module

Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA3046: Islam, Muslims and the Environment

This module descriptor refers to the 2022/3 academic year.

Overview

The majority of Muslims live in regions of the planet that are especially vulnerable to the most severe impacts of the current ecological and climate crisis. Partly in response to this, a variety of Muslim environmental discourses and initiatives have emerged, often drawing from Islam as a shared framework. Covering a wide range of topics and drawing on multiple disciplines (ranging from Islamic studies to the natural, social and political sciences), this pioneering module explores in a holistic way key relationships between Islam, Muslims and the environment, with a focus on ongoing Muslim ‘greening processes’. Reflecting its multidisciplinarity, the module: (i) examines how the current emergency is impacting natural and human systems across the Muslim world; (ii) discusses theoretical and methodological issues related to this multidisciplinary field; (iii) explores key environmental notions and principles from the Islamic tradition; (iv) surveys Muslims’ ecological attitudes and activities, at individual, institutional and policy levels.