CHARITY JOINS WORLD’S GREEN DECISION MAKERS

A Birmingham charity has been admitted to the ranks of the world’s leading
environmental decision-makers.
Islamic Help has been granted accreditation as an observer to the Governing
Body of UNEP ‒ the United Nations Environment Programme – allowing it to
participate in all public meetings and sessions of UNEP and its subsidiary bodies.
Accreditation is the main entry point for major groups and stakeholders that
want to engage in policy dialogue at the UN and help shape the future of the
world.
Islamic Help is one of only four Muslim organisations in the UK to have received
UNEP observer status – the others being IFEES, the Bahu Trust and Islamic Relief.
Established in 1972 and with its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP’s sets the
global environmental agenda. Its declared mission is to provide leadership and
encourage worldwide public and private sector research and partnerships that
benefit the environment for existing and future generations.
The UN Environment Assembly is the world’s highest-level decision-making body
on the environment. Accreditation gives Islamic Help a seat on the Assembly as
an observer and the opportunity to contribute to addressing the global
challenges which the world faces from climate change.
An Islamic Help official said: “UNEP accreditation is a major step forward in
Islamic Help’s efforts to develop as an environmentally sustainable NGO that
stands up for the rights of those unfairly impacted by the effects of climate
change across the globe.
“It provides impetus to further develop our environmental projects ‒
ranging from our pioneering Children’s Eco Village in Tanzania to tree
planting in Jordan and the participation of Rohingya refugee children in
green projects ‒ and the incentive to educate and develop our staff,
volunteers and supporters towards a common objective.
The Qur’an makes it clear that, as Muslims, part of our faith is to care for
our environment and our planet for the benefit of all. We have been
appointed Khalifahs (guardians) of our world and given trusteeship and
responsibility to respect, nurture and care for the environment.
As Islamic Help enters this exciting new chapter, we look forward to the
opportunity to working with UNEP and playing our part in making our
world a greener, safer and cleaner legacy for all.”