For thousands of years, people have used environmentally friendly materials to create clothing that is not only functional but also exquisite symbols of culture, identity, and self-expression.
Contrary to popular belief, "sustainable fashion" did not originate in the punk and hippie movements of the mid-1960s and early 1970s. The 1960s saw the start of the counterculture movement, which questioned mass production and pushed for a return to handmade, natural goods. This movement gradually raised awareness of the effects of the global apparel industry on both people and the environment in the West. But as is always the case, the industrial revolution and the "enlightenment" were not the beginning of history.
As Muslims, we could characterize eco-friendly clothing as a manifestation of Taqwa, or awareness of God. It is responsibility and awareness of the positive and negative effects of how our clothing is produced, handled, and inherited.
When thinking about how sustainable our clothing is, it's critical to comprehend the intricate and disastrous consequences that the global fashion industry has on both people and the environment. Out of the 75 million workers in garment factories worldwide, less than 2% earn a livable wage. These workers put their personal safety and health at risk while enduring widespread mistreatment and exploitation, putting in up to 16 hours a day, seven days a week. 51 countries have been reported to use child labor in the garment industry, indicating the prevalence of child labor, and slave labor is labour is shockingly suspected being used in the production of $147.9 billion worth of garments and $12.7 billion worth of textiles imported by G20 countries each year.
The excessive production and consumption of fashion is having a disastrous effect on the environment. According to a McKinsey and Company study, the fashion industry is predicted to use up resources equal to two Earths by 2030, as demand for apparel is expected to rise by 63%. Eight to ten percent of the world's carbon emissions, twenty percent of its waste water, and an unparalleled microplastic and chemical pollution crisis that is disrupting our food chain and water systems are all caused by the fashion industry.
The genocide in Gaza has made many of us focus on the systemic and interconnected nature of injustices worldwide. It has made us more aware of the true price of our consumerist lifestyles, which are based on taking advantage of the weak and defenseless around the world. We are trying to boycott and penalize companies that support genocide, so we have started to reevaluate how we spend our money. Numerous individuals are making the connection and concluding that it's time to remove ourselves from these harmful international industries that are not only ruining the planet but also our connection to the Creator.