To Restore the Spiritual Jihad for the Environment (UN Climate Change Conference)

What does “jihad” truly mean in the context of environmental responsibility? At COP22 in Marrakech, Imam Ibrahim Saidy of the Islamic Council of Norway and the Daru Salaam Centre explores the concept of spiritual jihad — the inner struggle for moral and spiritual discipline — and its restoration as a framework for environmental action. Rather than the commonly misunderstood connotations often associated with the term, Imam Saidy reclaims “jihad” in its authentic sense: a personal, spiritual striving toward righteousness, which he applies directly to humanity’s responsibility toward the Earth. He argues that restoring this spiritual struggle within Islamic practice can serve as a powerful motivator for genuine environmental stewardship, reframing ecological care as a core expression of faith and inner discipline rather than an external obligation. His remarks offer an important Islamic theological perspective on environmental responsibility at the UN summit. Viewers interested in related themes can also check out a companion video on the spiritual root of climate change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFYf4pwj0JU&t=14s