Roland Shirk Thinks Muslim Environmentalists Part of Sinister Plot to Colonize the West?

by Sheila Musaji

Robert Spencer’s Jihad Watch site has just published another article by “Roland Shirk” titled Mister Green Deen.  This article takes anti-Muslim paranoia to a new level.  (Since the departure of Hugh Fitzgerald from Jihad Watch, a new mystery man has appeared in his place — someone named Roland Shirk about whom, like Fitzgerald, there is also no information to be found elsewhere.)

It seems that for some folks, anything Muslims do is suspicious and has an ulterior motive.  In these sick minds, it is not possible for any Muslim to do anything that is good and decent.  It is not enough for them to spend their lives searching out any statement or action by any Muslim anywhere that is reprehensible so that they can report on it and generalize it to all Muslims — they must also attempt to impugn the motives of any positive statement or action by any Muslim.  They live in a black and white, us versus them, absolute good versus absolute evil world.  And, Islam and Muslims are “them” and “absolutely evil”.

In this remarkable screed, Shirk sees the recently released book Green Deen: What Islam Teaches about Protecting the Planet, by Ibrahim Abdul Matin as being the most recent attempt by devious Muslims to take over the planet.  According to Shirk, the book is part of

a provocative new front in the dawa offensive: the attempt of certain Muslims to package their faith as the best philosophical basis for a sound stewardship of the planet.

He quotes an article by Mark Musser

Who is Ibrahim Matin? Here’s where things get interesting. As Musser notes:

Matin works in New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s environmental planning department as a policy advisor for New York City’s long term sustainability, and was one of the Muslims promoting the idea that the new mosque being considered near Ground Zero should be a green one. In fact, Matin devotes one whole chapter of his book to “Green Mosques” and provides a list of environmentally friendly practices that can and should be implemented at each local mosque.

Musser notes a wider offensive on the part of American Muslims to repackage Islam as ecologically responsible, as a means of making connections with Islam’s Western allies of convenience: progressives and leftists. Musser pounds on the table a bit, calling this outreach an “unholy alliance that threatens our future but which escapes the attention of media.” My first instinct was to think this was a little bit overblown; I’ve seen plenty of books by members of various faiths that explored how their tenets could be squared with the fruits of secular reason—attempts to reconcile Catholicism and pluralism, Christianity and capitalism, Judaism and internationalism, and so on. Is it necessarily sinister for Muslims to try to come to some similar arrangement?

Shirk then makes his own comments on Musser’s thesis

I’d forgotten, as too many people do, the fundamental difference between Islam and other faiths, its self-imposed rigidity and essential immunity to new information. The stark, untouchable core of that religion is pure revelation, with no room for reason as an authoritative interpreter. Indeed, even the traditions of interpretation that arose around the Qur’an were frozen in amber centuries ago—as Robert Reilly, among others, points out. There is no more Islamic philosophy or even theology, only mysticism and jurisprudence—or as the unsympathetic would have it, fantasy and force. That doesn’t offer a very promising field in which the seeds of new movements, which claim to be derived from secular reason, are likely to flourish.

Shirk then quotes Musser again, spouting all sorts of anti-Muslim drivel, at great length, including an attack on Rep. Keith Ellison who wrote the forward to Matin’s book.  Shirk then comes to his own conclusion

And that is where Islam comes in. Muslims find leftists natural allies at breaking down the self-defense mechanisms evolved by Western countries, so they can accomplish their project of colonizing the West. Leftists find in Muslims energetic foot soldiers and voters, natural “victim” groups who can be made the beneficiaries of bureaucratic interventions, and also a handy stick with which to threaten their enemies: Don’t pass X law, or you’ll have riots in the streets of Paris and Amsterdam, and the violence that occurs will be your fault, because you provoked it. Painting Islam as “eco-friendly” seems to me like just another way to yoke together two movements (Islam and the Left) that are fundamentally at odds, but are willing to work as one against a common enemy: the free, residually Christian West.

