Today, we were delighted to host Farhana Mayer of Oxford University for an online discussion about faith responses to climate change.
Farhana’s new publication entitled ‘An Introduction to Qur’anic Ecology and Resonances with Laudato Si’’ presents Qur’an-based theological and ethical principles that are applicable to integral ecology and that can be referred to by Muslims in addressing the ethical, ecological and environmental issues faced today. The study demonstrates that significant common ground exists between Qur’anic and Catholic Social Teaching perspectives with regard to these themes, including perceptions of the natural world as a precious part of God’s creation; the interrelatedness of all creation; the understanding of humankind as the being in whom earth and spirit are conjoined; the need for divine guidance; and the need for people to manifest ethical care towards other humans, all living creatures and the earth itself.
Farhana Mayer is a Qur’anic Hermeneutics scholar and Research Affiliate at the Laudato Si’ Research Institute (LSRI). Farhana studied Arabic and Islamic studies, specialising in Qur’anic hermeneutics, at the University of Oxford, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She was formerly a lecturer in Sufism at the School of Oriental and African Studies (2010–2012) and at the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London, where she lectured in Qur’anic Exegesis and headed the Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities (2012–2015).