Day 21: Planting peace

"If the Day of Judgement erupts while you are planting a new tree, carry on and plant it."  Hadith

I didn't realize that planting trees is so valued in Islam.  As the above saying of Prophet Muhammad makes clear, even if the Day of Judgement arrives when you're in the middle of planting a tree, continue planting.  Another saying of the Prophet says that when an animal or person eats from a tree that you've planted, that is an act of charity for you.

Today, Zayd and I made "peace tree" cards.  We used the beautiful treeless paper we had bought this summer at a women's cooperative in Morazan, El Salvador.   We stamped each card with a colorful tree and added peace sign stickers as leaves.  The card serves as a gift -- the gift of ten trees being planted in Kenya.   The message on the inside reads: " To celebrate this occasion, ten trees have been planted in your honor by the Green Belt Movement", and includes a quote from GBM founder and Nobel Peace laureate Wangari Maathai, "When we plant trees, we plant the seeds of peace and the seeds of hope. And we secure our children's future."  100% of the proceeds from selling the cards go directly to GBM.  Zayd started making peace tree cards on his ninth birthday.  His goal is to help plant 1000 trees by his 10th birthday. So if you're looking for just the right Eid gift, consider a peace tree card! Day 21: Deed 21: Planting peace.

http://www.greenbeltmovement.org/blog/entry.php?id=193