-
As Muslims, constituting 20% of the World's population, we must
examine these issues carefully because future events in Islamic
nations have the potential to create an environmental impact of
major magnitude. Most Islamic nations are developing and must
expand economically in order to meet basic needs. Should this
expansion pass through the same evolutionary cycle as prior industrial
development, the environmental impacts cou Id be d isastrous.
Consequently, Islam ic nations must seek modal ities which will
enable them to "leapfrog" ahead to environmentally less
damaging forms of economic expansion.
-
The Islamic World's phenomenal economic expansion has created
a need for increasingly sophisticated environmental pol icy as
development continually poses new questions for exam ination.
Islam offers great advantage for environmental conservation, protection
and sustainable development in that it is a source for law that
is consistent with cultural values of Islamic Society and can
be imported with ease into environmental policy that is both effective
and implementable.
In seeking culturally appropriate modalities,
the principles of Islam are providing gu idance for environmental
managers; since Islam represents more than a belief system, it
is a way oflife and a well defined set ofvalues providing specific
guidance for virtually every aspect of life. Islam offers a font
of inspiration which can be translated into policies for development,
for regulation and law, for influencing public attitudes, and
for achieving a sustainable relationship between mankind and the
natural world provided by his Creator.
- As
the agency with responsibility for environmental management in
Saudi Arabia, MEPA is involved in the establishment of national
environmental policy. Since the agency operates within the cradle
of Islam, it is imperative that such policy reflects the values
and tenents of our beliefs. It was with this intention that we
first began, in association with the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature, the original research that led to the
first edition of Islamic Principles For Conservation of the Natural
Environment.
The first edition was extremely successful
in addressing this need. Over 85,000 copies were distributed,
reaching and "influencing" people throughout the world.
It has continually served as important source material for connecting
Islam with environmental conservation at educational and practicing
levels.
- Thus,
in the second edition of Islamic Principles For Conservation of
the Natural Environment research was expanded in order to address
situations which were not present before. It is presented here
in the hopes that it may offer further guidance and inspiration
to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike as they seek solutions to
the challenges of environmental conservation.
As with the prior edition, many individuals
have contributed to this effort in offering suggestion, inspiration
and guidance. In addition to the excellent theological research
of the authors, Othman Llewellyn provided major contributions
in terms ofboth content and editorial care. Wolfgang Burhenne,
Legal Advisor of IUCN, as with the first edition, has been constant
in his support and encouragement. A number of additional contributions
are mentioned in the acknowledgements section that follows.
It is my belief that the authors of this
edition have provided a valuable framework, connecting Islam with
that most complex of sciences and providing environmental managers
with an important context for reflecting upon the complexity of
their obligation and meeting their responsibilities to future
generations.
May Allah guide us to the right aim.
Abdulbar
AI-Gain
President,
MEP A
Saudi
Arabia
1993
AD / 1413 H
-
Acknowledgements
to the Second Edition
We wish to extend our deepest appreciattion and thanks to all
of our colleagues who took part in the production of theis expanded
edition of our Basic Paper on Islamic Priniciples for the Conservation
of the Natural Environment. In particular, we should like
to mention Dr. Abdulbar Al-Gain, President of MEPA, Mr. Abdul
Wahab M. Dakkak, Director General of Natural Resources, MEPA,
Dr. Ali M. Dakkak, King Abdulaziz University, and Dr. Wolfgang
Burhenne, who once again has contributed his well-known specialized
expertise.
We thank Mr. Othman Llewellyn for his care
in expanding and revising this edition, and expressour appreciation
of the kindness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's National Commission
for Wildlife Conservation and Development and its Secretary
General, Dr. Abdulaziz H. Abuzinada in authorizing Mr. Llewellyn
to collaborate on this work.
We wish to also express our gratitude to those who contributed
to the improvement of this publication in particular Dr. Anas
M. Al Zarqa (King Abudlaziz University, Jeddah), Mr. Ali Al
Sammany (National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development),
Mr. Abdullah Ba-Dhorise and Mr. Naif Shalhoub (MEPA).
Finally, we thank Dr. Mawil Izzi-Deen Samarrai for undertaking
on our behalf the task of reviewing and supervising all the
changes and additions that were made.
May God grant all of us success in our striving toward the truth
-- it is for Him that we make our endeavour.
The Author
1993 AD/ 1413 H
In
the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Environmental
Protection in Islam
-
An
Islamic study prepared by:
Dr. Bagader, Abubakr Ahmed, born
in Makkah, Saudi Arabia (Professor of sociology, Faculty of
Arts and Humanities, King AbdulazizUniversity, Jeddah).
-
Dr. EI-Sabbagh, Abdullatif Tawfik EI-Chirazi, born in Hamah,
Syria (Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty
of Arts and
Humanities, King Abdulaziz University,
Jeddah).
-
Dr. AI-Glayand, Mohamad As-Sayyid, born in Manshiyyat al-Umara',
Egypt Professor ofIslamics, Dar AI-Uluum, University ofCairo,
Egypt).
-
Dr. Samarrai, Mawil YousufIzzi-Deen, born in Ba'qubah, Iraq
(Professor of Islamics, Cardiff, U.K.).
- The
original Arabic version was translated into English by:
- Abdul
Rahman, Karam Mohsen (Senior Language Instructor, Department ofMass
Communication, Faculty of Arts, KIng Abdulazlz University, Jeddah).
- Second
Edition prepared by the original authors in collaboration with:
Othman Abd-ar-Rahman Llewellyn, born in Colorado Springs,
USA (Envlronmental Planner, National Commission for Wildlife Conservation
and Development,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).
|
