Category: CMGT News

Reflecting on Our 2026 Annual Kickoff: Celebrating Growth, Partnerships, and Community

Posted on by Dr. Layalee Beirat in CMGT News, Inspiration, Interesting Read

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for our Second Annual Chicago Muslims Green Team (CMGT) Kickoff on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Hilton Hotel in Oak Lawn.

While we had originally hoped to continue the tradition of hosting our kickoff at the beginning of the year—as we did in 2025—circumstances led us to celebrate a little later than planned. Despite the delay, the afternoon was filled with inspiration, reflection, and excitement for the future, making it a tremendous success.

Opening remark and presentation by CEO Dr. Layalee Beirat

Beginning in 2027, we hope to establish our kickoff as an annual March tradition, bringing together our members, volunteers, partners, and supporters. March represents new beginnings and the arrival of spring in the Chicago area, making it the perfect time to celebrate our community and the start of the gardening season.

Moderator and Ice Breaker led by Board Member, Maria Zaragoza

It was an honor to share CMGT’s accomplishments from 2025 and highlight our goals and progress throughout 2026.

Growing Our Impact

One of our proudest accomplishments in 2025 was launching the Tree Equity Project, made possible through generous support from Justice Outside and the USDA Forest Service. Together, we have continued working toward increasing tree equity and creating healthier, greener neighborhoods throughout our communities. Thank you Openlands and Chicago Region Tree Initiative for planting with us!

Our Outdoor Recreation Program also continued to flourish. In 2025, we introduced 57 individuals to the outdoors through kayaking, hiking, and rock climbing adventures. In 2026, we have already welcomed 59 participants into nature—surpassing last year’s total with more programming still ahead. Watching families and individuals build confidence while exploring the outdoors continues to be one of our greatest joys.

Another exciting milestone was the launch of our Energy Efficiency Program, funded by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus in December 2025. Throughout 2026, CMGT has hosted engaging educational activities that empower residents to reduce energy use and lower household utility costs.

Through partnerships with Citizen Utility Board (CUB) and ComEd, we have connected low-income households in Oak Lawn, Burbank, Chicago Ridge, and Worth with valuable energy-saving resources. We are also looking forward to expanding this work through upcoming educational field trips and continued collaboration with Hometown Masjid.

Board Member, Dr. Ibrahim Ozdemir presenting “Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth”.

Dr. Ibrahim Ozdemir serves on CMGT’s board. As a member, he has supported CMGT connections and opportunities. As a Muslim Philosopher, he presented his publication on Islam and the environment called “Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth.” He has presented his work to the United Nations and was able to present at our 2026 Kickoff.

Green Ramadan 2026

Our Second Annual Green Ramadan Campaign concluded on June 20, 2026, marking another successful year of encouraging sustainability within our local Muslim communities.

Four mosques participated in five virtual learning sessions focused on reducing waste, adopting environmentally responsible practices, and strengthening community sustainability efforts. Each participating mosque received a $100 participation award in recognition of their commitment.

Participating organizations included:

  • AlNahda Center
  • Masjid Alfarooq
  • Masjid Al-Abraar
  • Muslim Community Center

This year, Masjid AlFarooq received the Haroon Arrasheed Memorial Award for Environmental Stewardship in Masajid 2026 in recognition of its ongoing leadership, dedication, and commitment to becoming a Green Mosque.

Honoring Our Partners

Our work would not be possible without the organizations that continue investing in our mission.

The Nature Conservancy received the Growth and Impact Partner Award 2026 for providing essential supplies that have strengthened our programming, including an instant composting machine, hiking backpacks, gardening tools, and other educational resources.

The Chicago Frontlines Fund received the Trusted Partner Award 2026. CFFI believed in CMGT from the very beginning and supported our vision during our earliest stages of growth. Their partnership helped lay the foundation for the organization we are today.

Recognizing Outstanding Individuals

We were honored to celebrate two remarkable individuals whose dedication has made a lasting impact on CMGT.

