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Green Corner
by Uzma Mirza
Reflecting on greening after Ramadan – Food, Waste, Water usage, Energy Consumption
Let us refreshen our Tawwakul and make our outward actions reflect balance (Mizan) and save Earth’s resources and communities by first, “form a green team,” which will lend to rethinking and reducing our carbon and ecological footprint - reduce, recycle, repair, refurbish, as follows:
Water:
a) Do not use plastic water bottles, use TAP water or filtered tap water with own cup
b) Bring your own bottle
c) Wudu: minimize water usage emphasizing posters of prophetic practice of performing the entire wudu from a bowl the size of two-hands full or 1 mudd (approx 500-700ml) - he warned against excess in performing ablution (israf).
d) Replace existing water fountain in Masjid to a “water bottle filtered refill station”
e) Use an energy star dishwasher in lieu of handwashing.
f) Make a rain garden/rainwater harvest for toilet grey water usage
g) Convert garbage to soil (compost).
h) Use energy star plumbing fixtures-faucets and toilets.
Waste:
a) Best: Bring your own real plates and utensils.
b) Styrofoam free-Iftar. Use alternative paper products instead of styro-foam products.
c) Minimize food production in breaking fast during Ramadan Iftar’s.
d) Serve food to guests at Masjid Iftar to limit food waste
e) Have a recycled Bin at Masjid managed by your ‘Masjid Green Team.’
Earth/Food:
a) Limit food prepared dishes at iftar events.
b) Eat healthy cooked foods and abstain from fast foods
c) Kutbah: Ramadhan is not about food but rethinking
d) Build a vegetable garden: ground, raised or container
e) Plant a garden or potted plant. Ramadan is a good time to plant trees and vegetable gardens at home and the mosque. Start growing some of your own food and remember that planting a tree is a charity.
Energy:
a) Light bulbs: LED bulbs or Energy efficient/Energy Star fixtures
b) Plumbing fixtures: Energy efficient/Energy Star water fixtures – faucets and toilets.
c) Use sensors at faucets.
d) Use sensors at light switches for all rooms.
e) Solar panel/PV panels at roof for energy usage to offset electricity bill
f) Offsite Wind/Solar power as an alternative energy source for electrical energy offset by using green certificates for renewable energy use.
g) Do a green audit of your Masjid by a professional
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