Did you know April 22 is national Earth Day! It is a special day that is set aside annually to create awareness about important environmental issues. Children across America use this month to reflect on our planet and study the different ways to keep it healthy.
Earth Day is a good opportunity to tie in what your children are learning in school to Islam. Explain to your children what it means to be Allah’s Kalifah – explain that Muslims have a serious responsibility to care for all of Allah’s creations. Learn about the benefits of caring for our planet by reading environmental hadith. And finally follow the Sunnah by taking action. Here are some simple ways in which your family can work together and contribute to the well-being of plants, animals, and naturals resources.
For little ones: build excitement by working on Earth Day crafts (listed below).
For slightly older children: help them research ways in which they can make a difference. For example, kids can plant trees and flowers, set up a community garden and distribute fresh vegetables to neighbors, or raise money to save an animal from becoming extinct.
As a family: make an agreement to start implementing the practice of Reducing, Reusing and Recycling waste (see chart below).
Earth Day Hadith:
Islam teaches mankind to respect and care for all of Allah’s creations. Rasulullah (s) has said,
“If you have a sapling, if you have the time, be certain to plant it, even if Doomsday starts to break forth.” (al-Munawi, Fayd al-Qadir, iii, 30)
“Whoever plants trees, God will give him reward to the extent of their fruit.” (Musnad, v, 415)
“If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charitable gift (sadaqah) for him.” (Bukhari)
Activity Links:
Earth Day Activities for Teachers:
Earth Day Activities for Kids:
Earth Day Coloring Pages:
For More Information on Earth Day and Ways to Help Visit:
Try This: Here are some things you can do with your family at home:
|
Reduce |
Reuse |
Recycle |
| Turn off water while brushing | Ziplock bags that once carried your carrots can now carry your crayons | Glass bottles |
| Take shorter showers | Old tee-shirts can be used as cleaning rags | Aluminum, Steel, & Copper |
| Turn off the lights when you leave a room | Try to reuse packaging:jars as vases, containers as pencil boxes, magnets out of bottle caps and button | Plastics:Any clean plastic labeled with a #1-7 (except Styrofoam). Examples: plastic bottles, cups, bags, containers (please put multiple bags stuffed in together – individual bags cause problems) |
| Unplug any electronic devices when not in use | Cereal boxes can be transformed into napkin holders and picture frames Or turn pictures from old books and calendars into fancy artwork, | Paper:Any clean paper. Examples: printer paper (staples OK), junk mail (windows OK), newspaper, books, phone books, magazines, cereal/shoe boxes, index cards |
| Keep the doors and windows shut when using the ac or heat | Use stamps and ribbon to change old newspapers and brown paper bags into fun gift wrap | Cardboard |
| Turn down your thermostat | Donate old clothes, books, toys, electronics, and school supplies to needy families and schools | Rechargeable Batteries |
| Make your lunch waste free: choose items that don’t require a lot of packaging | Look online for ways to refurbish old furniture or electronics to work as new | Computers, Printers, Cell Phones |
| Walk or Ride your bike when possible | Buy products that are easily recycled and Earth friendly | For more tips visit:http://www.eartheasy.com/live_recycling.htm |
LETS MAKE EVERYDAY AN EARTH DAY!!
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