Jawaid, a 26-year-old urban planner, environmentalist and artist living in the District, directs Green Muslims, a group seeking to make love for the environment a mainstay of Muslim communities. Jawaid is also an editor for altmuslimah.com, a website devoted to exploring gender issues within Islam. Jawaid came to D.C. from California, where she earned an undergraduate degree in public policy from the University of Southern California and master’s degree in urban planning from the University of California, Irvine. She spoke to The Washington Examiner via email about her passion for nature and art. Do you consider yourself to be of a specific faith?
I’m a Muslim. The most beautiful part of my faith to me is the concept of tawhid, unity, or the oneness of God. This concept allows me to reflect on how everything I experience on a given day is from him, from the leaf that falls from a tree onto my hand to the sound of my heavy breathing sprinting down a hill.
You’re the director of Green Muslims, a group that seeks to raise awareness about environmental issues. What part of your faith leads you to be so heavily involved in environmental causes?
In the Quran, God identifies nature as a tapestry of signs for man to reflect upon his existence, just as the verses within the Quran are also considered signs, sharing the same Arabic word, “ayat.” This relationship is further deepened by many chapters within the Quran that take the name of natural phenomenon such as the bee, the fig, the light and so on. This makes the conversation between nature and scripture explicit. Going further than contemplation of the universe, God bestowed mankind with vice regency on Earth, entrusting humanity with the duty to protect and restore balance in the environment and to protect the signs for future generations to enjoy.
Have Muslims traditionally been involved in environmentalism? What kind of reception have you gotten in the Muslim community?
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) embodied the three most important principles in mankind’s relationship to nature as outlined in the Quran: unity with God and Earth, stewardship of the planet and taking on the covenant of environmental stewardship for future generations. He pioneered sustainable uses of land, conservation of water and humane treatment of animals, saying, “If anyone wrongfully kills even a sparrow, let alone anything greater, he will face God’s interrogation.”
Translating this example to the modern age has been a challenge. Excessive consumption has led to environmental degradation by all communities, including Muslims. In our work with Green Muslims, we’ve tried to create a space for Muslims and partners to deepen their connection to the land. Our programming includes: monthly volunteering at Walker Jones Farm, zero-trash networking events, greening local mosques and Ramadan dinners, and programming for Muslim youth in vulnerable parts of the District.
Generally, the Muslim communities in the area are excited about our work — they realize the importance of it. However, given the rise in Islamophobia, Muslim leaders are fatigued because it seems more pressing to focus on fixing negative perceptions. Environmental stewardship isn’t the biggest priority. It is understandable, but by creating a space for folks to get back to the land, recognizing social inequity continues to exist and providing opportunities for people to become more selfless, both with the planet and with each other, we may be able to remedy the malaise felt for fellow man.
You’re also an artist. What kind of spiritual experience do you have when you paint? Do you think that spiritual experience is specific to Islam?
When I paint, it is a direct path to spirituality. Despite how vulnerable it makes me feel, I do it because in those moments on the canvas I am exploring the space within myself that I would not otherwise tap into. I’m positive this experience is not exclusive to Islam. In fact, Green Muslims is working on an interfaith environmental art exhibit next year that will bring together artists of spiritual backgrounds.
At your core, what is one of your defining beliefs?
I believe in the power of story. Sadly, we live in a world filled with fear and not enough storytelling. Relationship building starts with hearing the important stories that made people who they are. In the process of storytelling, we have to practice being present, listening, becoming open to different worlds and truly feeling your fellow human’s heart.
– Liz Essley
