On Tuesday, March 11, the Salaam Foundation team were invited to the Deloitte Mass Iftaar Programme. Salaam Foundation’s Azhar Vadi, was invited to present a talk on sustainable development and Islam. Muslims and people of other faiths participated with everybody keeping the Islamic fast for the day.
@salaam_foundation Salaam Foundation was invited to present a talk on sustainable development and Islam at the Delloite Mass Iftaar programme. Muslims and people of other faith participated with all keeping the Islamic fast for the day. It was heartwarming to hear some of the experiences of those fasting for the first time in their lives. #ramadan #Ramadhan #massiftaar #iftaar #fasting ♬ original sound – salaam_foundation
Here is the transcript of the speech.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, I am honoured to speak to you about a vital topic that bridges spiritual principles with practical action—sustainable development—and how these teachings from Islam resonate with the work being done by our organisation, Salaam Foundation, right here in South Africa.
Islam, as a way of life, provides clear guidance on how we should approach the care and use of our planet. The Quran, which is our holy book, teaches that we are Khulafa upon the earth.
Now for some, the word khilafah or Caliphate, may conjure up all sorts of negative connotations based on our exposure to a lifetime of media.
But what being a Khalifa upon the earth simply means is that we are stewards of the planets, entrusted by God Almighty to protect and maintain its resources.
Verse 30 chapter 2 of the Quran , God Almighty says, وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي ٱلْأَرْضِ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّيٓ أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُو “
And when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I am about to place a vicegerent on earth.’ They, the angels, said, ‘Will You place in it one who will cause corruption therein and shed blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?’ He, God, said, ‘Indeed, I know what you do not know,” meaning that humanity is responsible for managing the earth in a balanced, fair, and sustainable way.
This concept of stewardship, directs us to be mindful of how we interact with nature, ensuring that we preserve the environment for future generations. Islam also emphasises balance in all things. In the Quran, God, speaks of the natural world being in perfect harmony, and it is our duty to maintain that balance.
Sustainable development in Islam is rooted in the idea that we should not over consume, waste, or harm the environment but instead use its resources wisely and fairly, ensuring a balance between our needs and the earth’s capacity to provide.
This concept runs in direct opposition to the consumer culture of today, epitomised by fast food outlets serving battery bred chickens stuffed with salty water and growing under the most unnatural circumstances possible.
Or a world where the demand for digital gadgets drives global corporations to steal the lives of under-aged kids, using them as mine worker in in slave-like conditions to extract the minerals required to keep our phones and pc’s, alive. For one to live, another must die.
On the contrary, Islam encourages moderation and conservation. In Surah Al Araf, God commands, “Eat and drink, but do not be excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.” This teaches us that we must use resources in a way that does not harm the earth or other people.
Now, how do these principles relate to the work of the Salaam Foundation in South Africa?
We are a charitable organization focused on creating lasting, positive change in the lives of communities. Our work aligns to the values of social justice, compassion, and equity. We are deeply committed to empowering vulnerable communities, providing access to education, healthcare, and clean water, while promoting sustainable development practices. At the core of what we do in our sustainable farming programme. We currently run our own sheep and cattle farms. These animals are strictly pasture raised and grass fed and contribute to our 10 000 monthly meat meals to vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.
We have also setup up our own vegetable plantations of spinach, pumpkin and kale to further compliment our food packs. All our recipients also receive potatoes and onions every month.
The fact of the matter is that many South Africans simply do not have food on their tables. Hunger is the bottom line. We are a grossly unequal society. And yes it would be easy for us to provide people with the standard food hamper. Just visit the local Cash and Carry, package, deliver, take the pictures and feel good about ourselves.
But as a non-profit organisation, we have chosen a different trajectory. One that is sustainable and wholesome?
Have you ever asked, what impact does the high sugar and salt laced food products have on the people we are helping? Do we feel good if we take the charity of others that was supposed to make the world a better place and use that to support industries that are actually having a long term negative impact on the entire world? Do we continue unabated in the sytem of the world, or do we provide an alternative, a new paradigm? Do we work for a better world?
Much like the Quranic teachings, the Salaam Foundation ensures that their projects do not only address immediate needs but also work toward long-term solutions. We’ve now started training future farmers and have provided capital and equipment to allow our recipients to start their own farming enterprises.
Through careful mentoring and support we have seen a community member in the dusty Westrand mining township of Bekkersdal transform from having absolutely nothing to running a goat flock of over 70 animals. He has now entered the cattle game and registered his first born calf last month, taking his total animal tally to 4. For him, this is real tangible wealth, with exponential growth possibilities if managed correctly.
In Mountain View, Grasmere, Joburg South, we have empowered sister Maajida Pitso by setting up an urban garden under shade netting. Every afternoon she feeds 200 children through support from Salaam Foundation. This is possibly the children’s only meal for the day. The garden provides much of the vegetable content that is required for the daily meal.
Along with this she has now also started planting cash crops. The greatest challenge for her is however accessing a market. And this is where we as Salaam Foundation step in again. We’ve helped her set up and when the crop is ready we buy it back from her, sometimes at a price better than the market itself. In other words, she is now earning hard cash from the urban garden we have established. The purchased crop is then usd to feed another community.
This, my dear friends is sustainable development.
Salaam Foundation’s efforts in community development and our focus on improving the livelihoods of the marginalized aligns with the Islamic teachings of ensuring that wealth and resources circulate fairly, benefiting not only the rich but also those in need. And this is what for me, this month of Ramadan and fasting stands for.
Thank you.
