1st - 31st January 2022

Dr. Ather Hussain al-Azhari.

Imam, Writer & Lecturer, Leicester Central Mosque

We do live in a world where we advocate change all the time - political, social and even spiritual - but we do not take any steps ourselves. Allah informs us that He will not change a community until they change themselves

(Quran, 13: 11)

How have you been changing your lifestyle to move towards a more climate-friendly way of life, in one or several of the three areas of transportation, diet, and home energy use?
Without a doubt, my family and I are certainly moving towards a more eco-friendly lifestyle. In terms of transportation, we have a hybrid car that we know is making a significant change to the environment around us. My parents’ house has a solar-energy panel installed on the roof, something I am considering for my own home too. Diet is one area where change has been most difficult. Having said that, my daughter Aisha (12) - who is very vocal on environmental concerns - is always reminding us of the need to recycle, cut out waste and make purchases that consider the environment, too. I think I have always been environmentally-conscious. My family loves nothing more than a drive in the Derbyshire Dales or a day at Rutland Water. As a Muslim Imam, I appreciate the wonderful guidance given to us on green affairs from our religion. Yet I happily admit that the talk delivered by Karman Shehzad (of the Bahu Trust UK, a partner of Living the Change- editors note) in 2019 in Leicester made a huge difference to how I viewed the issue. Whereas before my knowledge was largely theoretical, Kamran wonderfully highlighted the practical aspects of green choices on transport, food, energy, water consumption, food waste, packaging and how we can make a direct and immediate change.

How has this experience of personal change been a journey, and what have been both the joys and the difficulties on your path?
This journey has been a wonderful one, not least because it leads to inner peace and contentment. I cannot think of any negatives at all. We do live in a world where we advocate change all the time - political, social and even spiritual - but we do not take any steps ourselves. Allah informs us that He will not change a community until they change themselves (Quran, 13: 11). In my opinion, environmental affairs is one area where it is futile to desire change globally, without one taking steps at home to make a difference.

How have your faith and spirituality been supportive of your journey of change?
Prince Charles once commented that throughout the world, people are more likely to take environmental concerns seriously if they see it as a religious responsibility, too. He added that no religion promotes green affairs better than Islam. We as Muslims know that feeding an animal is a religious act that leads to reward from our Lord (in the same way that harming animals leads to His displeasure). Through daily ablution, we have a regular link with water. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) talked in particular about the importance and superiority of planting trees. He was vehemently against waste. He loved green scenery and found joy in watching flowing water. Each and every day, I am learning more about how faith and spirituality supports one’s love for the environment.

Ramila Chauhan

Leicester, UK; business woman and Bhumi UK Co-ordinator

For many years I’ve been going about my life just like everyone else: getting married, having children and running a family business. Where is the time to stop and think about the environment? We are just swept away with all the general demands of culture and commercialism.

I was born in Mombasa, Kenya, and I come from a working class family. My father was the sole provider for nine of us. We had enough but not plenty. When we came to Leicester in the late ‘60s, things were still very simple and wholesome. There were not the vast choices we see today in our shops and supermarkets and no ready meals packed in plastic. As our buying power increased and we had three boys, the large shopping trolley was always full, just in case we ran out. There was a great deal of waste, I have to admit. But now I shop little and often, planning my meals and buying only what I need. I’m also conscious of my food miles and try to buy local produce where possible.

As part of Hindu culture we treat our guests as God, so whenever we have guests or events, we make lots of dishes. The mantra was always, ‘doesn’t matter if we have leftovers, but we must not run out’. It was about status and prestige, but I’ve come to realise that we spend too much time cooking rather than enjoying the precious family time.

My children have been my inspiration and role models. They have educated me about air pollution, plastics and waste. They choose not to fly, follow a vegan diet and they walk wherever possible.

A Hindu marriage lasts over five days with various festivities and family gatherings involving many meals, which are usually served in single-use plastic plates. For my sons’ wedding we made sure that we only used compostable plates made from sustainable resources. We also used plants for decorations, rented from the local nursery, rather than cut flowers or plastics that would have ended up in landfill.

