We are happy to welcome Layalee Beirat, CMGT’s new Executive Assistant. Layalee’s first activity with the CMGT was when we participated at the Openlands Community Tree Planting in the Fall 2022, located in the Little Village neighborhood.
Layalee at the Openlands Community Tree Planting
CMGT on the News
Last March, CMGT was interviewed by Muslim Travelers, an Indonesian Award Winning TV show. The interview was aired in April, close to Eid and Earth Day. It focused on Masjid Al Farooq, the CMGT’s main partner in the 2023 Green Mosque Program and Tree Ambassadors Program. The 3 parts of the show can be found on Youtube here: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
On May 8, 2023, CMGT was featured in Media Milwaukee represented by CMGT’s Executive Director, Caroline Williams and former CEO, Rohany Nayan. Click HERE to read the article.
The CMGT also was featured on May 2023 Tree Ambassadors Program Newsletter, published by the CRTI (Chicago Region Tree Initiative). Click HERE to read the article.
Muslim Travelers interview at Masjid Al farooq
Screenshot from Media Milwaukee
Screenshot from CRTI Tree Ambassadors Newsletter
Board & Executive Members’ Activities
Board President Mohammed Faheem gave a speech at the Faith in Place‘s Earth Day Vigil on April 27th. Click HERE to read the speech.
Board Member Nana Firman who is also a representative of ISNA Green Initiative and Green Faith was interviewed by ABC News on April 21, 2023. Click HERE to see the video.
Board member and Executive Director Caroline Williams received an invitation from Mayor Lori Lightfoot to attend the 2023 Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Caroline said farewell to Mayor Lori and thanked her administration for starting Our Roots Chicago, a tree equity program and invited the CMGT since its early formation.
Mohammed Faheem at the Faith in Place’s Earth Day Vigil
Nana Firman interviewed by ABC News on Earth Day
Caroline Williams at the Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Mayor Lori Lightfoot
Reinforcing the message shared by God through His Prophets over time, Islam places a great emphasis on the earth, the environment and its preservation, in the Quran revealed through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him).
Muslims believe that the environment is a gift from God and that they are responsible for taking care of it. This responsibility is reflected in the teachings of the Quran, the Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad-Peace be upon him), and the example set by the Prophet himself.
One of the key concepts in Islam that relates to the environment is the idea of “stewardship” or “trusteeship” (khilafah in Arabic). Muslims believe that they are not owners of the earth, but rather its custodians, and that they are accountable to God for how they treat the environment. The Quran says,
“It is He who has made you vicegerents (khulafa’) of the earth.”
(Quran 6:165)
In Islam, there are a number of practices and teachings that emphasize the importance of preserving the environment. For example, Muslims are encouraged to use resources responsibly and not to waste them. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said,
“The earth is green and beautiful, and Allah has appointed you his stewards over it.”
(Hadith)
Islam also prohibits the destruction of natural resources and wildlife, and encourages the planting of trees and the preservation of forests. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said,
“Whoever plants a tree and it bears fruit, whoever cultivates land and makes use of it, or whoever builds a house and makes use of it, Allah will reward them.”
(Hadith)
In addition, Islam teaches that all creatures, including animals and plants, have rights that must be respected. Muslims are encouraged to show kindness and compassion to all living beings, and to avoid actions that harm them.
Many Muslim scholars and organizations have also been at the forefront of promoting environmental awareness and sustainability, and have launched several initiatives to address environmental challenges. The Chicago Muslims Green Team is an example, along with several Islamic environmental organizations that focus on promoting sustainable development, conservation, and environmental justice.
Overall, Islam views the environment as a sacred trust and calls on Muslims to be responsible stewards of the earth.
There are so many ways to make our world a better place. Here is the clip of proposed solutions to the environmental issues presented by our youth (10th to 12th grade) participants of the Courage Project led by Dr. Rohany Nayan.
Essay
What is Courage?
By Amira Shakir 2021-2022 The Courage Project Participant
When many people think of the word “courage”, they think of fearlessness. In actuality, it is the opposite. Courage can not exist without fear. According to Google’s definition, courage is “the ability to do something that frightens one”. A person must face and persevere through a hardship of some sort to have courage.
As all things are, the word itself and the experiences associated with it are generally subjective. An action thought of as simple for one person may be terrifying for another. Although they may be executing the same action or task, the level of difficulty varies between the individuals.
Considering this, everyone experiences courage in one way or another no matter how simple or startling the issue at hand is from someone else’s perspective. The world wouldn’t be what it is today without courage or the will to try. Many well-known leaders and celebrities would not have made an impact on the world if it weren’t for the courage to take the first step. This is something that each of us is able to obtain. But we first must be willing to try.
