The Islamic Society of North America has announced an ambitious commitment to combat climate change.

Catovic: “The responsibility to safeguard human life, to safeguard families, to safeguard the possibility of future generations having resources are among the requirements of the religion of Islam.”

That’s Saffet Catovic, board member of the Society’s Green Mosque Taskforce. He says it’s clear that burning fossil fuels causes harm to humans and the earth and that Muslims have a responsibility to act.

That’s why, late last year, the organization announced its commitment to sell off all its investments in coal, oil, and natural gas companies within three years. It’s a strategy called divestment.

They’re not alone. Over 300 faith leaders from around the world have signed a statement supporting divestment.

Catovic says there’s a religious imperative to take this step and he hopes other groups will follow their example.

Catovic: “Turning away from fossil fuel investments is not a matter that is ultimately up for discussion if we’re talking about the well-being and health of human civilization and the health of the overall environment.”

Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy/ChavoBart Digital Media.
Image graphic: Created by David McCarthy. Islamic Society of North America logo used with permission.