Combining a German Muslim Identity with Environmentalism

The Case of Hima

Abstract

This research aims to identify and discuss the religious sources of the Islamic German environmental organization Hima. Furthermore, it illustrates how Hima fills a spiritual gap by constructing a German Muslim identity with environmentalism. Since no national teaching or methodology in environmental theory has been designed specifically for Muslims in Germany, the sources for Islamic environmentalism can all be found in transnational currents. By appropriating influences and ideas that transnational networks provide from a broad spectrum of times and places, Hima has formed its own spiritual approach to eco-Islam. The main sources inspiring the religious framework of Hima come from classical Islamic environmental theological and contemporary initiatives. Among the key theological contributions are Nasr’s philosophical approach and the more contemporary approach presented in Green Deen.