The UK-based the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), together with the U.N., recently hosted  an event at London’s Windsor Castle. About 200 representatives from nine major world religions, including Christians, Hindus, Jews and Muslims, met to discuss on how to integrate environment friendly behavior into their faith. Especially today, in an area of distrust between different beliefs, it’s quite remarkable how this topic brought together ancient religious groups to work on modern solutions.

Pilgrimage is on of the five pillars of Islamic faith, and every year there are up to 3 millions believers on the hajj to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Now Muslim leaders want to prove Islam’s ability to tackle current issues. The  Muslim Seven Year Plan introduced by Sheikh Ali Goma’a, Grand Mufti of Egypt, aims at “transforming the experience into an environmentally-friendly pilgrimage”. This plan includes the implement of a “green hajj”, the construction of “green mosques”, the development of green model cities in the Arab world, to integrate eco-awareness into education,to develop an Islamic label for environmentally friendly goods and services, to publish “green Qurans” on sustainable paper and even the creation of a special TV channel focusing on Islam and environment. Key element is the transformation of Medina, one of Islam’s most important cities, into such a model city. Medina, “The City of the Prophet”, is a strategic start pointing that has the capacity to really launch a green campaign in neighboring territories. Besides, Saudi Arabia in many ways represents the pillar of Arab nations. This may influence the behavior of the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims.

Sheikh Ali Goma’a has already introduced the plan into his own city of Dar Al Iftaa. The bigger pictures includes the view that this will redefine faith-based relationships with the environment. There’s some controversy on the issue because climate policy and environment are still seen as secular by conservative forces. Yet many religious movements have an inherent relationship with the environment, and for example the Muslim Sufis are well known for their deep appreciation of nature.

It will be possible to implement eco-friendly policies if they can be proven to be in line with Islamic faith, and the formation of a Muslim Association for Climate Change Action (MACCA) is another step into that direction. “Essentially Muslim (environmental) groups will be saying to Islamic governments that this is how you should act Islamically,” Martin Palmer, Secretary General of the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), says.  He also points out the difficultly in Islamic groups face in changing what are essentially government policies.

All this considered, the Seven Year Plan will have positive environmental benefits. It points in the direction of increased dialogue and interface cooperation.  Faith might well prove to be suitable vehicle to bring this issue forward, and bring a potentially huge group of people to support this urgent matter. Hopefully it will increase awareness and then lead to effective and long-lasting solutions. After all, this is an issue that concerns people of all beliefs, and it’s in everybody’s interest to work together in order to fight climate change.