ISTANBUL (AP) — Muslim scholars and environmental advocates from about 20 countries have called for a global phaseout of greenhouse gas emissions by midcentury, joining a chorus of religious leaders urging the world to take strong action against global warming.
Participants in a seminar in Istanbul said it was the first declaration of its kind from Islamic leaders, a voice many say has been missing from the debate on global warming.
About 60 delegates adopted the declaration Tuesday at the end of the seminar, including leading clerics from Indonesia, Uganda, Lebanon and Bosnia.
However, some influential Islamic leaders were absent, including Turkey’s top cleric, who didn’t even send a representative.
Organizers said the declaration was “in harmony” with Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change and other environmental issues earlier this year.
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