After Much Success, Council of Islamic Organizations Launches Second Annual Green Ramadan in Chicago
Last Modified:
Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:47:47 GMT
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
After Much Success, Council of Islamic Organizations Launches Second Annual Green Ramadan in Chicago
Media Contact:
Kiran Ansari
Communications Director
CIOGC
crescent@ciogc.org
Tel: 630-544-9377
The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago is gearing up for the second annual "Green Ramadan" campaign that encourages Muslims to shrink their ecological footprint along with abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours in the month of Ramadan.
In 2009, the Council introduced this popular campaign that garnered local and national media attention and was also highlighted in President Obama's "United We Serve" campaign. This green initiative was also noticed by the State of Illinois where Senator Mattie Hunter introduced Resolution SR0785 designating the month of Ramadan as a green month for all faith groups which was passed earlier this year.
“As Americans, our average ecological footprint is five to ten times that of a person living in the developing world. We use fasting in Ramadan to cap our eating, our drinking and our impulses, so why do we not use it to protect our planet?" said Dr. Zaher Sahloul, chairperson of the Council. "Muslims believe that man is the custodian of the earth and that we are all accountable to our Lord on the Day of Judgment for what we have done during our lifetime and the legacy they we leave after our death."
Last year, several member organizations of the Council formed Green Committees, encouraged recycling, carpooling, switching bulbs, considering solar panels and using e-fliers and LCD screens instead of using excessive amounts of paper to publicize events.
“This year, the Council has prepared a "Green Ramadan Resource Pack" for all its 63 member organizations which includes presentations and tips on how to recycle appliances, use earth-friendly paper products and much more," said Mohamad Nasir, executive director. "The Council is hoping for more member organizations to sign the "Green Pledge" in Ramadan 2010 and adopt these practices permanently."
“Our lives are becoming full of excesses and indulgences. We actually celebrate overspending, overeating and over-everything. Terms like "supersize it", "shop until you drop" and "party like there is no tomorrow" are becoming our mottos," said Dr. Sahloul. "Excesses often lead to imbalances such as obesity, alcoholism, broken families, gambling and foreclosure."
For more information or to request a "Green Ramadan Resource Pack" for your organization, please visit www.ciogc.org
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