Any courageous act, no matter how small will slowly but surely make this world a better place. There are numerous issues with the environment and the world is dying. Unfortunately, many people are standing idle and ignoring the matter. Not to say that repairing the earth is an easy problem to overcome. It takes a great deal of courage to stand apart from everyone else and make a difference.
We as a human race should all come together and find the courage to restore the earth. There will be times where we feel hopeless when we don’t see the change or results that we want. Despite this, we must muster courage and persevere.
Ilustration. Source: canva.com
The opposite of courage is cowardice: “lack of courage in the face of danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc”. If we are frightened of the issues in the world and abandon them completely, things will only get worse.
Imagine where the world’s most influential people would be if they were too scared to speak up. There will always be hardships and scary obstacles that we all must face as human beings. We must muster the courage to surmount this and excel. As Marl Manson states, “Bravery is not the absence of fear. Bravery is feeling the fear, the doubt, the insecurity, and deciding that something else is more important”.
“He is the One Who smoothed out the earth for you, so move about in its regions and eat from His provisions. And to Him is the resurrection ˹of all˺.”
Al-Quran, 67:15
“Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “He is the One Who brought you into being and gave you hearing, sight, and intellect. ˹Yet˺ you hardly give any thanks.”
Al-Quran, 67:23
We are very blessed with many things. The earth itself is a gift to us and we should take care of it. Unfortunately, many of us do not use our ears, eyes, hearts and minds to help take care of it. We should muster the courage to help other people aware of the environmental crisis.
By the will of Allah, the earth has given us everything and asks for vey little in return, yet we abuse it. We can express thankfulness by doing our part to help the world.
Chicago Muslims Green Team (CMGT) is grateful to receive ongoing support from our Board of Directors. In 2022, CMGT welcomed four new Board Members and elected our new Board Officers for 2023 as follows:
President: Mohammed Faheem
Secretary: Joko Supriyanto
Treasurer: Fred Williams
The full list of our Board of Directors can be found on “Our Team” webpage.
As a young nonprofit organization, CMGT depends on a strong Board of Directors to provide the guidelines and evaluations, to strengthen the foundation of the organization, and to expand our networks. CMGT is blessed to have Board members from diverse background with different cultures, knowledge, and skills.
Here are pictures of activities from our Board members:
Meet and Greet with the Illinois Governor
Board of Directors Rayda Edding and Mohammed Faheem represented CMGT at the event on September 27, 2022 at Bridgeview Community Center organized by CIOGC (Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago).
Board of Director Nana Firman who is also a representative from GreenFaith and ISNA Green Initiative gave a speech at an International webinar of Faith for a Just Energy Transition on September 28, 2022. The event is co-hosted by GreenFaith, the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, and the Laudato Si Movement.
Source: Nana Firman
At the event, religious leaders worked together to demand a Non-Proliferation Treaty on fossil fuels and created an interfaith letter to be sent and released to the governments and financial institutions.
For more info, please click HERE to read an article and HERE to watch the video recording of the event.
Since 2021, Chicago Muslims Green Team (CMGT) has been an active member of the Community Tree Equity Working Group in supporting Our Roots Chicago, the City of Chicago’s tree equity program.
Our common goal is to expand the tree canopy coverage through an equitable approach. In simpler words, we want this Chicago map to go all green.
Tree Canopy Coverage Percentage By Census Tract. Source: chicago.gov
We want every neighborhood in the City to reap the benefits of trees. Trees provide shade for our home from the sun and blocking winter winds. Trees improve air quality, absorb water, thus help to prevent flood. Trees promote physical activities, increase walking traffic, and bring communities together. Trees reduce stress and anxiety. Trees also help to repair urban biodiversity. In conclusion, trees help to lower our energy bills, increase our property values, and improve the quality of life in our neighborhood.
Source: chicago.gov
The City of Chicago has a goal to plant 75,000 new trees in neighborhoods with low tree canopy. The City also has developed CHI311 App for anyone who wants to get involved.
Tree Equity Working Group Year-End Report. Source: Raed Mansour
However, it is still not an easy task without the support from community members. It would be a waste of tax payers’ money if the trees end up dying due to lack of water, being ignored, or vandalized by people who reject trees around their properties or in their neighborhood.
From 2021-2022, CMGT has been educating ourselves, spreading awareness to our diverse communities, connecting to other organizations by attending and organizing trainings, hosting webinar, giving talks at events, and attending tree planting events. Here is the clip to see our activities.
2021-2022 Tree Planting Program activities
In 2023-2024, CMGT is grateful to be one of seven organizations who receives the Resilience Grant to expand our Tree Planting Program. Under the guidance of CRTI (Chicago Region Trees Initiative) Morton Arboretum we believe that together we could achieve our specific goals in greening our beloved city and spreading the benefits of trees to our diverse communities in Chicago this year. InshaAllah!
The Resilient Grant Kickoff event on December 13, 2022. Source: Caroline
