Sustainability in Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan is a 29/30 day period marked by spiritual reflection and acts of devotion, where Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Fasting means abstaining from food, drink, and other physical necessities during daylight hours, with meals eaten before sunrise (suhoor) and after sunset (iftar). The holiday relates to the Quran's revelation to the Prophet Muhammad and promotes empathy for those in need. During Ramadan, many mosques and Islamic centers host iftars gatherings frequently. However, despite the admirable intentions behind these celebrations, a considerable amount of the resources set up for iftars are frequently wasted. Food waste, as well as the costs connected with cleaning and maintaining mosques following such celebrations, provide sustainability concerns. Mosques should try to embrace eco-friendly measures not only during Ramadan, but throughout the year, in order to lessen their environmental imprint and promote environmentally conscious behavior.

For example, at a local mosque in Austin, Texas, sponsoring one iftar can cost more than $10,000 and feed around 1200 people.

Despite the huge expenditure, a large amount of food is abandoned each night, contributing to food waste.

On average, 30 to 40 65-gallon garbage bags contain leftover food and utensils, necessitating additional waste management expenses.

Furthermore, paying outdoor ($100 per night) and indoor cleaning personnel (annual contract) to maintain cleanliness increases both financial and environmental costs. 

If we multiply the cost of cleaning with the number of iftars per Ramadan, we get $1,611.48 and 480 trash bags used by the end of the month. Organic food waste decomposes, producing methane as a result, a powerful greenhouse gas with substantially more heat-trapping potential than carbon dioxide over shorter time periods. When organic waste is disposed of in landfills without sufficient methane collection systems, the methane produced during decomposition can contribute to air pollution, worsen climate change, and produce health risks to local communities. Additionally, single-use plastic utensils require a hefty amount of resources to produce and dispose of. While the amount of trash generated per night by a single entity, like as a mosque, may appear insignificant on its own, the cumulative impact of organic waste from various sources over a period of time can result in significant environmental damage, including air pollution.

While it may be difficult to consider eco-friendly solutions when it comes to food waste, here are some ways we can save money and reduce our impact in our communities. 

1. Eliminate the use of Styrofoam products.

Typically, Styrofoam products are used for plates and cups. Instead, offer biodegradable utensils, such as paper plates/cups. 

1. Adopt reusable bottles

Encourage the use of water bottles by offering water fountains instead of plastic cups.

1. Reduce food waste

Raising awareness about food waste/overconsumption can help to inform people about the environmental impact they are contributing to. Additionally, efficient meal planning can reduce food waste by properly estimating the meal portions.

1. Reduce and recycle!

By providing recycling bins in strategic locations where people have easy access to them, communities will be encouraged to recycle more.

1. Raise awareness

Raising awareness can come in many forms, such as educational campaigns, Earth Day events (coming up soon, on April 22nd!), and continuous monitoring to assess the effectiveness of eco-friendly initiatives can help reduce a community’s collective impact.

As Muslims, we have a moral obligation to take care of the earth which is currently threatened by “climate change and environmental degradation.” (Zarzour) Allah (swt) tells us:

“He is the one who made you khalifahs (vicegerents, stewards, guardians) of the earth” (6:165).

It is our responsibility, as both humans and Muslims, to build sustainable habits in both our individual and local communities through collective efforts in reducing Styrofoam and plastic usage, reducing food waste, and raising awareness about methane pollution. 

Ali. “Sustainable Iftar: Eco-Friendly Practices for Ramadan.” Embrace Relief Foundation, 6 Mar. 2024, www.embracerelief.org/sustainable-iftar-eco-friendly-practices-for-ramadan/#:~:text=Sustainable%20Iftar%20practices%20offer%20a. Accessed 12 Apr. 2024.

Zarzour, Safaa. “Green Ramadan.” Islamic Society of North America, 18 Apr. 2017, isna.net/greenramadan/.