own perspective. These are the notes for a talk I gave to the group on one of these occasions in March 1991, just after Saddam Hussein had set fire to the Kuwaiti oil wells - hence the war related opening. I will try to make the whole thing more intelligible sometime.
 
 

Islam and Ecology

I .War and Environment

            A .Jihad not war but struggle

                        1 .Greater and lesser jihad

                        2 .jihad of Argument & Quran

                        3 .communication & example

            B . Conditions that permit war

                        1 .Self defence or invasion

                        2 .Tyranny & injustice

                        3 .Breaking of treaties

            C . Parameters of war

                        1 .No women or children or old men

                        2 .No tree cutting

                        3 .No water poisoning

                        4 .Stop when enemy stops

 

II . Main Theme

            A .General principles last time

                        1 .Robert taking generalities

            B . Practical examples of mus. ecol.

                        1 .too broad a field for 15min

            C . Earth, water, fire, air, spirit

            D .Conservation of elements

                        1 .Pasturage mentioned

                        2 .Qunut

                        3 .Wind towers

            E . Elements used for purification of each other

                        1 .Earth for pots (water)

                        2 .Fire for metal (earth) & water

                        3 .Spirit of life in plants

                                    a .air & organic matter

            F . Keep to one element - Water

                        1 .Global

                                    a .Water cycle in Quran

                        2 . Personal

            G . Wudhu - (cf tayammum)

                        1 .Distinction between poisonous and wholesome substances

                        2 .Food for living things must be cleaned of what poisons them.

                        3 .Outline of Wudhu principles

                        4 .Poisonous wastes must be isolated and purified

                        5 .Personal awareness in populous gatherings (cities) means a public sewage system

            H . Islam a Way of Life often said, but interrelation of personal religion and social action rarely understood

            I .Means that good muslims take care of public health and sewage etc.