As always, the comments made by Jihad Watch readers are very telling of the mindset of those who follow and believe the nonsense printed on that site.  Here are just a few of those comments:

Tziona says:  Islam, eco-friendly!? The religion that turned “the bread basket of Rome” (the coastal plains of North Africa) into semi-desert… some kind of joke!?    The lunar calendar that Islam rotates around makes Muslims the worst farmers in the world, and this in turn makes Islamic countries fundamentally economic failures (their collective ass has only been saved - and then some - by the West’s dependance (sic) on oil).  Wealthy Muslims have of course always used their wealth to create wonderful private gardens, but ‘inshallah fatalism’ lets the fellaheen exploit only what nature provides regardless of man’s intervention, Islam doesn’t inspire man to intervene and nurture nature’s capacity to impove (sic).

Jaladhi says: It’s amazing how far Muslims have infiltrated in the Us state and Federal governments and the they influencing the policies of our clueless politicians. We need a thorough house cleaning at all levels only that can save this nation!

Lilredbird says:  ...  Hey, they can join up with Ellison and Obama BFF Van Jones and start a new campaign: Sharia Law for Mother Nature! Go Green or Face a Fatwa! Behead Those Who Use Plasic (sic) Bags!    Stupidity, it would seem, truly has no limits.

Nighthawk says:  This is nothing but Taquiyya (sic) aimed at the clueless tree hugger. Once they succeed in taking over the world, they will not give a rats ass about the environment anymore and turn the world into a waste dump.

These folks are so full of hatred that they are probably beyond reason.  However, the issue of the Environment & Ecology in Islam is one that has been discussed in depth by Muslims who are concerned about our moral and ethical responsibility for stewardship of the earth.  TAM has a lengthy article collection on this topic.  For the enlightenment of Mr. Musser and Mr. Shirk, here is that collection:

“And We created from water every living thing.”  Qur’an 21:30

“Make not mischief on the earth” Qur’an 2:11

“Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned, that (God) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from evil).”  Qur’an 30:41

“There is not a moving creature on earth, or a bird that flies with its wings, but they are communities like you (humans).  We have neglected nothing in the Book; then unto their Lord they shall (all) be gathered.” Qur’n 6:38

Muslims are instructed to look after the environment and not to damage it:

Devote thyself single-mindedly to the Faith, and thus follow the nature designed by Allah, the nature according to which He has fashioned mankind. There is no altering the creation of Allah.
Qur’an 30:30

This is part of a Muslims responsibility to God:

Allah is He Who raised up the heavens without any pillars that you can see. Then He settled Himself on the Throne, and constrained the sun and the moon; each one pursues its course during an appointed term. He regulates it all and explains the Signs in detail, that you may have firm belief in the meeting with your Lord. He it is Who spread out the earth and made thereon firmly fixed mountains and rivers, and of fruits of every kind He has made pairs. He causes the night to cover the day. In all this, verily, are signs for a people who reflect.  Qur’an 13:2-3

MORE ON ROLAND SHIRK

This is the same Roland Shirk who Loonwatch noted has called for unconstitutional “reforms” to ghettoize Muslims.  Shirk said in an article promting this idea that Islam is a religion of fear and force, and its adherents can only be at your feet or at your throat. We had better decide which posture we prefer. The time is short.

ARTICLES

A Different Jihad, Asghar Ali Engineer http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/a_different_jihad/

A General Introduction to Islam’s Attitude Toward the Universe, Natural Resources, and the Relation Between Man and Nature http://www.islamset.com/env/section1.html

Advancing Islamic environmental law: a collaborative exploration conference http://www.islamset.com/env/islamic_env/islam_env.html 

American Lifestyle As a Threat to Life Itself, Stan Moore http://usa.mediamonitors.net/content/view/full/30054

Animals in Islam, al-Hafiz B.A. Masri, http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/7368/an1.htm

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s Approach to the Environment, Irahim Idemir http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/bediuzzaman_said_nursis_approach_to_the_environment/

Broad Lines of the Islamic Approach to Environment Protection, Muhammad Yunus http://www.isesco.org.ma/pub/ISTD/Eng/20/P7.htm

The City Of Boughzoul – Algerian Model Low-Carbon City,  Moshe Terdiman http://muslimenvironment.wordpress.com/category/articles/the-city-of-boughzoul-%e2%80%93-algerian-model-low-carbon-city/

