This Ramadhan, the focus extends beyond the traditional pillars of fasting and reflection to encompass a vital call for environmental responsibility. Green Ramadhan seeks to harmonise the spiritual values inherent in the holy month, moderation, gratitude and compassion with tangible actions aimed at reducing ecological impact throughout the observance.
The necessity for this shift is underscored by measurable increases in consumption and waste.
Data from Muscat indicates that household waste can surge by up to 30 per cent during Ramadhan. A substantial portion of this refuse is attributed to the reliance on single-use items, excessive packaging and the preparation of surplus food. This situation is framed not just as an environmental concern, but also as a potential wastage of blessings, contradicting the learned wisdom of eating and drinking in moderation.
The core principle linking faith and environmental care is the alignment of daily actions with spiritual guidance. By adopting mindful practices, environmental stewardship transforms into an act of worship. This commitment begins with the Suhoor meal.
Practical steps involve meticulous meal planning to prevent overcooking and ensuring that only necessary quantities are prepared. Creatively utilising leftovers and consistently choosing reusable containers over disposable plastic bags are emphasised. Furthermore, the purchasing habits of consumers play a role; supporting local farmers through markets and selecting goods with minimal packaging helps reduce the overall footprint associated with Ramadhan preparations.
Hospitality, central to Iftar, presents a key area for change. The article champions a return to sustainable traditions, urging a shift away from disposable plates towards reusable serving ware, mirroring practices of previous generations. This movement is already visible in community centres and mosques in Muscat, which are adopting eco-friendly serving solutions. The vision is for this sustainable approach to become the standard across all neighbourhood gatherings. Food waste remains the most significant challenge, reportedly accounting for up to 60 per cent of Ramadhan-related waste in Muscat from untouched food.
To combat this, community Iftars are encouraged to promote a ‘Take Only What You Can Finish’ campaign. Crucially, this surplus food should not be discarded; establishing partnerships with local charities, such as the Oman Food Bank, provides a structured and safe mechanism for redistributing untouched meals to those in need.
The spirit of giving (Zakat and Sadaqah) can also be channelled sustainably. Instead of contributing pre-packaged food baskets, charitable giving can be directed towards projects that offer long-term environmental and community benefits, such as funding clean water infrastructure, supporting solar energy solutions for community needs, or investing in urban gardens that ensure ongoing food security.
Finally, the article highlights the critical issue of water conservation. In a region facing water stress, mindful water usage during cooking and cleaning transcends mere practicality; it becomes a spiritual obligation. Ultimately, embracing a Green Ramadan is presented as a direct adherence to the Quranic teaching: “Do not waste, for God does not love the wasteful” (Surah Al A’raf, 7:31).
By integrating faith with ecological responsibility, society teaches its children that caring for the Earth is intrinsic to their faith. This Ramadhan, selection of every meal and every act of charity will reflect a deeper commitment to a greener, more responsible society and reducing the adverse environmental impacts especially carbon footprint.
Dr Zahra Allahdad
The writer is a senior environmental consultant
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