Salamun alaykum,
Earth Week 7th – 15th November, 2009
Dahwul Ardh / Earth day on 25th Dhulqa’ada (14th November, 2009)
What is Dahwul Ardh ?
The phrase "Dahwul Ardh" literally means "The spread of the earth".
"Dahwul Ardh" - according to a tradition of the Holy Prophet s.a.w.w. is on the 25th of Dhulqa'da. On this day Allah spread out all the land on the earth from under the Ka’aba for the advantage of human beings. In another tradition it is reported that the first Rahmah; blessing descended on this very day. This is also the day when Prophet Adam (peace be with him) was sent to Earth.
This day is also the birthday of two great Prophets, Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be with him, who is known as the Father of Monotheism as it is from him that the great Prophets came that make up the Jews, Christians and Muslims of today. In addition Prophet Isa bin Maryam ( Jesus) ,peace be with him, was born on this blessed day.
The Holy Qur’an alluding to the spread of the earth says:“…and after that He spread out the earth.” (Sura An-Nazi-at 79:30)
Earth Day :
Whereas the well-known Earth Day was officially proclaimed by the United Nations on February 26, 1971, after the idea was first brought up by peace activist John McConnell at a UNESCO Conference on the Environment in 1969 and later asserted by San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto on March 21, 1970;Dahwul-Ardh, Earth day, has been an occasion celebrated by muslims for more than 1400 years now.
Let us make Dahwul Ardh : The Earth day an unforgettable occasion:
Observe Dahwul Ardh in an innovative way : This year the lunar date for Dahwul Ardh will fall on 14th November I.A. Therefore the week of 7th November to 15th November is being declared as Earth week and actual day of Dahwul Ardh, (14th November) be Earth Day.
This message will be included in Majlis, Risalatul Jum’a, Salatul Jum’a khutba and the madrasah. I.A. On the actual day of Dahwul Ardh, (14th November) the Earth Day, a function wil be held at the madrasah. Events include tree planting,address and qasida. The programme will conclude with maghribayn salah followed by iftar. ( breaking of fast).
The take home message be let us appreciate our ‘home’ the earth and practice spiritual ( taqwa) and physical conservation (water, energy, environment etc ) and that conservation is ibadah : an act of worship.
England to have first-ever 'Inter Faith Week'
On 24th March, 2009, Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears announced England's first-ever 'Inter Faith Week', will run from 15 to 21 November 2009. Its aims are:
- to strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels
- to increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, in particular celebrating and building on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society
- to increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious belief
It is a point of interest to note that this year Dahwul Ardh falls in the Interfaith week. The Earth Ecosystem is the perfect starting block for Interfaith dialogue. Islam is the only one of the three Abrahamic religions that clearly advocates our role as stewards / trustees to Earth.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
With salaams and duas
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat
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