Abdullah Al Hatimi

As a researcher at the Islamic Ecological Economic Development Center in Dubai, I’ve been studying the development of global ecological environment governance for many years, and looking for the concept of ecological environment protection from Islam teachings. Recently, I have carried out a research project on the governance models of desertification and soil erosion by governments around the world, so I turned my research direction to the environmental protection and treatment of Xinjiang in China. In my opinion, we should give full play to the role of bridges and bonds among religious circles, carry forward the fine traditions of Islam in conducting ecological environmental protection. Excavate the ecological wisdom resources in the Qur’an, which is of special significance to actively guide Muslims from all circles to participate in the construction of ecological civilization.

The environmental thoughts in the Qur’an include the creation of all things by Allah, the existence of orders of all things, the diversity of living things and the close relationship between man and nature. It has certain reference function to construct the civilized and modern ecological view of all countries in the world. According to the ecological concept in the Qur’an, Allah is the creator of all things including mankind in the universe. All things and humanity originate from Allah and return to Allah. The world has unity and integrity. As the scripture says, “Allah created all things within six days.” “The heavens and earth were closed and Allah made of heaven and earth and created all living things with water.” On the one hand, the Qur’an lifts humans out of nature and affirms the transcendence of human beings over nature. On the other hand, it also points out that human beings cannot transcend nature, and that humans and nature have common roots and destinations and belong to the same homeland.

Therefore, Allah has created a harmonious and perfect living environment for human beings and also provided all kinds of delicious food for human beings to survive and enjoy. This fully reflects the humanistic care of Islam and has given humanity the supremacy of transcending the nature. This is an affirmation of the significance and value of humanity as a real existence. And it also indicates that all the natural existences created by Allah are friends of human beings. Human beings and nature are closely interdependent. In the friendly atmosphere where human beings and nature coexist and mutually support, the world is a harmonious and unified whole which fully reflects the perfection of Allah’s creation.

In recent years, in China, there existed severe situation including the desertification of grasslands, degradation of arable land and soil quality, urban air pollution and pollution of water resources, especially pollution of fresh water resources. The ecological environment problems exist in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are more prominent. However, under the vigorous governance of the Chinese government for many years, the ecological environment in Xinjiang has been greatly improved and the living environment of Xinjiang Uyghur Muslims has also got improved. Xinjiang Uyghur Muslims have made great contributions to the governance of the ecological environment in Xinjiang. In Islam, we attach great importance to the harmonious coexistence between man and nature and to the protection of the ecological environment.

In response to the desertification and drought conditions, the local government in Xinjiang has formulated and taken a number of effective measures for environmental protection and has achieved significant results. For example, in 2018, in order to win the Blue Sky Defense War, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region issued and implemented the Three-Year Action Plan for the Autonomous Region to Win the Blue Sky Defense War (2018-2020). A number of major ecological protection construction and restoration projects were expedited expedite to proceed, including two million-mu ecological governance projects on Aksu River and on Weiganhe River Basin of Xinjiang. 5.94 million mu of desertified land and 2.72 million mu of afforestation were effectively treated. A large number of prominent environmental problems were effectively resolved. In addition, China points to a vision of “green mountains and clear water are equal to mountains of gold and silver.” These thoughts and ideas are all rooted in the heart of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. Environmental protection has been an important part of Xinjiang’s comprehensive development strategy.

The protection and management of the ecological environment in Xinjiang is an important measure for the Chinese government to implement ecological construction. The living environment of my Xinjiang Uyghur Muslim siblings has changed dramatically, and they have a beautiful home with green mountains, blue sky and white clouds. I envy them very much and admire the Chinese government's governance model, which is very worth learning and adopting by Muslim countries in the world.

Abdullah Al Hatimi

Research Fellow at the Islamic Ecological Economic Development Center in Dubai