Fazlun M. Khalid

Founder Director – Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences (www.ifees.org.uk)

Today’s Date: 10 January 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

I was born in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, where the tea from this country is still known as Ceylon Tea. As I was growing up I realised that vast areas of low and high country pristine forests were cleared in the nineteenth century to make way for huge tea and rubber plantations that made profits for the big companies that plied the trans national trade. I then realised that every country with pristine forests has suffered this same fate under the hands of profit seekers and that this process is still continuing to this day.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

My favourite outdoor space during my childhood was Galle Face Green located on the edge of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. It was a huge esplanade and as the name suggests an expanse of verdant green; a mile long promenade on the edge of the sea where as you strolled with others you are treated to the ceaseless roar of the breaking rollers of the Indian Ocean. The magic moments came when the orange ball of the setting sun made the sea look as if it were heaving a mass of diamonds and rubies. Then, as the sun sank over the horizon and the night came the luminous sea had more treasures to show us; as the waves broke it left threads of silver on the sandy shore as far as the eye can see.

Now? I now live in middle England on the edge of what is known as the Peak District in Derbyshire. A far cry from the tropics of my childhood, but beautiful nevertheless in its own right. This was Britain’s first national park and once in the middle of it there is no way of knowing that you are surrounded by industrial cities and you can be utterly alone in it and even get lost if you are caught out in bad weather. The region taken as a whole has an interesting mixture of wild landscapes, old market towns and industrial heritage; a place to reflect on what nature can provide if left to its own devises, man’s unquenchable inventiveness and his impatience to shape his surroundings to his long term detriment.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

The Tiger. Nothing to beat its beauty, grace, and awesome power.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Global warming is the tip of the iceberg if this metaphor is appropriate for the occasion. All the familiar issues like pollution, habitat destruction, species extinction, etc. are inescapably interlocked. The challenge, both now and in the future is to realise that planet earth is finite and to change our behaviour accordingly.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

We need to realise that we are very much a part of the environment. The earth is the womb that nurtures us and if we care for it and protect it, it will reward us with its abundance.

Fazlun Khalid – Short Bio (provided by IFEES)

Fazlun Khalid has established for himself a world wide reputation as an indefatigable advocate of environmental protection rooted in religion and traditional beliefs and is now recognized as one of fifteen leading eco theologians in the world alongside the Dalai Lama and the Pope.

As an example of his work he chaired a major gathering in Japan in 1995 and produced the Ohito Declaration for Religion, Land and Conservation which pledged all the major faiths to work together in addressing environmental problems. Subsequently as Director of Training for the Alliance of Religions and Conservation he tirelessly promoted the declaration world-wide from 1995 to 2000.

Since the mid 1980s he has devoted his energies to promoting Islamic environmentalism in both its theological and practical manifestations. His writing output has been described by an influential academic as being “among the most important, insightful, relevant and reliable” is now widely quoted by academics, students and activists in this area of concern. His work in the field is of even greater significance. He also founded the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences which he now directs.

His work displays a sustained effort to unite people of all persuasions in dealing with a common threat and also a deep commitment to the cause of environmental justice for the poor in developing countries.


Received via postal mail

Razan Zuayter

Chairperson – Arab Group for the Protection of Nature (www.apnature.org)

Today’s Date: 17 December 2007

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Germination of a seed

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

The blossoming almond fields in my birth place Nablus, Palestine

Now? Wadi Rum – Desert – Jordan (I am denied access to Palestine due to occupation)

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

A bear, strong but kind

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Greatest challenge now and in the future = Human arrogance to control nature for short term power & profit & the denial of access of people to their natural resources (land, water, seeds, …)

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Coexist with nature, do not try to dominate it


Received via postal mail

Mitt Romney

Republican Presidential Candidate

Today’s Date: 17 Jan 2008

Dear Jeremy:

Thank you for contacting me regarding my environmental policy. I appreciate your interest in my campaign for President and would like to extend my sincere gratitude for taking the time to share your views with me.

We must be responsible stewards of the environment to ensure that our children and grandchildren inherit the quality of life we enjoy today. We can achieve this through implementation of common sense policies as well as the development of new technology. We must protect our land, our air, and our water, while not inhibiting economic growth.

We need to improve our energy efficiency, reduce our carbon emissions, and reduce our dependency on foreign oil. We need an energy plan that includes reducing our consumption of oil, and increasing our use of alternative sources of energy like nuclear, ethanol, and biodiesel. We also need to invest in the necessary research and development programs for alternative energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon technologies. These actions will enable us to heat our homes, drive our vehicles, and run our businesses with a much smaller environmental footprint than ever before.

I am running for President because I fervently believe that I have the experience and vision to address the issues facing our country. Throughout my years in both the private and public sectors, I have been successful by pursuing innovation and transformation. If there were ever a time for change in Washington, it is now.

Again, thank you for contacting me about the environment. I encourage you to visit my website at www.MittRomney.com for updated information on other issues that may be of interest to you. I look forward to hearing from you in the future, and earning your support.

Sincerely,
Mitt Romney

**This is an email message that I got back from Mitt Romney’s campaign, after sending a copy of my survey to them, as I did with all of the Presidential candidates. While I am assuming it is not in direct response to my survey, but rather a prepared statement regarding environmental issues, I though it was interesting to read and worth sharing. – Jeremy

Dr. Salah Idin Kuftaro

General Director - Sheikh Ahmad Kuftaro Islamic Foundation (www.abunour.net)

Today’s Date: 17 January 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

My late father Sheikh Ahmad Kuftaro the grand mufti was living in the countryside of Damascus in a big farm. He used to take care of a dog and I have never seen a creature through all my life more faithful than the dog. My father used to plant some young trees and to take care of about 70 beehives after putting on special dress for bees. He sees in the daily activity of the bees a great evidence of the existence of God. His eyes glared with happiness when he watched the bees flying to blossoms and flowers and sipping the nectar of honey which is mentioned in the holy Quran by the words:" and the lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in (men's) habitations; then to eat of all the produce(of the earth), and find with skill the spacious paths of its lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a sign for those who give thought".

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

I loved dwelling in the countryside after I had been grown up in my father's house in the countryside of Damascus, so today I possess a farm in the countryside of Damascus with swimming pool and fruit trees. In summer holidays, I receive my guest, American and European delegations in my farm to enhance acquaintance and dialogue with the west together with my wife and three children. Since my childhood, I loved dwelling in the countryside far away from the city noise and environmental pollution.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

The favorite animal: It is the horse, the symbol of glittering and extreme intelligence particularly the genuine Arab horse, also the dog and as you know its faithfulness is beyond limits. The holy Quran mentioned some of these animals such as the horse, the dog, the ants and the bees. Animal in general do no harm to any other creature even if it were wild when it has a full stomach specially after it devours its prey. This merit gives it bride. The dilemma nowadays is that some people are worse than animals. They kill their brothers in humanity and quit their morals and principles. They may fire a rocket or missile killing thousands of their human brothers as well as to occupation and the absence of justice. What kind of civilization man has reached in the 21st century? That is why we love and respect animal.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

No answer given

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

No answer given