Muslim Students undertake an ecological outdoor learning field trip.
As part of its efforts to raise environmental awareness and reconnect minoritised community groups to the environment, the Sheffield Environmental Movement on September 1, 2024, in collaboration with the Jamia Masjid Ghausia Mosque, Firth Park organised an outdoor learning field trip to Cambridge Central Mosque for 43 students and 8 teachers. Rationale for the trip is because the young people were keen to learn but also see physically the ecological design of the Mosque having read about it’s ecological design, but above all, saw this as an opportunity to learn about why and how the architecture of buildings need to be designed ecologically in the wake of the climate crisis.
The young people were taking on tour of the Mosque built from wood and provided with detailed explanations about its innovative design as an environmentally friendly building in UK and Europe. Speakers explained how the mosque uses sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems shared insights into the source of water used at the mosque and how grey water & rainwater is harvested to flush WCs and irrigate the flowers/plants in the garden. Additionally, how the mosque’s beautiful skylights were designed to maximise natural light not only illuminates the prayer hall but also reduces the need for artificial lighting as energy saving and thus further contributing to its eco-conscious approach. The building’s carbon footprint – which is already low – will improve over time as the main electricity from renewable sources becomes more available.
It was clear from the feedback that the combination of educational content, serene surroundings, and thoughtful architecture left a lasting impression on everyone thus motivating some of them to want to consider pursuing courses in architecture. The relaxed atmosphere made the trip both enjoyable and enlightening, with ample opportunities for reflection and discussions among the students. The students were also taken on a guided walk around the University of Cambridge where they were told about its history as a powerful institution of learning in the world.
SEM’s Founder/CEO who accompanied the students noted that initiatives such as this outdoor learning field trip is a very powerful way of exposing and motivating minoritised community groups especially young people to learn about becoming stewards of the environment. He noted that considering all students were of British-Asian background and taking into account the rising demographics made it important and necessary to work to engage with people from all sectors of our society to become active citizens of the environment.
The CEO is of the view that this outdoor learning field will inspire the students to want to participate actively in the environment and to consider pursuing studies in other environmental careers. He noted that the environmental sector as the second least diverse sector only after farming should support initiatives that engage minoritised individuals to view the sector as a space that they would want to be part of and contribute to a more ecologically sustainable society.