Mosques across the UK are being recognised and celebrated for their efforts to go ‘green’, address climate change, and encourage climate action, through the annual British Beacon Mosque Awards (BBMA).
Each year, mosques are nominated and shortlisted for the BBMAs under the category of ‘Best Green Initiative’, and the mosque with the highest number of votes and Judges’ score is declared the winner of this prestigious Award. The ‘Best Green Initiative’ award category looks to award a Mosque that has developed and sustained a Green Initiative, either through an educational program or a physical adaptation to reduce their carbon footprint, for example, through solar panels or rain water harvesting.
Here is a look at the winners and their exemplary work within the environmental field-
2021 Winners: Easton Jamia Masjid, Bristol
Easton Jamia Mosque has released “A Muslim’s Guide to Climate Change” to highlight links between Islam and the responsibility to protect our environment. The Mosque also worked with Eastside community Trust, who work collectively to help combat the negative impacts that climate change has on their community now and in the years to come. By working in collaboration with local residents, they hope that improving our environment will not only improve the prospects for our natural world but the wellbeing and sustainability of their community as a whole. The Easton Jamia Mosque are working with multiple local partners on a variety of projects and are also one of the community partners leading Bristol’s successful Climate Action Fund project.
2020 Winners: Al Madina Mosque, Barking
Al Madina Mosque is one of three Mosques in the UK awarded a ‘Beacon Mosque’ 5 star status. They have previously won Beacon Mosque awards in 2018 and 2019 ceremonies and have contributed greatly to the local community in Barking and Dagenham. They have provided innovative services that make the Mosque a Beacon Centre in London. As part of the ongoing efforts to educate children around responsibilities and duties towards protecting the earth, its ecology and permaculture, the Al Madina Hive Centre put on an interactive workshop to enhance the knowledge and understanding of the children in the fields of permaculture, environmental sustainability and nature.
2019 Winners: Cambridge Central Mosque, Cambridge
The iconic Cambridge Central Mosque is a unique prayer space that fuses traditional and modern architecture and has green credentials that reflect Islam’s ideals of earth, soul and community care. The mosque is committed to sustainability: its advanced eco-design gives it a near-zero carbon footprint, honours natural forms with sustainable timber vaulting, and reminds the visitors of their connection to nature.
2018 Winners: Sultan Bahu Trust, UK
The Hazrat Sultan Bahu Trust is a registered charity founded in 1983. The Bahu Trust believes that preserving the environment is an act of worship, the faith of Islam gives a clear mandate to protect and look after nature. They offer Imam training, Education, Campaigning and Advocacy, run community clean ups and environmental campaigns.
