11 December 2024

The East London Mosque (ELM), in partnership with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH), hosted the Faith in Environment Summit 2024 at the London Muslim Centre, bringing together over 200 community members, faith leaders, and local government representatives. The event focused on urgent environmental challenges, including climate action, waste reduction, and recycling in Tower Hamlets.

Hosted by Sufia Alam, Head of Programmes and Services at ELM, the summit facilitated critical discussions on environmental sustainability, highlighting how faith-based institutions and local government can drive meaningful change through influencing behavioural changes through religious messaging and education.  

“Faith communities have a crucial role in fostering sustainability and environmental responsibility,” said ELM CEO Junaid Ahmed during his opening address. “Our partnership with Tower Hamlets Council reflects a shared commitment to tackling the climate emergency through community-driven action rooted in Islamic teachings.”

Mayor Lutfur Rahman underscored the Council’s climate action efforts, highlighting a £10 million investment in home insulation aimed at improving energy efficiency. He also announced plans to introduce electric waste collection vehicles, which will significantly reduce Tower Hamlets’ carbon footprint. “Working with faith institutions amplifies our ability to engage residents and create a greener, more resilient borough,” he stated.

Council leaders, including David Joyce (Corporate Director of Housing), Abdul Khan (Head of Energy and Sustainability), and Fiona Heyland (Environment Services Manager), presented the Council’s Climate Action Plan, which includes decarbonising council buildings, expanding recycling services, and improving community engagement.

Martin Cottingham from Zamzam International UK delivered a powerful talk on the devastating effects of climate change on vulnerable communities, particularly in Somalia and Bangladesh. His presentation emphasised the need for urgent, collective action to reduce emissions globally while supporting those most at risk. 

ELM’s Head Imam, Shaykh Abdul Qayum, spoke about the religious imperative of environmental stewardship. “Islamic teachings call for balance and justice in how we treat the planet. Caring for the environment is not only an ethical obligation – it’s a spiritual duty,” he explained to attendees.

Nadiyah Hazari, ELM’s Faith in Environment Project Officer, highlighted the project’s initiatives, including faith-inspired Friday sermons, school workshops, and recycling campaigns. “Our work transforms environmental awareness into action, rooted in both faith and responsibility,” she explained.

Reflecting on the summit, Sufia Alam noted: “The Faith in Environment project shows the power of partnership between faith institutions and local authorities. Together, we are turning awareness into action, equipping our community to combat the climate crisis while embracing sustainability as a shared responsibility.”

With over 32,000 weekly visitors, the East London Mosque is at the forefront of community efforts to address environmental and recycling challenges in the borough, having successfully led  campaigns this year that is helping to increase local recycling rates through sermons, community engagement workshops and working with community leaders, which has helped reach thousands of residents. Through its Faith in Environment initiative, ELM continues to integrate Islamic values with practical environmental action, empowering the community to reduce waste, embrace recycling, and create a greener Tower Hamlets for future generations.