"Islamic leaders from around the globe tomorrow will unveil a declaration calling on the world's 1.6 billion Muslims to embrace climate change action as part of their religious duty.

Activists gathering in Istanbul for the event said that just as Pope Francis declared climate change essential to the Catholic faith, they hope Islamic religious scholars can inspire Muslim communities to make the issue a priority.

'Islam is very strong on environmental protection,' said Wael Hmaidan, director of Climate Action Network International, who is helping to organize the declaration."

Lisa Friedman reports for ClimateWire August 17, 2015. [2]