April 26, 2012
Just a few days after Earth Day, for the second time in 6 months, Baruch College’s Muslim Students Association and Women in Islam held a special 90-minute Going Green event to explore ideas that all students can adopt to become more environmentally aware and active. Unlike the earlier Muslim event in December, this was an interfaith gathering that included students from Baruch’s Hillel Association who shared Jewish perspectives on healing the earth.
Student leader Rezwan Chowdhury moderated the session that included guest speakers Chaplain Sheikh Samer Alraey, Ermin Siljkovic, Manhattan Recycling Outreach Coordinator for the Office of Recycling Outreach and Education, GrowNYC -- and Marty Ostrow, co-producer/director of RENEWAL.
Chaplain Alraey encouraged everyone to be more conscious of healthy, ethical ways of living – in more sustainable directions. In the Qur’an, he reminded everyone, God says humans are responsible not only for protecting themselves but for taking care of the natural elements. In the ritual of washing, for example, enormous emphasis is placed on not wasting water. It is our obligation to take care of the earth.
Portions of the Muslim (Food for Faith) and Jewish (Ancient Roots) stories from RENEWAL were screened and Ermin Silkjovic once again presented an entertaining and educational interactive demonstration about recycling as it's being carried out in NYC and on the Baruch campus.
The overall message of the day: "Muslim faith – and all faiths can be translated into action for the environment -- for a greener, more sustainable future."
Following the event, Chaplain Alraey and a smaller group of students launched a commitment for new campus-wide environmental actions that would occur during the Fall semester.
The inspiring events at Baruch can become a powerful model for Muslim student groups across America -- as well as for all student religious groups around the nation.
Here is an excerpt from Rezwan Chowdury who provides personal feedback about the two events:
…The first visit last year was a success in that it provided an insight into the concept of integrating faith and environmental protection. I, for one, was not aware they were compatible. The understanding the first event instilled among the students inspired a vision towards a greener future. The second event set a tone for action. We invited other religious clubs in the school to not only extend the awareness, but also to motivate a plan for action. The green movement is long overdue, but the advice and support Martin and Ermin provided through the two events was encouraging and thought-provoking. The MSA at Baruch College partnered with the other faith based clubs look to move forward and initiate plans to create a greener Baruch.
Once again, I sincerely thank Martin and Ermin for coming to Baruch and helping students share their vision for a more sustainable campus, community, nation, and world at large.
Rezwan Chowdhury