Caroline K. Williams received the Environmental Stewardship Award 2026 for her unwavering commitment to our organization. Caroline maintains the CMGT website, enthusiastically supports our programming, and warmly welcomes participants at our events. She also founded Love Our Lakefront in 2026 and teaches Environmental Justice through after-school programming for high schools students in Chicago.

Hamdi Hato received the Commitment to Growth Award 2026 for his countless behind-the-scenes contributions that keep CMGT running smoothly. Whether setting up technology for presentations, supporting event logistics, or helping solve unexpected challenges, Hamdi is always there when needed. On a personal note, I am especially grateful for his constant encouragement, thoughtful advice, and unwavering support—not only as a dedicated Vice President/Board Member but also as my husband.

Special Recognition

We would also like to recognize the Forest Preserves of Cook County for generously providing spaces where our community can learn and connect with nature. This year, we hosted a bird walk in January that was featured among Chicago’s Top 10 Outdoor Activities by Marnie Shure through Block Club Chicago. We also organized hands-on workshops, including natural shampoo making and crocheting reusable plastic bags.

Our partnership with Brookfield Zoo Chicago has continued to grow as well. Together, we hosted three plastic bag crocheting workshops for middle school students through the King’s Learners Program. The zoo also welcomed our community during free admission days, helping make nature more accessible for local families. During the Glow Wild event, CMGT proudly showcased sustainable Eid decorations created from upcycled lanterns and origami, demonstrating how creativity and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on another year of growth, we are filled with gratitude for every partner, volunteer, sponsor, donor, member, and community participant who has believed in our mission.

Our annual kickoff is more than just a celebration—it is a reminder of what we can accomplish when our community comes together to care for both people and the planet.
Thank you for being part of our journey. We look forward to growing alongside you and celebrating even greater accomplishments at our 2027 Annual Kickoff.

With gratitude,
Dr. Layalee Beirat
CEO & President
Chicago Muslims Green Team

Trees Matter! Then Plant It

Posted on by CMGT in CMGT News, Inspiration, Interesting Read, News

By Ibrahim Ozdemir, Muslim Environmentalist, Philosopher, and CMGT Board Member

This morning, I attended a great breakfast hosted by the Chicago Region Tree Initiative at the South Shore Cultural Center. Our primary focus was caring for trees, as they are essential to both ecosystems and human life. We considered how trees clean out air, cool our cities, support biodiversity, and bring healing and beauty to our neighborhoods.

Dr. Christina Carmichael, founder and principal of Fair Forests Consulting, emphasized that we are entering a new era — one in which our care extends not only to humans but also to the trees in our neighborhoods. Every single tree matters.

The community-focused approach described in the shared questionnaire shows us that understanding a neighborhood today involves more than just demographic or social information — it requires listening to how resident perceive and value their natural environmental.

Questions like “What do you notice about the trees?”, “What concerns do you have?”, and “What would you like to see in the future?” show a growing awareness: trees are no longer background elements. They are active participants in our shared ecosystem.

As we discussed community engagement and environmental stewardship, I was reminded of a profound saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “If the Final Hour comes while you have a sapling in your hand, and you are able to plant it, then plant it.”

This compelling teaching captures the core of hope, responsibility, and action –regardless of how overwhelming the uncertainty may seem. It reminds us that caring for the Earth is not just an ecological duty but also a moral and spiritual act. Even when facing ultimate judgement, one must pursue good deeds, growth, and future benefits, showing that hope and responsibility endure until the very end.

Today’s gathering — bringing together young people who traveled long distances on a snowy morning — deepened my belief that caring for trees is, in essence, caring for life itself. Their commitment, warmth, and curiosity confirmed that when we nurture a tree, we nurture our communities, ecosystem, and the future generations who will inherit this Earth.

CMGT Board Members attend the CRTI’s Annual Partner Recognition Celebration (12/6) at the Chicago Cultural Center

As a Muslim environmentalist, I have many scientific works, literary reflections, and spiritual texts on trees. Over the years, I have even classified all the Qur’anic verses and Prophetic sayings related to trees, a testament to how deeply our tradition honors the living world. Among the many writings I cherish, one that continues to move me is an essay by German Nobel laureate Herman Hesse.

