Environment which includes
lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere is the basic components of geographical
studies. Man while exploiting natural resources injudiciously, has thrown the world into
global warming, depletion of ozone layer, acidification, pollution, etc. compounding to
environmental deterioration and ecological imbalance and thus, endangering the very
survival of mankind.
The philosophy of Islam
rejects improper use of natural resources and promotes ‘need-based’ exploitation
of resources. Had the world’s resources been exploited on the Islamic ethical
principle, the present environment crisis would have been avoided and a healthy
environment for the future generation would have been created.
Environment issues may be
studied under the following sub-headings:
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Atmospheric pollution, water contamination
and landslides.
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Sustainability of environment with reference
to renewable and non-renewable resources.
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Deforestation and desertification-emphasis
on Muslim countries.
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Environmental hazards – floods,
droughts, earthquakes.
The most fascinating area
of geographical analysis is demographic issues. Issues such as population growth, sex
ratio, Muslim concentration and women problems of Muslim communities are misunderstood in
many parts of the world. Geographers while using demographic techniques will be able to
examine population problems and would provide not only a suitable model to the world in
the light of Islamic system of believe but also to remove the wrong notions of Islamic
perspective on population. The demographic study may include the following aspects:
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Demographic structure, fertility, mortality,
sex-ratio and population growth.
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Demographic transition and deputation
problems and migrations.
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Spatial distribution – rural and urban.
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Muslim women issues – dowry, divorce,
work participation, and social justice.
A number of social problems
– including caste, creed and religions discrimination, and economic disparity,
employment, poverty, etc. are encountered by the people throughout the world in general
and Muslims in particular. Illiteracy poverty, group conflicts, lack of leadership are
commonly associated with the Muslim countries, in many parts of the world. The
geographical study would be of great use in analyzing these issues both in terms of space
and time.
These issues may be studied
under the following groups:
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Patterns of literacy and educational
attainments.
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Poverty, hunger and crime patterns.
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Malnutrition, deficiency and communicable
diseases.
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Implications of religious conversion –
with reference to Islam.
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Communal wars, Shia –Sunni tensions and
group clash.
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Muslim work force – Agriculture,
mining, industries, others.
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Impact of agricultural and industrial
innovations on Muslim countries.
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Economic development and quality of life.
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Unemployed youths – and child labour
among the Muslim communities
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Role of Muslim geographers in the
development of geographical concepts with reference to Arab geographical concepts with
reference to Arab geographers.
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Geo-politics in the formation of Muslim
Republics in Central Asia.
-
General election and response of Muslims in
India.
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