Adult Education Series

Foundations of Creation: Air

Nazir Khan will discuss how his Muslim faith and connection to his motherland inform and drive his work on “Air.” From the very sounds of the divine force (“Allah”) and the soul (“Ruh”), air and breath are central to Islamic practice and spirituality. Indian spiritual teachers have taught us to use breath to maintain equanimity and mindfulness through practices such as Anapanasati and Pranayama.

Breath is the constant rhythm and drumbeat of life, and if it is blocked for even a moment, we suffocate. Air is usually invisible and taken for granted, yet if we breathe in poisoned air, we may not recognize its damage until years later, as is happening to those who live near the HERC (Hennepin Energy Recovery Center) trash burner in downtown/North Minneapolis. But air is definitely felt during heat waves. As these heat waves increasingly cause mass casualty events in India, my work is also driven by concern and love for my motherland and people.

About Nazir Khan

Nazir Khan is an Indian American environmental justice leader with roots in Minnesota, New York, Kerala, and Lucknow, India. He co-led the formation of the Minnesota Environmental Justice Table, where he is helping build and weave together a growing movement led by frontline communities toward a regenerative, caring, and sustainable society—and against the sacrifice of these communities for profit. He has been involved in the climate, labor, anti-war, and HIV/AIDS movements for almost 20 years.