This article was published in the Kirkland Patch.
United Nations World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5th each year, serves as a global call to action for protecting the environment. In celebration of this day, the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim Community of Seattle organized a series of events aimed at reducing waste, recycling, upcycling, and safeguarding our planet.
Aligning with this year’s theme, "Our Land, Our Future," which emphasizes land restoration, combating desertification, and enhancing drought resilience, members of the Dawoodi Bohra community took the initiative to plant trees around their homes.
The Dawoodi Bohras also conducted a workshop on mindful decluttering, a practice that encourages individuals to thoughtfully and purposefully clear their physical spaces. “Mindful decluttering involves evaluating your possessions, releasing items that no longer serve a purpose, and organizing what remains,” explained Munira Miyaziwala. “It’s about creating a space that aligns with your goals, values, and overall well-being, rather than simply discarding things.”
During the workshop, participants explored various types of clutter—physical, digital, emotional, mental, social, time, and sentimental—and their impacts on mental and physical health. The workshop leaders provided practical tips for decluttering, such as sorting sentimental items, organizing documents, and making decluttering a regular habit.
"Having moved coast-to-coast, decluttering has always been a routine for our family,” said Ruqaiya Saifee, a member of the Seattle Dawoodi Bohra community. “This event educated us on where to look and how to declutter effectively, and changing our lifestyle to adopt a circular economy."
Participants were then encouraged to declutter their homes and donate unwanted items to a community sale. "Your Excess, Others' Essentials," was a virtual and in-person sale of donated items including electronics, books, toys, clothing, and housewares. Unsold items were donated to the local Goodwill.
The event underscored the community's dedication to environmental stewardship. For the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community, preserving and enhancing nature and its ecosystems are fundamental values of their faith.
