A Critical Evaluation of Abuja’s Environmental Protection Policies and Their Impact on Ordinary Residents: An Islamic Ethical Perspectives

Abstract

This study critically examines Abuja’s environmental protection policies, focusing on their impact on ordinary residents such as traders, petty traders, and roadside workers, through the lens of Islamic ethical principles. While these policies aim to address pressing environmental challenges and promote urban sustainability, their enforcement has often resulted in socioeconomic hardships for vulnerable groups, undermining their livelihoods and dignity. Drawing on Islamic ethical principles, including stewardship (khilāfah), justice ('adl), the prohibition of harm (idrār), and the protection of human dignity (karāmah), the research evaluates the extent to which these policies align with Islamic values. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study analyzes policy documents, conducts interviews with affected residents, and reviews relevant Islamic texts. The findings reveal significant gaps in policy implementation, highlighting a lack of inclusive measures and insufficient consideration for the socioeconomic realities of ordinary residents. The study underscores the potential for Islamic ethics to provide a balanced framework for environmental governance, ensuring that policies do not only protect the environment but also uphold social justice and human welfare. Recommendations are proposed for revising Abuja’s environmental policies to integrate Islamic ethical principles, fostering a more equitable and sustainable approach to urban management. This research contributes to the discourse on faith-based approaches to governance and advocates for the harmonization of environmental sustainability with ethical and social imperatives.