Among the inspiring nominees for the 2025 AMCF Women’s Giving Circle, Green Muslims stands out as a trailblazer weaving together faith, environmental education, and community empowerment.
The organization’s journey began in Ramadan 2007, when a small group of Washington, DC-based Muslims gathered on the National Mall for a zero-waste potluck iftar—dubbed a “leftar” for its focus on using leftovers and reducing waste. What started as a grassroots effort to raise awareness of global environmental issues in the Muslim community grew into a movement, and by 2015, Green Muslims had become a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Our Deen is Green
For more than 18 years, Green Muslims has worked to educate American Muslims about the importance of environmental connection, awareness, and activism in Islam. Through community hikes, trash cleanups, speaker sessions, and educational programming, the organization invites Muslims to embrace environmental care as a form of spiritual devotion.
Its flagship initiative, Our Deen is Green! (ODIG!), models the Meaningful Watershed Education Experience (MWEE), a national standard for hands-on environmental learning. This program brings children and parents together to explore local ecosystems, learn how watersheds function, and engage in small service projects such as Potomac River cleanups or invasive plant removal.
“The program provides a hands-on opportunity to learn about and help nature… and an introduction to Islamic teachings about humankind’s interconnectedness with it.”
ODIG! weaves core Islamic concepts throughout its lessons—khalifa (stewardship of the earth), ayat (signs of God in nature), and mizan (balance)—reminding participants that environmental care is an act of worship and moral responsibility.
Expansion
Since Sevim Kalyoncu became Executive Director in 2018, Green Muslims has expanded its impact through new programs including From the Ground Up! Adult Outdoor Education Program, Spirituality in Nature, and Khalifa Conversations (developed with Green Ramadan). Each fosters deeper reflection on how environmental action connects to deen and equips community members to lead change locally.
The first From the Ground Up! program, running from April 2024 to June 2025, proved to be a milestone achievement. Supported by the National Park Service through Chesapeake Gateways, it provided Muslim American adults an opportunity to link environmental awareness directly with their faith and civic engagement.
“The intention… was to create an extended environmental education program for Muslim American adults that would help them connect environmental awareness and activism directly to their deen.”
Over the years, Green Muslims has received every environmental education grant it has applied for, with support from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Islamic Relief USA, the National Park Service, and the Mind & Life Institute. Yet like many small nonprofits, the organization now faces the challenge of sustaining its work beyond grants.
Challenges
After November 2024, its dependence on grant funding became increasingly difficult to maintain. While Green Muslims had been preparing to set up payroll for multiple part-time employees, the leadership recognized the need to build long-term stability and develop fundraising capacity.
“We now need basic support to maintain our organization and build alternative fundraising skills.”
The organization’s immediate goals are both financial and structural. It is strengthening its board of directors—encouraging members to take active roles in fundraising and outreach—and inviting alumni of From the Ground Up! to help guide its next phase. To increase visibility, Green Muslims is also seeking an intern to manage its social media and digital communications, and a grant from a consulting group is supporting the development of a new strategic plan.
Without additional seed funding for staff, however, much of the organization’s energy remains focused on keeping operations afloat. Despite these challenges, Green Muslims continues to embody faith in action—reminding communities that environmental stewardship is not just a social cause, but an expression of spiritual integrity and care for creation.
Looking Ahead
As Green Muslims moves into its next chapter, the organization is planting the seeds for long-term growth—expanding its reach, building stronger partnerships, and deepening its community roots. Its work demonstrates how small, faith-driven initiatives can spark national conversations on sustainability, social justice, and spiritual ecology.
From a zero-waste iftar on the National Mall to leading nationally recognized outdoor education programs, Green Muslims continues to prove that when faith meets action, transformation follows. Its story is a testament to the power of vision, persistence, and the belief that nurturing the earth is part of nurturing the soul.
To learn more or support this inspiring organization, visit www.greenmuslims.org or their Candid nonprofit profile. Follow @green_muslims on Instagram and Green Muslims on Facebook for updates.
Learn more about all of our remarkable 2025 AMCF Women’s Giving Circle nominees here: 2025 Nominees