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This last month, Muslims, Christians, and Jews the world over have celebrated Ramadan, Easter, and Passover simultaneously – something that only happens about once every thirty years. In an op-ed for Arabian Business, Ms. Al Mubarak said:
“This period of collective spiritual introspection is a powerful reminder of a central tenet of all religions: compassion – going out of one’s way to show concern for and relieve the suffering of others. This Ramadan, I have spent much time thinking about the lessons that a call to compassion can provide in our shared fight against climate change and our charge as stewards of the earth.”
Citing historian Karen Armstrong, who found that all faiths have formulated their own version of what is sometimes called the Golden Rule — to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself — Ms. Al Mubarak said:
“As my homeland, the United Arab Emirates, prepares to host the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) this November, how can we use the lessons of these holy seasons to make compassion central to climate activism? How can the Golden Rule inspire us to empower and support the four billion people worldwide who are most vulnerable to the devastating impacts of climate change?”
Speaking about the families impacted by the recent floods in Pakistan and the on-going drought in Kenya, Ms. Al Mubarak insisted that “we must think of them as our own family,” adding:
“In my role as United Nations Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, one of my main goals is to increase the resilience of four billion people to the effects of climate change. The Race to Resilience campaign aims to transform urban slums into safe cities; equip smallholder farmers to adapt to climate threats; and protect homes and businesses against climate shocks. We’ve already made progress: the campaign has made 2.9 billion people more resilient to climate hazards.”
Read the full op-ed by Razan Al Mubarak on Arabian Business.