A new 'Muslim sibling' document to 'Laudato Si' '

Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change

March 1, 2024

A group of leading Islamic scholars created "Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth" to apply Islamic teachings, values and principles to environmental challenges, like climate change and biodiversity loss, facing the planet today. (Flickr/UNEP/Kiara Worth)

Since the publication of Pope Francis' landmark encyclical Laudato Si' in 2015, there have been several documents released within Catholic teaching that have been referred to as follow-ups or companions to it, including the apostolic exhortation Querida Amazonia in 2020, the encyclical Fratelli Tutti in 2020 and most recently and most directly, the apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum in 2023.

Something we hadn't yet seen was another major world religion releasing a text similar to Laudato Si' — until this week.

On Tuesday during the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, 12 Islamic scholars issued "Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth," a compendium of Islamic teaching on humanity's role as stewards of creation that applies that teaching to environmental issues — like climate change and biodiversity loss — facing the world today. The effort was led by the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, endorsed by the Muslim Council of Elders and facilitated by the U.N. Environment Programme's Faith for Earth Coalition.

Within "Al-Mizan," the authors called Islamic nations and corporations to join others "to transition swiftly from fossil fuels," encouraged all Muslims to take a leading role in resolving the world's environmental challenges, and likened "ecocide" — the destruction of ecosystems and species — to crimes against humanity.

NCR environment correspondent Brian Roewe reported that the text, with a title that means "balance" in Arabic, is being called a "Muslim sibling" to Laudato Si'.

"The gravity of the looming environmental crisis threatens to eclipse all other crises in human history," the authors wrote. "Its effects make no distinction between race, religion, culture, or the lines we draw on maps. It should remind us that we are irrevocably connected with the Lord of all in the natural world."

Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, the Holy See permanent observer to UNEP, said during the introductory event that "Al-Mizan" "resonates in many ways the teachings of Laudato Si' " and invited people "to read them in tandem, as they raise together a harmonious song of praise to God who is the creator of the universe."

Together, the two environmental documents speak to roughly half the world population who identify as followers of Christianity or Islam, reported Roewe.

What else is new on EarthBeat:

US church failing on pope's climate goals, bishops say at private conference

by Christopher White

Eighty bishops, theologians and other Catholic leaders gathered Feb. 22-23 to reckon with what was described as the failure of the U.S. church to implement the pope's environmental teachings.

At Catholic Youth Climate Summit, cardinal recognizes importance of student leadership

by Stephanie Clary

During the Catholic Youth Climate Summit Feb. 25 in Chicago, Cardinal Blase Cupich told about 100 high schoolers that young people hold a credibility that older generations lack due to how they have treated the planet.

How peeling a pomegranate led me to the Passion of Christ

by Desiré Findlay

In Botticelli's painting, Jesus as an infant holds up for us the promise of a forthcoming sweetness in the symbol of the pomegranate. Will we receive it, or will we look away?

What's happening in other climate news:

Church leaders in Philippines call for protected status of the 'Amazon of Oceans' —Thaddeus Jones for Vatican News

Microplastics found in every human placenta tested in study —Damian Carrington for The Guardian

Wild weather threatens much of U.S. with snow, tornadoes, heat and fires —Rebecca Falconer for Axios

Why climate change makes wildfires worse —CNN

Israel's campaign in Gaza is fueling demands to make 'ecocide' an international crime —Lylla Younes for Grist

Final Beat:

If you're looking for some simple, meat-free meals during this Lenten season, revisit EarthBeat's 2022 series "Recipes for an eco-friendly Lent" by Catholic and plant-based recipe developer Elizabeth Varga.

Dietary dependence on animal agriculture is one of the leading contributors of climate change and environmental degradation. By abstaining from animal products like meat and dairy in our meals, we not only participate in the obligatory Lenten Friday fast, but also care for communities most affected by ecological harm and help to heal the earth that we all call home.

Thanks for reading EarthBeat!

Stephanie Clary
Environment Editor
National Catholic Reporter
sclary@ncronline.org
Instagram: @stephanieclaryncr