Ibrahim Ozdemir*
Introduction: Why faith matters in the fight for the environment
Imagine growing up in a place where you could drink water straight from the stream and see wild animals roaming free. That was my childhood in southeastern Turkey. But today, my grandchildren live in a different world — one where nature is distant, often limited to TV documentaries and visits to the zoo.
This dramatic change isn't just about nostalgia. It's a sign of deeper environmental problems that only impact everyone. As a muslim, I see caring for the environment not just as a scientific or political issue but also as a moral and spiritual responsibility.
This idea isn't new. Religious leaders like Pope Francis and Said Nursi, a renowned muslim thinker, both offer powerful insights on the environment. Although they come from different traditions, they share a belief that faith can guide us in protecting our planet.
The big problems we all face
Climate change, deforestation, and pollution aren't just environmental issues. They are tied to social problems like inequality, hunger, and even conflict. Economist Anthony Atkinson says that inequality is one of the biggest threats worldwide — and environmental damage exacerbates it.[1]
So, how do we respond? Religion offers values like compassion, justice, and responsibility that science and policy alone can't provide. This is where voices like Pope Francis and Said Nursi become especially important.
From consuming to praising: A new way of seeing the world
In his 2015 letter Laudato Si' (Praise be to you my Lord), Pope Francis calls for a 'paradigm shift' — a new way of thinking about the Earth. Instead of viewing nature as a collection of resources to be used, he asks us to see it as a gift that deserves respect and praise.[2]
This echoes the teachings of Said Nursi. Writing almost a century earlier, Nursi believed that everything in nature reflects the Creator. Trees, animals, rivers — all are signs of God's generosity. And just like we say 'thank you' for a gift, Nursi believed we should thank God by protecting and cherishing the natural world.[3]
What It means to care for 'our common home'
Pope Francis often refers to Earth as 'our common home.'[4] He reminds us that our selfish lifestyles — driven by overconsumption and waste — are harming the planet and disproportionately affecting people with low incomes. He challenges us to see ourselves as stewards, not owners, of the Earth. This means using resources wisely, living a simple life, and protecting the natural world for future generations.
Nursi taught similar values. He believed that everything in the universe belongs to God, and humans have a duty to care for it responsibly. Whether it's sharing food with animals or warning against killing flies, Nursi's life showed deep respect for all creatures — big and small.[5]
Unity through faith: working together across religions
Both Pope Francis and Said Nursi believed that environmental challenges require global cooperation, transcending borders, faiths, and ideologies.
The Pope calls for 'a new and universal solidarity,' urging everyone — not just Christians — to take action.[6] Nursi, decades earlier, talked about Muslims and Christians coming together to defend shared values like justice, compassion, and caring for creation.[7]
These leaders weren't just dreamers — they took concrete action. Nursi sent his writings to the Vatican and met with Christian leaders.[8] Pope Francis continues to engage with people of all faiths, inspiring interfaith environmental efforts.
Nursi's life: A personal connection with nature
Nursi wasn't an armchair philosopher. He lived close to nature and saw every creature as part of God's message. From feeding ants and cats to defending the lives of flies and mosquitoes, he treated animals with deep empathy and compassion.[9]
He believed that even the smallest creatures have value and purpose. Killing them without reason, he said, was morally wrong. He saw nature not as random or mechanical, but as a divine book, a message from God to be read with care and awe.
Seeing the earth as a sacred book
Both Pope Francis and Said Nursi speak of nature as more than just scenery. For them, it's a spiritual text — full of signs pointing to God.
Nursi used metaphors like trees being 'words' and forests being 'paragraphs' in the 'book of the universe'.[10] Just like we wouldn't tear pages from a sacred text, he believed we must not destroy nature. He also saw a balance in nature — no waste, no excess. From this, he taught that humans should live frugally and gratefully, avoiding greed and overconsumption.
Earth as home: Finding meaning and responsibility
Pope Francis and Nursi both viewed the Earth not just as a place to live, but as a home filled with meaning. Nursi compared the universe to a house built with care by a wise architect, where everything has a purpose.[11] To destroy the environment, then, is like damaging our shared home and insulting its Creator. Both leaders urge us to treat the Earth with reverence, not just for our own sake, but as a moral duty.
Conclusion: A wake-up call for people of faith
This is more than just a comparison of two religious figures. It's a call to action. In their own ways, Pope Francis and Said Nursi show us how faith can inspire a deeper, more compassionate relationship with the Earth. They remind us that protecting the environment isn't just about science, technology, or policy. It's about gratitude, humility, and moral courage. Their messages challenge us to ask: How will future generations remember us? What kind of planet will we leave behind?
* Dr Ibrahim Ozdemir is a professor of philosophy and environmental ethics at Üsküdar University in Istanbul, Turkey. Currently, he serves as vice president for academic affairs at the American Islamic college in Chicago. His work explores the intersection of religion, ecology, and sustainability, with a focus on Islamic environmental thought. A prominent voice in interfaith and environmental dialogues, Dr. Ozdemir has contributed to the drafting of the Islamic Climate Change Declaration and al-Mizan: A covenant with the earth, and has collaborated with international organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme. He is also the author of numerous publications on Said Nursi's ecological philosophy and the moral foundations of environmental responsibility. [Originally published in the International Journal of the Asian Philosophical Association (Vol. 13, Issue 1, January 2020). To read the full article, visit: <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344824206>]
[1] Antony B Atkinson, Inequality: What Can Be Done? Harvard University Press, 2015,1-2.
[2] Pope Francis, 'Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home', The Holy See, 24 May 2015 <https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/pt/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.ht> on 27 November 2025.
[3] Said Nusri, The Letters, translated by Şükran Vahide, Sözler Publications, 2001,428.
[4] Pope Francis, 'Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home', The Holy See, 24 May 2015 <https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/pt/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.ht> on 27 November 2025.
[5] Said Nusri, The Flashes, translated by Şükran Vahide, Sözler Publications, 2009,393.
[6] Pope Francis, 'Laudato Si': On care for our common home', The Holy See, 24 May 2015 <https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/pt/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.ht> on 27 November 2025.
[7] Thomas Michel, Insights from the Risale-i Nur: Said Nursi's Advice for Modern Believers, Tughra Books, 2013, 32-33.
[8] Michel, Insights from the Risale-i Nur: Said Nursi's Advice for Modern Believers, 33.
[9] Nusri, The Flashes, translated by Şükran Vahide, 393.
[10] Nusri, The Letters, translated by Şükran Vahide, 428.
[11] Said Nusri, The Words, translated by Şükran Vahide, Sözler Publications, 2008, 70-71.