As my wife and I head to a breakfast organized by the Chicago Region Tree Initiative this morning, Hesse’s timeless words in “On Trees” return to me with depth and meaning:

“For me, trees have always been the most penetrating preachers. I revere them when they live in tribes and families, in forests and groves. And even more I revere them when they stand alone.
They are like lonely persons.
Not like hermits who have stolen away out of some weakness, but like great, solitary men, like Beethoven and Nietzsche. In their highest boughs the world rustles, their roots rest in infinity…
Nothing is holier, nothing is more exemplary than a beautiful, strong tree. When a tree is cut down and reveals its naked death-wound to the sun, one can read its whole history in the luminous, inscribed disk of its trunk: in the rings of its years, its scars, all the struggle, all the suffering, all the sickness, all the happiness and prosperity stand truly written, the narrow years and the luxurious years, the attacks withstood, the storms endured. And every young farm boy knows that the hardest and noblest wood has the narrowest rings, that high on the mountains and in continuing danger the most indestructible, the strongest, the ideal trees grow.
Trees are sanctuaries.
Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth…
So, the tree rustles in the evening, when we stand uneasy before our own childish thoughts: Trees have long thoughts, long-breathing and restful, just as they have longer lives than ours. But when we have learned how to listen to trees, then the brevity and the quickness and the childlike hastiness of our thoughts achieve an incomparable joy. Whoever has learned how to listen to trees no longer wants to be a tree. He wants to be nothing except what he is.
That is home.
That is happiness.“

Our our way home, I kept the flyer with me — determined to share its message with my neighbors. It felt more than a handout; it was a reminder that each of us has a role in caring for the trees, the land, and our community.

By passing it along, I hope to spark conversations, inspire small acts of care, and help cultivate a neighborhood where every tree and every person truly matters. And in doing so, I remind myself of the timeless wisdom in the Prophet’s saying: “If the Final Hour comes while you have a sapling in your hand, and you are able to plant it, then plant it.” A reminder that hope, stewardship, and responsibility start with even the tiniest act.

A Reflection on Justice Outside’s Unite and Ignite Conference

Posted on by Caroline Williams in Advocacy, CMGT News, Environmental Justice, Info, Inspiration, Public Transportation

The Chicago Muslims Green Team (CMGT) is a small and young nonprofit. This October, we will be a 5-year-old 501(c)(3) organization. We are humble and grateful to have been given the chance to attend Justice Outside’s Unite and Ignite Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from September 22 to 24.

CMGT was represented by CEO Dr. Layalee Beirat and me, Tree Equity Program Manager. It was our first time visiting Philadelphia, and we were happy to learn that there are many Muslims in the city. We made great connections with local Muslims at the conference.

On the first day, I explored the city’s public transportation while CEO Beirat attended the Exclusive Pre-Conference Gathering for Grantees Only. I usually judge a city I visited based on the quality of its public transportation. I do not drive and I travel everywhere by bus or train. For me, it’s the best way to experience a city like a local does. I was impressed with the options available and I was excited to try the SEPTA trolley lines (T), something we do not have in Chicago. It is the descendant of a pre-World War II streetcar system. 

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)

The conference took place at the historic Crystal Tea Room, located in the Wanamaker Building. It opened in 1911 and was designed to be a grand dining space featuring chandeliers and classic architecture. When I arrived, I felt a sense of luxury and a high class of sophistication, usually enjoyed by European aristocrats. I imagine that, in the past, as an immigrant and a person of color, I would not have been allowed to enter the room. But here I was, with other people like me, many of whom run community urban and rural farms, dealing with soil and dirt in outdoor setting and wearing different kind of clothes that match our personalities. We were there enjoying a good breakfast and getting to know each other. For me, this is a sign of progress.

The opening remarks by Ronda Chapman, Kim Bailey, and Michelle Barakat from Justice Outside, followed by with keynote speaker Daniel Hunter from Choose Democracy, were inspiring. We were reminded of the importance of being united in turning our anger into a positive force for change. A quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was displayed: ‘The supreme task is to organize and unite people so that their anger becomes a transforming force.’

