The London Central Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre hosted a landmark event this week, “Islam & The Environment,” bringing together faith representatives, community leaders, environmental advocates, and local government to explore shared commitments to sustainability and climate action.
The evening was marked by the launch of the Mosque’s first-ever Environmental Policy. This milestone reflects both ethical and religious responsibility to protect the environment, care for the natural world, and support communities.
Faith and Stewardship
Opening the event, Dr Ahmad Al Dubayan, Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre, spoke about the spiritual and religious dimensions of caring for the environment in Islam. He reminded the audience that safeguarding creation is not only an ethical duty but also a central teaching of the faith. He emphasised the Mosque’s vision for faith centres in the UK and beyond to become examples of environmental leadership.
Partnership with Local Government
The event also highlighted the vital partnership between community institutions and local authorities. Rachel Blake, MP for the Cities of London and Westminster, praised the collective work across different communities, expressing hope that this spirit of collaboration will help deliver progress on both climate and social justice.
Barnet Multi Faith Forum was among those represented at the gathering, with the organisers acknowledging and appreciating its attendance as part of the broader interfaith commitment to environmental action.
This message was reinforced by Cllr Ryan Jude, Westminster Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate and Ecology. He outlined the Council’s ambition to achieve net-zero by 2040, explaining that success requires broad collaboration, as 98% of Westminster’s emissions are outside the Council’s direct control.
He highlighted the Sustainable City Charter, a voluntary initiative enabling organisations—including businesses, institutions, and faith centres—to commit to reducing emissions across areas such as energy, waste, and transport. Cllr Jude commended the London Central Mosque’s active role in this partnership, including its contribution as part of the city’s Cool Spaces network.
The Mosque’s Environmental Action Plan
The evening also saw the formal launch of the Mosque’s Environmental Policy by Omar Al Dubayan, who leads its Environment & Sustainability work. The policy commits the Mosque to embedding sustainability across all areas of its operations, including:
- Energy and Water Management
- Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Sustainable Procurement
- Education and Community Engagement
- Food and Hospitality
Early steps are already underway: phasing out single-use plastics, improving waste procedures, and completing a full energy audit. Looking forward, the Mosque plans initiatives such as solar panel installation and biodiversity gardens.
“We will document and share our process, our data, and our challenges,” Omar said. “Our hope is to create a network of environmentally responsible faith institutions, learning from one another and building a movement together.”
A Shared Commitment
The event concluded with a strong sense of unity and resolve. It marked not only the beginning of a new chapter for the London Central Mosque but also a call for collective action—faith-driven, community-led, and rooted in shared responsibility for a sustainable future.
