Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today called for sincere practice of social responsibility to achieve the Three Zeros-zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions-target. She addressed leaders from across the Muslim world on the urgent need to tackle poverty, joblessness, and environmental degradation through genuine social business models.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizwana spoke as the chief guest at the International Social Business Summit (ISBS) 2025: NGO Leadership for the Three Zeros in the Muslim World, emphasizing the importance of putting ethical principles into action. “What we need most is not just uttering values, but practicing them,” she said. The summit was held at Hotel Bengal Blueberry in Gulshan, Dhaka.
Adviser Rizwana urged the global community to challenge ultra-capitalism, which she stated has severely damaged natural resources and created deep inequities. She warned, “If we don’t correct our current models of op
eration, we won’t be able to save the planet. Many countries will go underwater by the end of this century, and entire civilisations will disappear.”
She further stressed the urgent need to rethink consumption patterns and differentiate between real needs and overconsumption, stating, “We must redefine necessity versus excess-and we must stop wars, permanently.” Drawing on Islamic values, she pointed out that the roots of social business align with Islamic teachings. “Islam calls for action, not just preaching. It speaks clearly against inequity, and the idea of social business is not to profit by creating misery. It is about earning with the intention of giving back, not hoarding wealth.”
Rizwana lamented the lack of a unified voice from the Muslim world during humanitarian crises, questioning why many Muslim countries remain silent when innocent Palestinians are being killed. “Brotherhood without moral courage is meaningless,” she added. She praised the Islamic system of Zakat as a powerful, time-tested m
odel for equitable wealth distribution, contrasting it with modern taxation systems.
She called for broader human unity, stating, “We are not supposed to hate or discriminate. We are meant to speak from compassion, embrace diversity, and value all communities.” The summit featured several prominent figures, including Prof. Dr. Halis Yunus Ersöz, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Trkiye; Prof. Dr. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor, North South University and Chairman, Board of Directors, Grameen Bank; among others.
The summit served as a powerful platform to foster collaboration among Muslim nations to lead global efforts toward equity, sustainability, and justice.