Climate Change at Crisis Level http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/opinion/16319129.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp

Climate Expert Says NASA Tried to Silence Him http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/29/science/earth/29climate.html?ei=5090&en=51c46d7689bee520&ex=1296190800&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

The Coming Resource Wars , Michael T. Klare http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/03/07/the_coming_resource_wars.php

Eco Islam Hits Zanzibar Fishermen http://thetruereligion.org/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=287

Ecology in Islam: Protection of the Web of Life a Duty for Muslims, By Dr. Hasan Zillur Rahim http://www.wrmea.com/backissues/1091/9110065.htm

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY IN ISLAM, TAM article collection http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/environment_ecology/

Environment and Values, S. Parvez Manzoor, http://www.islamonline.net/english/introducingislam/topic12.shtml

Environment in the eyes of Islam http://aquacool.blogspot.com/2003/12/environment-in-eyes-of-islam.html

Environmental Perspectives: Islam and Ecologism, Dr. Muzammal Hussain http://www.imase.org/content/view/55/35/

Environmental Ethics in Islam, By Abdur-Razzaq Lubis http://www.mandailing.org/Eng/envethicsislam.html

Environmental protection in Islam http://www.islamset.com/env/contenv.html

Environmental Responsibility Clear in Islamic Scriptures, Imam Zaid Shakir http://english.islammessage.com/articledetails.aspx?articleId=673
 
Filtering Out the Arsenic of Corruption, Hasan Zillur Rahim http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/filtering_out_the_arsenic_of_corruption/

Forever Interdependent: Man and Nature, Hwaa Irfan, http://www.islamonline.net/english/Science/2001/06/article2.shtml

Global Warming: Hotter, Faster, Worser John Atcheson http://www.countercurrents.org/cc-atcheson240206.htm

Guardians of the Natural Order, Fazlun Khalid http://ifees.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=56

In the Beginning of Creation Was Consciousness, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, http://www.hds.harvard.edu/news/bulletin/articles/nasr.html

Interfaith environmental group formed in Britain http://www.rferl.org/content/Religious_Leaders_Take_The_Lead_On_Environmental_Protection_/1869577.html

Is a Greener Islam Possible?, M. Aurangzeb Ahmed http://www.altmuslim.com/perm.php?id=P1893_0_24_0

Islam and Climate Change: Perspectives & Engagement, Dr Muzammal Hussain http://www.lineonweb.org.uk/Resources/reading.htm

Islam and Ecology, Frederick Denny, http://environment.harvard.edu/religion/religion/islam/  and http://ecologyandislam.wordpress.com/2010/01/03/islam-and-ecology-a-bestowed-trust-inviting-balanced-stewardship/

Islam and Ecology, Imam Tajuddin H. Alhilaly http://www.speednet.com.au/~keysar/ecology.htm

Islam and the Environment, Theory and Practice, Dr. Mawil Izzi Dien http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/islam_and_the_environment_theory_and_practice/

Islam and the environment, Hussein A. Amery http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-93950-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html

Islam and the environment http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503544990

Islam and the Environment,  Gar Smith http://www.islamawareness.net/Nature/environment.html

Islam and the Environment, Fazlun Khalid, http://www.ifees.org/islamEnviroment.pdf

Islam and Environmental Conservation http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/Fatwa/ShowFatwa.php?lang=E&Id=2997&Option=FatwaId

Islam and Ecology, Marjorie Hope & James Young, http://www.crosscurrents.org/islamecology.htm

Islam and the planet http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/re/science/iscareofplanetrev2.shtml

Islam, Environment and Sustainability: “The Environmental Crisis is also a Spiritual Crisis”, Eren Güvercin http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/islam_environment_and_sustainability_the_environmental_crisis_is_also_a_spi/

Islamic Conceptual Framework, S. Parvez Manzoor http://www.islamonline.net/english/Contemporary/2002/05/Article23.shtml

Islamic Declaration on Sustainable Development, http://environment.harvard.edu/religion/publications/statements/islam_statement.pdf

Islamic Environmental Ethics, Law, and Society, Mawil Y. Izzi Deen http://www.mbcru.com/Texas%20Tech%20Mypage/Conservation%20Biology/Assignment%202/IzziDeenIslamicEcol.pdf

