by Tasmiha Khan This story was originally published at Prism. Coverage of the fight against climate change in the U.S. often ignores the efforts of Muslim activists, for whom caring for the environment is a religious obligation. However, Muslims have been among those urgently calling for greater conservation efforts and more sustainable policies, both nationally and within their own communities. Most recently, this commitment to environmental justice has been reflected by Muslims’ involvement in the Anishinaabe-led efforts to protest the construction of Line 3 (L3), a massive pipeline project in Northern Minnesota by Canadian oil giant Enbridge Energy. Muslims have joined Indigenous-led protest efforts like tree-sitting and locking themselves into construction equipment to prevent and slow pipeline construction. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, an environmental justice advocate who identifies as a Muslim and has roots in Minnesota as a congressmember, has also passionately opposed Line 3. While protests against the pipeline have attracted media attention, there’s been little to no mention of Muslims’ involvement or why Muslim activists see defending Indigenous land rights and a commitment to environmentalism as natural extensions of their faith. Read more