Religions and environmental protection in Kyrgyzstan

A local association conducted a survey among ministers of religion on their attention to ecological issues: almost all expressed strong concerns about behaviours that 32.1% attribute to the weakening of moral and religious values. A pilot training project on these issues for imams and madrasas is in the works.

Bishkek (AsiaNews) - The results of a study conducted as part of the project ‘Raising the level of climate education, information and activity among religious communities’ were presented in Bishkek.

The initiative was organised by the Kyrgyz environmental association Move Green together with Unitar, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, and the National Agency for Religious Affairs and Interethnic Relations under the Presidency of Kyrgyzstan.

The organisers note that climate change remains one of the most pressing challenges for the country, and that the ecological issue ‘fits organically into the Islamic value system’.

In their view, religious institutions can become significant partners for the state and social organisations in promoting climate literacy. Move Green manager Taazima Temirova said that during the survey, about 300 clergy members were interviewed, 94.7% of whom consider caring for creation a moral and religious duty.

86.8% of survey participants expressed strong concerns about the state of the natural environment, and 98% said they were willing to receive specific training on climate issues.

Over 80% noted that imams already address ecological issues in their sermons, mostly with calls for cleanliness and moderation. The organisers also point to the lack of methodological materials and the absence of systematic work in this direction.

According to 64.6% of the research participants, the main cause of ecological problems is the irresponsible relationship of human beings towards nature, and 32.1% attribute this drift to the decline in moral and religious values shared by international society.

The director of Move Green, Azat Muradyl, believes that the involvement of mosques and madrasas in ecological education can become a very effective tool for spreading a responsible approach to ecological issues and climate change in Kyrgyz society.

He therefore states that “our research has shown how religious leaders can truly be the best allies in this perspective of common growth”, as they guarantee trust, influence and moral authority, and understanding through religious faith “is accepted with greater depth and firmness than the directives of administrations”.

One example among many concerns the behaviour of citizens in Kyrgyzstan's most precious natural area, the mountains and lakes of Issyk-Kul, where it seems impossible to control access to the lake shores, which are used as free beaches, resulting in continuous ecological degradation and uncontrolled algae proliferation.

Despite all the signs, prohibitions and warnings of all kinds, irresponsible tourists arrive by car at the lake shores to spend the day, and only a strong warning from the imams could deter them more effectively.

As part of the Move Green pilot project, there are plans to train 60 Islamic ministers to promote a caring attitude towards the surrounding environment and nature in general, and the project will then be gradually extended to the whole republic, involving religious institutions.