We have made small changes within our daily life. Being vegetarians, meat is not a problem in our family. Some members of the family still eat it but generally when they go out, it’s not a major issue. We have a composting bin and any food waste is composted. We try to grow some vegetables: potatoes, onions, carrots, courgettes, tomatoes, and my grandson’s favourite: strawberries.

Many Hindus believe Hinduism is a way of life, and I’m just beginning to understand its true meaning. Hinduism teaches us that God is in everything, the Earth is our mother (Dharti Ma). The trees are our life source taking away the carbon dioxide and giving us oxygen. Dharma, our main principle, is generally translated as ‘duty’. If God is in every living thing then it’s our duty to care and respect it.

My work with the Bhumi Project gives me the opportunity to help other Hindus to reconnect with their faith and become a little more conscious of our effects on the environment.

Rufus Kamran

How does your faith help you in times of struggle, change, and new beginnings?

I always get strength from reading Mathew 28:20, in which Jesus clearly said that "I am with you forever". When I am depressed, confused or failing in my work, I always spend my time in prayer, receiving the energy to start again with renewed spirit and enthusiasm.

How does your faith describe the relationship between all living things, the Earth, and the Divine?

I am a Protestant Christian who believes in the Ecumenical theology of development. It is our faith to work for climate justice and sustain the lives of all people. This involvement flows out of Christ’s Command to love thy neighbors, as it is the fundamental principle of Christianity.

What does your faith tradition teach about material consumption and simplicity?

In the Bible, Daniel Chapter 1 offers the wonderful example of simple food adopted by three persons. Also, Timothy Chapter 1 clearly says that love for money is the root cause of all evils. I believe that to accumulate wealth beyond your basic needs leads a person towards exploitation of natural resources and the green climate.

In what ways does your community provide you with a guide to life?

I always find the guidance of God for myself from the Book of Proverbs in the Bible. By reading Proverbs, my faith becomes stronger and I get more energy to work for my cause and commitments. I believe that we are here on the earth to fulfill and implement the Lord's commandments.

Which sacred texts most inspire you to act for change?

Exodus 23:10-11 (English Standard Version) "For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield, but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard and with your olive orchard."

What have you done to improve the sustainability of your diet, transportation, and/or energy use?

Inspired by our faith, my wife, my two children, and I all started making sustainable behavior choices about our transportation, our energy use, and our diet beginning between four to seven years ago.

First, we are now using bicycles instead of cars, both to reach the office and to take our children to school. Although we had a family car in the past, the bicycles are now part of our daily lives. There are some challenges, of course, including how the bicycle takes more time and requires more physical energy. Some neighbors also taunt us by asking “how can adaptation of sustainable living from one family can bring the change in the society?" But we are happy taking these actions in our own lives and inspiring others.

Second, our family switched to solar energy for lighting our home starting almost four years ago. For cooking purposes, we are capturing and using the biogas that is generated from our food scraps combined with the animal dung from our livestock.

We also have our own home organic garden with different varieties of vegetables and fruits that are sufficient for our own family’s consumption. We have also five cows and four buffaloes, which provide fresh milk, as well as animal dung that is used as fertilizer and for our biogas fuel production.

Last but not least, my family has been following a plant-based diet since 2011, when I first attended an international Asian Seminar on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security organized by the International Federation of Rural Adult Catholic Movements (FIMARC). We have also started to use indigenous and local cold drinks such as "Satu" (a product made by wastage of wheat harvest), "Shikanji" (a mixture of fresh lemon juice, water and salt), and "Lasi" (a combination of water, salt and a bit of fresh milk).

How would you describe the experience of making these lifestyle changes?

To become the first drop of rain, and to set the example for others, we have to change our personal behavior. Mobilizing the people for climate justice is a difficult task. In spite of this, the young and educated people are now working for climate justice voluntarily. To achieve our goal, we have to give sacrifices and be determined to achieve our target.