A Canadian non-profit, Green Ummah, is working to foster an environmental movement within the Muslim community, aiming to help students connect sustainable habits with their cultural values.

Co-founded by Aadil Nathani, the group addresses the under-representation of Muslims and other racialized groups in environmental activism, CBC reported.

Nathani, who is also the organization’s director of operations and partnerships, explained that Green Ummah partnered with Nature Canada to create a two-week curriculum, the Greening Our Communities toolkit.

This program, taught in Islamic and public schools in diverse communities, helps students explore the connections between Islam, environmental stewardship, and justice.

Nathani believes the curriculum is unique in its approach. “We see these students as the future leaders,” he said.

“If we can teach them about their responsibility to the environment early, they will act more carefully in the future.”

Muslim communities in Canada have traditionally faced barriers to environmental activism, particularly due to concerns about safety and Islamophobia. Nathani highlighted incidents like the London, Ontario truck attack and the Quebec mosque shooting as examples of the violence many Muslim Canadians have faced.

He emphasised the importance of overcoming these challenges to empower the next generation of environmental leaders.

The curriculum has been piloted in Ontario high schools and middle schools, with plans to expand nationally. Green Ummah also offers online resources like the Green Ramadan program and hosts events in Alberta and British Columbia.

A key part of the initiative is breaking down barriers to outdoor experiences for racialized and newcomer students, many of whom face difficulties accessing nature in Canada.

Thanks to a partnership with Nature Canada’s NatureHood program, students participate in field trips to wildlife areas, urban nature sites, and national parks.

“This builds a connection to the environment and encourages students to become future environmental stewards,” said Nathani.

For students like Yavar Mirza, a Grade 11 student at Gibraltar Leadership Academy, the program has changed how he views the environment.

“I began to see the natural world not just as a resource, but something sacred,” he said, adding that it reinforced the spiritual and moral responsibility of addressing climate change. Mirza is now committed to integrating sustainable practices and advocating for climate justice.

The program also aims to combat climate anxiety, a growing concern among young people. Nathani explained that the focus is on showing students that while challenges exist, they can be part of the solution. For Grade 11 student Anees Chugtai, the message was empowering.

“Before the program, I thought the world was just going downhill, but now I feel more hopeful.”

Teachers, like Lilian Tu at Milliken Mills High School, have seen the program’s impact firsthand. Tu noted that students in lower-income communities often miss out on field trips due to costs.

However, Green Ummah funded trips and activities like tree planting, which not only contributed to environmental sustainability but also allowed students to enjoy nature and build camaraderie.