In his speech titled “Noncooperation and Authoritarianism,” Daniel Hunter identified what authoritarians do. One of them is, ‘The Autocrat Won’t Leave.’ This is unfortunately true.

I have been thinking that the U.S. will be 250 years old next year and is still facing the threat of authoritarianism, with their mission to make white supremacism great again. Compare that to many countries that are less than 100 years old, which gained independence in the mid-1900s after centuries of opposing Western colonization and supremacism.

I came from Indonesia, a country that fought for freedom from three centuries of Western colonialism and gained independence in 1945. As a student in Indonesia, I experienced living under a dictatorship that was in power for almost three decades and was forced to resign after massive protests and political, social, and economic unrest throughout the country in the late ’90s. I have heard that authoritarianism is making a comeback there.

For me, the fight against authoritarianism is a long struggle that may never end in our very short lifetimes. But it defines who we are. Are we simply accepting injustice, or are we standing against it? 

One thing we must not forget in our struggle is to keep joy in our lives, as it is a form of resilience. I was happy to discover that joy was a theme shared at this conference. I could feel how everyone works with love and passion for their communities. I learned a lot from a session titled “Joy Is Strategy: Centering Black and Brown Communities Through Festivals, Culture, and Land-Based Healing.”

In this fun, interactive workshop led by Teria Powell from Building Bridges in Washington, D.C., we explored how culturally rooted festivals can be powerful tools for environmental justice, healing, and land connection, using case studies from Washington, D.C. During the workshop, we literally had to get up from our chairs, connect with another participant, and write a letter to our colleague about one thing we will do in the next 30 days to move our work forward. The letter will be sent to our addresses via snail mail, not electronic mail.

Another inspiring session I attended was titled “Beyond Representation: Challenging Exceptionalism in Outdoor Recreation Practices and Culture,” led by David Malana from Color the Water in L.A. and Hanan Robinson from the Build Love Advocacy Center in Arizona.

Hanan emphasized the importance of free access to outdoor activities for everyone, including gear that fits our body shapes. This reminded me of the barriers I used to have in my mind, such as thinking my legs were too short for rock or wall climbing. Additionally, at our recent wall climbing event in Chicago, two young Muslim girls demonstrated great climbing skills. Their parents told us that if we had not organized this event, they would not have come out.

David talked about bringing the joy of surfing to Black Lives Matter activists and reminded us that Indigenous Americans were experts in surfing, using gear made from natural materials. He also highlighted how surfing was part of social, cultural, and community activities, as seen in Hawaii, before being whitewashed by colonizers and transformed into a competitive sport dominated by Westerners.

I also attended an informative workshop titled “Represent Your Community: Environmental Commissions 101.” Speakers Jonathan Tyrrell and Karyn Bigelow from the Next 100 Coalition shared facts about environmental commissions that make decisions regarding millions to billions of dollars in local, state, and federal funding, directly impacting outdoor access, public health, and the local environment. However, community representation is often significantly lacking in these spaces.

In this session, we first learned how to identify the commissioners, and we were encouraged to attend their public meetings to represent our community. I fully support this initiative because, since 2018, I have been attending these public meetings. I also joined the City Bureau Documenters to receive training and get paid to write reports or live-tweet from the meetings. This is just one of many ways to contribute to our society, to represent and empower our communities.

Overall, the conference lived up to its title, “Unite and Ignite.” I felt fired up joining Assata’s Chant with our fists in the air:

It is our duty to fight for our freedom!
It is our duty to win!
We must love and support one another!
We have nothing to lose but our chains!

Chicago Muslims Green Team Explores Gut Health at Green Teacher Gathering

Posted on by CMGT in CMGT News, Green Idea, Info, Inspiration, Interesting Read

Author: Sara Siddiqui

The Chicago Muslims Green Team recently had the pleasure of attending the Green Teacher Gathering in Chicago—a vibrant event bringing together educators, gardeners, and sustainability advocates from across the city. Among the many inspiring sessions, one workshop stood out for its blend of science, culture, and hands-on learning: “Bacteria is my Gut’s BFF.”

