Celebrating a Sustainable Ramadan

Our guest blogger today, Seema Ahmed, is a member of the West Cobb Islamic Center in Marietta, Georgia, sharing her practices during Ramadan that inform her commitments to Earth care.Ramadan, which begins Thursday, is the holy month in which Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. This is a month where one can evaluate where they are in life and how to be a better person, while strengthening their relationship with God. It is also a reminder to count your blessings and to give charity to those in need.Unfortunately, during this holy month people tend to forget what Ramadan is really about; instead it becomes more about food. We overindulge and produce an immense amount of waste. When people come to the Mosque to break fast, they are given disposable plates, utensils, and plastic water bottles. Is this environmentally friendly in the long run?  We generate an immense amount of waste during Ramadan. As Muslims, it is our responsibility to be mindful of our actions and how it will impact society. Where does all of our waste end up? In the landfills and the oceans. It negatively impacts the environment and all the inhabitants of Earth.I know it can be hard to transition to being eco-friendly, especially considering the increased cost associated with environmentally friendly products. You can buy compostable products, but even those can only be broken down in a commercial composting facility. Unfortunately, these facilities are not available in every area, so what can you even do?Well, for starters, stay away from styrofoam, aluminum pans, and plastic water bottles. If you have to use water bottles then try recycling them! I think it is a great idea to start a recycling program at your Mosque. In addition, try to refrain from overindulging on food. I think it is a little distasteful for us to fast all day and then trash our meal when so many people go hungry each night. Lastly, be minimalistic. Many items that are bought for this occasion end up being thrown away. With Ramadan coming up, I think we should focus on being the best version of ourselves and taking care of the environment. With the right mindset, we can carry on these practices long after Ramadan ends. At the end of the day, we all have one shared planet. It is time to start working towards a cleaner Earth that can be enjoyed for generations to come.Seema Ahmed is a member of the West Cobb Islamic Center in Marietta, Georgia. Their Green Team is part of the GIPL network of registered Green Teams across Georgia. As an emerging partner with GIPL, this mosque is growing its sustainability practices with the help of young leaders like Sister Seema. Ramadan begins the evening of Tuesday, May 15 and ends Thursday, June 14.  Ramadan is regarded as the holiest month of the year for Muslims as it was the month in which the Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) on the night of Laylat Al Qadr, one of the last ten nights of Ramadan. (Source: https://bit.ly/2HmURMP)