This month we dedicate this column to Jawad El Amrani as a big thanks for all his contributions to Groene Moslims. Jawad has been part of the Groene Moslims board as a treasurer for the last 5 years. He was there when Groene Moslims was taking its baby steps to exist up until now where we have regular activities with a larger community taking place. With the sunnah of “the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little”, he has benefited both himself and the organisation.  Jawad, thank you for every deed that you have done. We pray that Allah accepts them from you and wish all the best for your future endeavours!

How do you reflect back on your time as a board member at Groene Moslims?

A friend of mine invited me to one of the Groene Moslims walks. At the time, I wasn’t very aware of a sustainable lifestyle but after joining the walk I got inspired. With my commercial approach I was only busy with finance related subjects and general development of life skills. However, I learned a lot and developed a lot by this new way of thinking. Sustainability has such a great impact on the future and the fact that this was found in the core of our Deen was quite astonishing to me, that this has always been so present. 

Next to that, my own skills came in handy for Groene Moslims as well and I felt that my responsibility was appreciated and respected. All skills we had in our board were complementing each other as well. With the new board we had a new start since last year. We worked on more activities, we gained more followers and subscribers. Being part of these achievements gives me a great feeling of thankfulness. 

What did Groene Moslims add to your personal life? 

I got inspired by people how driven they can be in sustainability. It’s such an important part of their lives and I wasn’t aware people would make this such a cornerstone of their daily habits as well. What I learned is that we need to impact the majority of people to turn the tide for a sustainable future. Sustainability also has a great part in Islam but I didn’t know it was such a big topic so I’m still learning more and more about this. Taking small but consistent steps on a daily basis is what we need to develop green habits. 

Do you have any advice for the readers?

First be aware of your own footprint and then reduce it step by step. Never give up and underestimate your impact on little things. Doing little acts consistently has a greater impact than doing great things only once or a short period of time. 

Think about being part of a collective and don’t think you are doing this only by yourself. Also by joining Groene Moslims you are not only doing good for yourself but you are also helping the community. Doing good for yourself is treating Allah’s creation responsibly and you get blessings for that. Helping the community is through taking up roles that add to the collective thinking that will help us leave a bright future for the new generations to come. 

Is there any specific hadith or ayat that motivates you to stay green and sustainable in your daily life?

“Thus We have made you trustees (khulafaa) on the earth after them, to see how you would act.” (Qur’an 10:14).

This specific ayat in Surah Yunus shows us that we are obligated to treat earth well. With the task of stewardship, Allah both honours and tests us. If we are allowed to make use of nature on the one hand, then on the other hand we are responsible for the balanced and sustainable use of it. For nothing is in our possession; rather, we rule over the entrusted property that Allah has placed at his disposal.