What will you be doing for the Strikes?
Together with my local group, Fossil Free Bengkulu, we’re going to hold a protest from the main road to the regional government office, featuring art and a mural.
What has your role been in getting ready for the event?
I’ve been in charge of contacting other organizations and groups and asking them to take part.
Photo: AC Dimatatac
How does your faith influence your organizing?
As a Muslim, I think it’s very important – there are verses in the Koran highlighting our responsibility to protect nature. Some religious leaders talk about this in lectures during sermons. There are coal plants being built in special places in my province, and the leaders who are aware of this and other environmental damage question why we would do such damage to the earth and our communities.
But at the same time, it’s difficult – we don’t take direct political action as Muslims specifically, because in my country, a movement through religion can risk causing dangerous conflict.
Photo: AC Dimatatac
What else influenced you to get involved in the Climate Strike?
I love nature, and growing up I’ve always adventured into the forest and climbed nearby mountains. But one day, I climbed up and found the forest was gone. This motivated me to do something about the climate crisis and the coal plants still being developed in Indonesia. So I joined the local group and starting coordinating our local event.
Millions of people of various faiths, countries, ages, occupations and experiences are getting ready for the global Climate strikers September 20-27. Join them.