Led by the dynamic and passionate Chef Sarai Blankenbaker or Chef BB, the workshop took us deep into the fascinating world of the gut microbiome. We explored how beneficial bacteria play a crucial role in digestion, immunity, and overall well-being, and how our gardens can be sources of healing and health.

Chef BB introduced us to an array of prebiotic and probiotic foods we can grow ourselves—like cabbage, carrots, and hot peppers—and demonstrated how to transform them into delicious, fermented creations.

We had the chance to taste homemade kombucha and sample vibrant fermented veggies made by Chef BB herself, learning about the unique flavors and health benefits of these traditional preparations. We left not only with new knowledge, but also with a kombucha recipe, step-by- step fermentation methods, and a deeper appreciation for how different cultures—including indigenous communities—have used fermentation as a sustainable, health-supporting practice for generations.

This workshop aligned beautifully with the Chicago Muslims Green Team’s vision of cultivating environmentally responsible, health-conscious communities rooted in Islamic values. It reinforced our commitment to connecting spiritual well-being with ecological stewardship, and highlighted how growing and preparing our own food can nourish both our bodies and our planet.

We’re excited to put this knowledge into practice and to continue creating spaces where learning, community, and sustainability come together.

Pictures from the Green Teacher Gathering at Academy for Global Citizenship on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

CMGT table at the Green Teacher Gathering.

My First Day of Ramadan at the Wild Things Conference

Posted on by Caroline Williams in Close to Nature, CMGT News, Conservation, Environmental Justice, Inspiration, Youth

On March 1, 2025, I attended the 29th Annual Wild Things Conference in Rosemont, IL. It is the the largest conservation gathering in the Midwest, regularly drawing nearly 2,000 of nature enthusiasts, hosted by the Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves.

Honestly, I was hesitant to attend it because it was also the first day of Ramadan. I usually have a headache on my first day of fasting, so I did not think I could survive and enjoy being in the crowd. Turned out, I was wrong. I had so much fun there meeting people and gaining new interesting knowledge.

The booklets from Wild Things Conference in 2019 and 2025.

Previously, I attended the 23rd Wild Things Conference in February 2019. At that time, I knew only a couple of people. This year, I saw so many familiar faces. The Chicago Muslims Green Team (CMGT) sent three members to the conference, myself as the Board President, CEO Layalee Beirat, and Outdoor Recreation Program Manager, Sara Siddique. I am grateful to receive a scholarship and travel reimbursement to attend the conference.

From the agenda, I saw many interesting topics related to my passion, Community Science. I attended the session, “Expanding and Democratizing Science Trough Teen-created Research Projects” presented by David Bild, Community Science Manager at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences.

David Bild presents Expanding and Democratizing Science Trough Teen-created Research Projects.

Bild presented an interesting summer STEM program for teens. It is a 6-week paid internship that engages 30 Chicago high school students in lab and field-based activities focused on urban ecology to develop their critical learning and skills.

This topic represents my idealism on science that everyone, including youths can have fun applying the scientific method to appreciate nature.

I first learned about Community Science in 2018 from Bild when I attended the Chicago Conservation Corps training at the Nature Museum. My educational background is Physics, so I am naturally interested in anything related to science.

My interest in Community Science grew as far as getting a scholarship to attend the 2019 Citizen Science Association’s Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. I became an Ambassador for the Citizen Science Asia and wrote a report, “The Importance of Regional Citizen Science Organizations“.

I also organized Citizen Science events for CMGT, the 2020 Introduction to Citizen Science Workshop at Nature Museum and the 2021 Community Building with Zooniverse Webinar with Adler Planetarium. I am still determined to spread awareness about Citizen Science or Community Science. I am glad to find out at the conference that the topic is still being discussed and keeps expanding.

