Green Hajj Campaign: BUK launches Hausa guide for eco-conscious pilgrims
The Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Bayero University Kano (BUK) on Thursday launched the Hausa version of the Green Guide for Hajj and Umrah, as part of the Ummah For Earth Alliance’s 2025 Green Hajj Campaign.
The event, held at the university, brought together numerous participants, including Islamic scholars, academics, women’s groups, Hajj tour operators, media professionals, and intending pilgrims.
SolaceBase reports that the launch aimed to promote eco-friendly pilgrimage practices in accordance with Islamic teachings.
Campaigner and Global Outreach Coordinator for Ummah For Earth at Greenpeace MENA, Nouhad Awwad, described the initiative as a global effort to encourage sustainable pilgrimage across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Our theme is Renewing our oath: A Green Hajj across languages. By launching the guide in French, Turkish, Urdu, Hausa, and Dutch, we aim to demonstrate the collective power of Muslims in addressing the climate crisis, she said.
Awwad added that the launch of the Hausa version is a significant step in engaging African communities and reaching over 50 million Hausa speakers.
By making our resources more accessible, we’re empowering even more pilgrims to take climate-conscious actions during their sacred journey, she noted.
Professor Aliyu Salisu Barau of BUK’s Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences — a former dean and lead author with the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) — stressed the need for environmentally responsible pilgrimages.
Hajj rites take place in Makkah — a city that is both precious and environmentally fragile. The increasing number of pilgrims raises environmental concerns. We must now use resources consciously to preserve its sanctity, he said.
The Green Guide for Hajj and Umrah, developed by Global One, a member of the Ummah For Earth Alliance, was first published online in 2021. It provides practical recommendations for a greener pilgrimage and highlights Islamic teachings on environmental conservation.
During the event, organizers presented the guide to attendees and discussed how sustainability can be integrated into every aspect of the Hajj and Umrah journey.
