As Muslims, our answer is to establish centres of community living which will show Islam as an integrated pattern of productive social life working in harmony with nature. Our next step is to express that potential in the following broad outline.

Research, resource and project development

• Set up College for Ecology and Environmental Sciences.
  
• Set up research base for Islamic teaching on the khalq (creation) of Allah and related subjects.
  
• Produce instructive material for educational establishments and information which will appeal to the wider population (d’awa).
  
• Organise conferences and seminars.
  
• Compile a database and act as an information exchange for Muslims and non-Muslims on environmental affairs.
  
• Provide advice and direct practical assistance for others who wish to set up similar projects anywhere in the world.

Training

Training will be provided for all age groups particularly the young. This will initially comprise weekend courses and be gradually extended to medium and long term programmes.

Training modules will be based on Qur’an and the practice of the Prophet, blessings of Allah and peace be on him. A range of subjects covering the environmental sciences will be taught. Practical training will include farm work and the use of low energy, low cost technology.

Organic farming

Non-industrial, traditional farming techniques will be used as a practical demonstration of self-sufficiency. IFEES will be drawing on the expertise already developed in the field.

Two examples are organic farming methods being practised by HRH Prince Charles at Highgrove and the Mollison Forest Analogue System commonly known as ‘permaculture’, an adaptable system in use all over the world in both urban and rural environments as well as widely differing climatic conditions.

Intermediate technology

It has been estimated that renewable sources of energy have the potential to meet or exceed the current total world demand for energy. The sun, for example, offers us solar energy directly as light and heat and indirectly in the form of wind, waves and the products of photosynthesis by green plants.

IFEES will function as a demonstration centre for such technology (water wheels, solar panels, waste recycling, etc.) and will participate in its promotion and development.