Muslim Environmentalisms: Theory and Practice – Anna Gade, University of Wisconsin

Anna Gade gave a talk on Muslim Environmentalisms: Theory and Practice on 4th November 2024 at Alhamra Art Centre. More than 200 guests attended the session which indicates the interest of the people in the topic. In the talk, Anna offered an interdisciplinary exploration of Islamic environmental ethics, connecting them to contemporary environmental challenges. Gade emphasized the importance of integrating religious, ethical, and cultural perspectives from the Global South into global environmental discourse.

Her talk focused on three critical themes: multispecies relations, rights of nature, and environmental justice. She highlighted how Islamic frameworks offer a communal and holistic ontology that extends beyond human-centric views, emphasizing mutual relationships between humans and non-humans. Drawing from the Quran and Islamic law, she illustrated how environmental stewardship (khalifa) is not merely anthropocentric but is rooted in a broader creation-based relationality. The Quran’s portrayal of all beings as part of a community (ummah) underscores this interconnectedness.

Anna critiqued Western environmental frameworks, such as the Anthropocene, for their limited moral scope and reliance on settler-colonial models of ethics. Instead, she proposed that Islamic perspectives, with their emphasis on justice and communal obligations, provide a robust alternative. She also discussed the integration of Islamic legal principles, such as public welfare, to address contemporary environmental challenges like resource management and climate justice.

In conclusion, her talk highlighted the critical role of postcolonial and religious frameworks in reshaping environmental ethics for a sustainable future. She advocated for integrating Islamic ethical traditions into global environmental ethics to address pressing issues like climate change with a justice-centered and inclusive approach.