On On January 26, 2020, Chicago Muslims Green Team (CMGT) held its first Green Team Training at the Downtown Islamic Center (DIC) at 231 South State Street.
The purpose of the event was to formally introduce the Green Team concept to regular DIC mosque attendees and members of the Chicagoland ummah.
CMGT is working to support Green Teams at DIC and other mosques around the Chicagoland area in an effort to raise awareness about environmentally friendly living, eco-social justice issues and help mosque attendees become leaders in the movement to build a more ecologically friendly city.
A total of 18 participants attended the event. The main agenda was a 45 minute presentation by Isioma Odom, Energy and Climate Change Coordinator for Faith in Place. During the half-hour working lunch session, three small groups brainstormed ideas for green programming at the mosque.
A top priority was to host a “Zero Waste” Green Ramadan iftars. Other ideas included a Zero Waste program, water conservation, energy audit, nature outings, green khutbahs, environmental education for children, eco-programming for families, and a Faithful Citizen Advocacy workshop.
Thanks to the Chicago Conservation Corps at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum for providing compostable wood utensils, food and drink containers. Thanks to our partner Baba Pita for providing healthy fresh Middle Eastern food for our event. After the event, we composted and recycled total 4.5 lbs of waste.
Click HERE to download the post-event report.