Meet the man urging mosques to go plastic-free over Ramadan

A campaigner from Fishponds is encouraging mosques to boycott single-use plastics in a bid to promote sustainability over the course of Ramadan.

During the month-long observance, Muslims fast from dawn till sunset until they are given the Iftar meal. For this, it is common practice to use plastic knives, forks, spoons, plates, cups and water bottles to feed congregants as they break their daily fast.

To combat this large wastage, Naseem Talukdar together with local Muslim organisation Bristol Muslim Strategic Leadership Group (BMSLG) are urging mosques to implement a more eco-friendly Iftar this year.

Talukdar says that it is common for mosques to rely on plastic to dish out meals during Ramadan – photo: Naseem Talukdar

In collaboration with the BMSLG, ‘Plastic-Free Ramadan’ aims to empower muslim communities in Bristol, and beyond, to explore plastic-free alternatives during the holy month.

BMSLG has a dedicated Environment Task Group which promotes the stewardship of our surroundings by running projects in Bristol to make lasting positive change.

BMSLG’s mission is to support and challenge Muslims in Bristol to reduce single-use plastic throughout this Ramadan – image: BMSLG

“I started this journey a few years back. My aim was to raise awareness as well as empower small businesses, especially takeaways and restaurants, to reduce the amount of single-use plastic they consumed,” said Talukdar, founder of the Plastic Pollution Awareness and Actions Project.

The campaigner added: “I saw that Asian cuisines use a really excessive amount of plastic, and wondered how do we can reduce it.

“I also noticed there’s a lot of plastic used in the mosque during Ramadan. People are fasting all day, but breaking their fast in the evening in the time of Maghrib and sharing a meal together.”

Talukdar runs workshops to educate communities on plastic usage in Bristol, on a mission to spread the word about sustainability encourage them to explore alternatives – like refill stations, dishwashers and recycling.

Talukdar runs workshops through the community aiming to change people’s relationship with the environment – photo: Naseem Talukdar

Although there is an intrinsic connection between Islam and environmentalism, Talukdar said there is more to be done to raise awareness about plastic usage in muslim communities.

“In Islam, supporting your environment and your planet is one of the very key messages, but has never really been explored in mosques”, he explained.

“Everything I am learning about points to the responsibility we have towards the environment, our animals, biodiversity and the whole ecosystem. But I am surprised that when I grew up, none of the mosque ever told me about it.”

He first launched a polio project in Fishponds by introducing reusable crockery, cups, bottles and cutlery into a mosque there, calling the experience “a challenging learning curve, but one where we managed to save a lot of plastic.”

Now, as mosques are once-again embracing Ramadan as restricted have lifted, including serving food and breaking fast, Talukdar is renewing his mission.

He said: “I’m trying to empower people to make changes and decide what will work for them – as each mosque has varying levels of facilities, equipment and understanding. But even if they take one small action this year, it will be a great achievement and bring about momentum into these communities.”

Talukdar hopes the changes made will improve Ramadan for years to come – photo: Naseem Talukdar

All photos: Naseem Talukdar

Read more: Booklet shines a light on muslims in Bristol and beyond

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: