Choosing an Eco-Friendly Iftar: British Mosques ban plastic during Ramadan

Mosques across Britain are banning the use of plastics during the holy month of Ramadan to promote a more environmentally friendly month of fasting, Metro reported.

Mosques across Britain are banning the use of plastics during the holy month of Ramadan to promote a more environmentally friendly month of fasting, Metro reported.

“It was estimated that our mosque distributes an average of 800 to 1,000 bottles every evening in Ramadan, which generates a shocking amount of plastic waste,” informed a spokesperson of Green Lane Mosque in Birmingham which decided to announce a plastic ban for this year’s Ramadan.

It’s estimated that the UK uses 13 billion plastic bottles a year, 7.7 billion of which are water bottles. As a result, many British mosques have implemented the eco-friendly iftar campaign this year, where Muslims break their fast, by distributing reusable cutlery and water bottles.

With this in mind, Green Lane Mosque decided not to issue plastic water bottles to their congregation. Instead, it has decided to purchase reusable bottles that will be sold at a subsidized cost to the congregation and has also installed water fountains to act as filling stations.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) is encouraging more mosques and Muslims to join the campaign. York Mosque announced its no single-use plastics policy last night, distributing reusable plastic bottles. Harun Khan, Secretary General of MCB, is keen for more mosques to join the campaign for a plastic-free Ramadan.

“We’re glad therefore that many mosques are leading the way by banning plastics at mosques. The MCB hopes many more will get involved and ensure their congregations opt for an eco-friendly approach. We all must play our part in protecting the Earth,” Khan hopes.