Islamic Faith and the Environment, Hyder Ihsan Mahasneh http://www.arcworld.org/faiths.asp?pageID=75

Man and Ecology, an Islamic Perspective,  Atiya and Irshaad Hussain http://www.islamfrominside.com/Pages/Articles/Ecology%20Environment%20and%20Islam.html

Man and Ecology: An Islamic Perspective, M. Terdman http://muslimenvironment.wordpress.com/2010/04/04/man-and-ecology-an-islamic-perspective/

Morocco’s National Charter for Environment and Sustainable Development, Moshe Terdman http://muslimenvironment.wordpress.com/moroccos-national-charter-for-environment-and-sustainable-development-moshe-terdman/

Muslims embrace the environment http://muslimmedianetwork.com/mmn/?p=3499

Muslims Spearhead Environmental Efforts to Clean Up Cooks River in Sydney Australia http://muslimenvironment.wordpress.com/category/australia/muslims-spearhead-environmental-efforts-to-clean-up-cooks-river-in-sydney-australia/

New Approaches to Religions and the Environment, Muhammad Hyder Mahasneh, http://lnweb18.worldbank.org/ESSD/envext.nsf/48ByDocName/IslamicFaithStatementsonEcology/$FILE/FaithIslam2003Final.pdf

Practical Islamic Environmentalism: The application of Islamic environmental ethics to promote marine conservation in Zanzibar A case study http://ifees.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40&Itemid=55
Qur’an and the Environment, Karem Ghoneim, http://www.islamonline.net/english/Science/2000/4/article1.shtml

Significance of the environment in Islam, Akhtar Mahmood http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/archive/article.php?lang=E&id=46430

Spirituality and the Environment, Hasan Zillur Rahim http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/spirituality_and_the_environment/

Sufis Are Islam’s Eco Guardians http://muslimenvironment.wordpress.com/2010/04/04/sufis-are-islam%e2%80%99s-eco-guardians/

Sustenance and Accountability: Islam’s Views on the Environment, by Rahat Kurd http://www.perc.ca/PEN/1993-12-01/s-kurd.html

Thirst for Oil Threatens 1/5 of Earth’s Fresh Water http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-2074838,00.html

Towards an Islamic Jurisprudence of the Environment, Mustafa Abu-Sway, http://www.islamonline.net/english/Contemporary/2002/08/Article02.shtml

Towards an Islamic Theory of the Environment, Ziauddin Sardar, http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Spa/3879/environ.html

VIDEO: Global Warming, the Denial Machine http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article17138.htm

VIDEO: Climate Chaos http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article13511.htm

VIDEO: Global Dimming http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article15809.htm

Warmer Seas Will Wipe Out Plankton http://www.countercurrents.org/cc-connor200106.htm

Water Wars May Be Looming http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article348196.ece

ORGANIZATIONS

Alliance of religions and conservation http://www.arcworld.org/ — Islamic eco-news page http://www.arcworld.org/faiths.asp?pageID=112
Forum on Religion and Ecology http://environment.harvard.edu/religion/information/about/index.html
Green Muslims http://dcgreenmuslims.blogspot.com/
Green Sufi http://cyclewalabanda.blogspot.com/
Interfaith earth network http://www.interfaithearthnetwork.org/
Islamic Environmental Group of Wisconsin http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=join_change_the_world.showPledgeDriverDetails&cpd_id=7356
Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences http://www.ifees.org/
London Islamic Network for the Environment http://www.lineonweb.org.uk/Resources/reading.htm
Muslim Environment Watch http://muslimenvironment.wordpress.com/category/muslim-environmental-organizations/

SEE ALSO:  What everyone “knows” about Islam and Muslims - There is a long list of bigoted propaganda stating some “fact” that everyone “knows” which are all, quite simply, not facts at all.  These are claims that have no basis in fact, but are repeated over and over until most people just accept them as true.  They become memes and are transmitted like a virus from person to person.  You can find responses to hundreds of such claims here.  You can also click on any of the links included in this list of commonly repeated claims, and you will find an article that explains why that claim is false.