Green Deen

January 31, 2011
"How we manage waste, watts, water, and food should reinforce the moral foundations of our communities...ensure economic and social justice the freedom to transform our pollution-based ‘gray' economy to one that...is sustainable and ‘green.'" Environmental policy consultant and youth organizer Abdul-Matin shares his love of the Earth, which he describes as a mosque, in his first book, a guide to environmentalism that speaks to Muslims in their own terms. Defining a Deen as a path, the author clearly demonstrates how environmentalism fits into the goals and ethics of Islam. Abdul-Matin seamlessly intertwines personal experiences with religious doctrine and environmental information. The author focuses on several facets of human impact—waste, energy, water, and food—and includes discussions of green jobs, political systems, and greenwashing. Though topics will not be new to those who have read secular books about green or simple living, Muslims will appreciate Abdul-Matin's clarity in relating steps to Islam, often providing quotes from the Qur'an (though tips will apply equally to non-Muslims). Less a lecture than an invitation to introspection, Green Deen is a welcome hybrid, providing a glimpse into conservation through the lens of religion.