Every fit and able Muslim is obliged to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime. But with the rising threat of climate change, there are now calls for both pilgrims and Saudi authorities to reduce the environmental damage wrought by yearly influx of pilgrims ( Hujaj-i-Karam). As Muslims across the world prepare for, once in a lifetime travel to Mecca to fulfil their religious obligation, it is time to ponder upon its impact on our planet Earth. As According to the Quran, ‘humans are entrusted to be the maintainers of the earth and the only species able to burden this responsibility’. If there is any place on the planet to which Muslims should offer this protection, surely it should be their holiest sites of Mecca and Medina.
We are aware that with the rapid growth in Muslim populations, the advent of aviation and relative prosperity, an increasing number of Muslims are performing Hajj. Last year over three million people performed it and the number of pilgrims are only going to increase with time as the facilities at Mecca are improved. An advance research suggests that 2.3 tonne of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere per each Haji for performing Haj. This is based on 43.13 Passenger miles flown per gallon of jet fuel and on an estimate that on the average the Haji travels 4000 miles. Typically 23.88 pounds of carbon dioxide are produced per gallon of jet fuel use. In reality many Hajis travel a lot more than 4000 miles and the impact of air travel is not only carbon dioxide. Emissions from aircraft are responsible for other atmospheric chemical processes that also have atmospheric warming consequences. Aviation emissions are therefore more significant contributors to climate change, than an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide emitted at ground level. Combustion of fuel in aeroplane engines results in emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides as well as water vapour. We must not forget that planet earth still loses a few percentile of ozone each year, and the increased thinning means the earth is losing its protective layer. Thus say our Lord in Sura al-anbiya verse 32
“And We made the sky a protected ceiling (canopy), but they, from its signs, are turning away.”
We must not forget that all the waste from food, all the fumes from coaches traveling around the holy cities, all the energy used for powering local hotels, has a significant environmental impact. Allah SWT has commanded us in Surat al-Baqra verse 60:
“Eat and drink from the provision of Allah, and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.”
Plastic packaging seems to ‘grow on trees’ in the Hejaz during Haj. Valiant efforts at waste management are made harder, not necessarily by the volume of pilgrims, but by the widespread attitudes of carelessness and extravagance. When one considers Islam’s emphasis on cleanliness, moderation and simplicity, heightened during Hajj, it is even more difficult to understand this attitude.
The Holy Qur’an contains lots of horticultural and environmental information which science has reaffirmed. Quranic plants are mentioned in detail with the medicinal properties of herbs being highlighted. Allah speaks about His creative design and the nutrition available from natural produce as an encouragement to be green and environment friendly. Allah mentions in Verse 99 of Sura ‘Al-Anam’
“And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees – of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] its ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.”
After Muslims established themselves in Madinah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) surveyed the natural resources in the region—the wadis (riverbeds); the rich, black volcanic soil; the high rangelands and decreed that they be preserved and set aside as a hima (Protected land). Hadiths on agriculture and environmental philosophy were compiled in Sahih Bukhari, which included the following saying:
“There is none amongst the believers who plants a tree, or sows a seed, and then a bird, or a person, or an animal eats thereof, but it is regarded as having given a charitable gift for which there is great recompense”
These principal of protecting the environment were practiced by the Prophet of Allah and his beloved companions. One very important example concerning the environment protection is the instruction by Hazarat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA), the first Caliph of Islam to his armies. In addition to telling them not to harm women, children and the infirm, he ordered them not to harm animals, destroy crops or cut down trees. There were two elements present in this decree: the first, to establish justice even as the Muslim armies fought, and the second, to recognize the value of nature. It should also be noted that the environment was not an issue or subject for separate treatment in life as it flowed onwards in both war and peace. The human condition was never separated from the natural order.
For the government of Saudi Arabia, catering for the needs of millions of pilgrims is undoubtedly a difficult task. Efforts to meet and improve pilgrims’ health and safety, transport and accommodation continue unabated. This includes the Masha’el light rail system which transports pilgrims between the rituals’ sites, a major project that was finished in 2012. Government of Saudi-Arabia has also imposed a time restriction before which Muslims are not allowed to repeat the pilgrimage. It is also heartening to note that the proposals of the seven year action plan on climate change, which culminated in the Istanbul Declaration and the establishment of MACCA (Muslim Association for Climate Change Action) in July 2009, creating a green Hajj was identified as a priority area.
Each year, around 100m plastic bottles are left on the Hajj sites. We should aim to have a Hajj free of plastic bottles and introduce environmentally friendly initiatives over the next 5-10 years to transform the Hajj into a recognised environmentally friendly pilgrimage. A media campaign to a new green Hajj would be needed. Given that 60 percent of the Muslim world lives in poverty, Haj must charter ecological action that will benefit the poor. It is important to engage young people as they are our future. We should work towards printing the Qur’an on paper that comes from sustainable wood supplies, and we must evaluate our places of our prayers and their energy use. Creating a Green Hajj should be given a priority.
The packaging of food consumed by three million pilgrims is carelessly discarded. This has to change. Pilgrims should be made aware that the action of not using plastic will better their pilgrimage, and help them enter the true spirit of Hajj. There is a close correlation between what is halal and what is environmentally friendly. Islam is an environmentally sound religion, and embedded within Islamic instructions are guidelines to live a life of stewardship. For instance, we must not waste water doing wudu. Fasting, zakat and all such rituals are environmentally sound. From recycling water bottles and disposing of waste responsibly to travelling to Hajj by boat or bus, there is both opportunity and imperative.
