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| Thursday, 14 October 2004 |
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The move taken by the Government to declare October 15 as the national tree planting day is to be welcomed. At the rates the trees are cut down it calls for national awareness on this crisis. It is true that at one stage when population increased forests covered with trees were looked upon as obstacles to agriculture, commerce and industry, not least of all to expansion of human settlements. It is said that this situation led to the destruction of trees on a massive scale; but in the process no thought was given to the needs of the generations to come, the Ceylon Muslim Missionary Society said in a press release. It is relevant to point out that all great religions have accorded an important place for the protection of environment and planting of trees. For example Islam has exhorted Muslims to protect and preserve the environment by growing trees. It has been declared that unity trusteeship and accountability are three central concepts of Islam. These are also declared to be the pillars of environment ethics of Islam. It is stressed that they constitute the basic value in the Holy Quran. It is these values which led Prophet Muhammad, to proclaim "Whoever plants a tree diligently looks after it until it matures is rewarded" and "if a Muslim plants a tree and men, birds and beasts eat from it, all of it is a charity on his part". It is stressed that the notion of unity, trusteeship and accountability should not be reduced to matters of personal piety: they must guide all aspects of our life and work. If these values are cherished, followed in our daily life, all environmentally destructive thought and action which dominate the world would disappear. M. Thowfeeq Hassan Secretary General of the Ceylon Muslim Missionary Society said. |
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