The next Community Science session I attended was “Plants of Concern: Community Science Rare Plant Monitoring in Action” presented by the Chicago Botanic Garden. Whenever I explore the outdoor,

I love taking pictures of wild flowers because they represent beauty and resiliency in nature. It was awesome to learn about beautiful rare plants in Illinois and how community members can actively help scientists to find and collect data of these unique plants.

Grant Fessler presents Plants of Concern: Community Science Rare Plant Monitoring in Action.

Another interesting topic is “Systemic Racism and Urban Ecology: Application in Community Science” presented by Illinois Master Naturalists. The presenters showed how Community Science was applied as a tool to demonstrate concrete examples of systemic and environmental racism in our urban ecology.

This topic clearly aligns with the mission of the Chicago Muslims Green Team (CMGT) to increase awareness about Environmental Justice issues in our community. In the past, Joy Bailey, one of the Illinois Master Naturalists connected CMGT to the Friends of the Chicago River and helped us to participate in the 2023 Chicago River Day at Kickapoo Woods.

Joy Bailey presents Systemic Racism and Urban Ecology: Application in Community Science.

The next session I attended was, “Making River Restoration Work for Migratory Birds” presented by Chicago Bird Alliance. It was not related to Community Science, but I learned about the result of research and data collected on migratory birds to support the river bank restoration for their natural habitat.

Additionally, from one of the presenters, Raed Mansour, I learned about how community members had fun participating in the restoration activities and enjoyed watching the wild life in areas located not far from where I live. Now I can not wait for Spring to be able to ride my bike and observe nature in those areas.

Raed Mansour presents Making River Restoration Work for Migratory Birds.

Mansour who formerly worked at the Chicago Department of Public Health and now working for the Metropolitan Planning Council connected the CMGT to Our Roots Chicago program and the Tree Equity Working Group in Chicago and beyond. This is why, the next session we attended was the “Community Roots: Bottom-up Approaches to Tree Stewardship and Advocacy” presented by the Chicago Region Tree Initiative (CRTI) Morton arboretum.

The CRTI crews, Paul Gordon, Varak Bosnoian, and Sam Works presented how community engagement comes in different forms for CRTI. They take a bottom-up approach, apply adaptive and creative ways of collaboration for Stewardship and Tree Ambassador Programs. In 2024, they worked with 40 community organizations including CMGT to get over 2,800 trees planted in the Chicago priority neighborhoods.

I can say that CMGT gains significant benefits, including financial and recognition of our hard work from becoming one of CRTI’s partner organizations.

Sam Works presents Community Roots: Bottom-up Approaches to Tree Stewardship and Advocacy. CMGT logo was displayed on the slide.

In these pictures: Caroline, Sara, Layalee from CMGT, Melinda, Sam, Paul, from CRTI, Claudia from Women from Green Spaces, Raed from Metropolitan Planning Council, and Krystyna from Shedd Aquarium.

At the end of the conference, I checked out, “The Effect of Military Activity on Wadi Gaza” a poster presented by Laura Shihadah, a graduate student from University of Illinois in collaboration with Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability.

The poster emphasizes the geographical significance of Wadi Gaza as one of the most importance coastal wetlands in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is an area rich in biodiversity and a stopover for many migrating birds from Africa and Eurasia. Using remote sensing, Shihadah was able to do analysis and assess the environmental degradation due to recent conflicts and natural disaster without ground surveys. The result of the study which was done from May 2023 to 2024 shows increasing bare ground and decreasing vegetation. Future research is suggested to analyze the area for a longer time period to gain better understanding of the trends in vegetation biomass.

The Effect of Military Activity on Wadi Gaza poster presentation by Laura Shihadah.

On the first day of Ramadan this year, Alhamdulillah, I feel grateful to gain new and interesting knowledge from the presenters. I also appreciate the “Quiet Room” provided at the conference. I was able to take a break and pray silently there.

It feels amazing to be part of a big network of nature lovers in the Chicago region. In the future, CMGT may be able to present a poster or a speech at the conference to share experience in engaging our community to outdoor activities in order to strengthen our health, mentally and physically.