Activities
IAA is modeled based on the Islamic Guilds of the past but without an attachment to a certain creed, sheikh or tariqa. Indeed, these Islamic Guilds were formed based on the religious precepts and most of them had sheikhs. They made it possible for their members to practice Islam every moment they spent in their profession. Their intentions, practices, aspirations, standards and economic activity were all governed by Islamic principles. IAA will not go into this route, but rather consult various religious scholars for the matters of certain relevant religious practices such as prayers or intentions. It is not possible to be fair explaining the depth of Islamic Guilds here in few sentences, but for those interested there are plenty of resources to consult. Essentially, IAA will aspire to create a venue for the agricultural practitioners to live and practice their religion in their profession and improve their connection to the natural world and ultimately to Allah.
Islamic Guilds also strived to train the best and most dependable professionals, resulting in best and highest quality products. As such, IAA will also strive to make Muslim agricultural practitioners the best agronomists, farmers, extensionist and workers. The most fundamental idea with the IAA is to enable the agricultural practitioners to integrate Islam with their practice and professions.
The activities will require in-depth consultation with religious scholars and study of practices of Islamic Guilds. Activities will have to account for the different needs of the various groups such as, farmers and gardeners, researchers, agronomists and extensionists There will be several activities that are interconnected:
- Creation of guidelines and recommendations for various agricultural practitioners. This activity is an ongoing activity that will perhaps take several years to achieve. Some of the Islamic guilds consider their rules and regulations as a “tree, whose roots (Allah) stand for God's Uniqueness, the branches (prophecy) for truth, purity, the covenant and its fulfilment, the leaves (sainthood) for good manners and modesty, while the fruits represent the munificent taste of mystical knowledge of God”.
- Technical/spiritual training of agricultural practitioners. These trainings will mostly be on a certain farm where ecological practices are already being practiced. The program will vary with space and time but there will always be emphasis on alternative perspective of observing natural interactions and nutrient cycling, emphasizing Allah’s artistry and Mizan (balance) in the natural order
- Collaborating with existing training venues such as Permaculture Institute will also be important activity. Several individuals have already been conducting such meetings and trainings. Their collaboration will be sought.
- Retreats for non-professionals: Retreats will be organized for people who are interested in food production and consumption from an agroecological perspective.
- Interreligious events: Other faith groups will be contacted and collaborative faith-based agricultural events will be organized.