Veganism in the Arab World – Middle East

In the Arab world, the concept of veganism is often confused. Many people do not understand why someone would adopt a diet that excludes meat products or animals, or think that there is something wrong with you to undertake such an enterprise. However, these attitudes are changing.

Nada Elbarshoumi, editor of the UAE-based "One Arab Vegan" blog, told The Media Line by e-mail, "I believe veganism is on the rise in the Arab world, especially in the last five years. so. Herbal diets are increasingly known in the Middle East, especially for health reasons. "

She explained that the environment and animal care were among the other reasons for locals to become vegans. She added that Arab countries were generally similar in terms of vegan meal options.

"It is difficult to determine exactly which countries are favorable to vegans," writes Elbarshoumi in his e-mail. "I enjoyed an incredible vegan fare here in the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] (United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait), Lebanon and Egypt, my home country, and I am convinced that other countries in the region would have similar goals to offer. "

Ahmad Safi, founder of the Palestine Animal League (PAL), based in Ramallah, believes that the Palestinian society is already supportive of vegans, as restaurants in the Palestinian Territories offer vegan options.

"There is a falafel stand on every street corner," he told The Media Line.

He also argues that vegan food is more economically accessible because it is cheaper than meat dishes – although blogger Elbarshoumi points out that meat plays an important role in Arab society.

"Meat is almost sacred in the Arab world – it is central to so many of our meals and dishes and therefore forms a large part of Arab cultural identity. It's also very much related to festivals and religious festivals, "she said.

Safi told The Media Line that meat was a sign of magnanimity in the community.

"Meat is a symbol of generosity. You offer meat to your guests when they come, "he said, adding that where he lives, people think that something is missing when they do not eat meat.

"They do not consider a meal without meat as a" full "meal, he explained.

Elbarshoumi is of the same opinion and adds: "I think that veganism barriers in the Arab world are largely cultural: there is a perception that plant-based diets are inferior from a nutritional and nutritional point of view. a notion that not eating meat is inherently worse. " Arabic & # 39;. "

Although not being generalized, veganism enjoys the support of influential personalities in the region. Saudi Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal is a vegan and has tried to promote veganism in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world. He developed his initial plans to open 10 vegan restaurants in the Middle East at 30.

Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), said in a statement to The Media Line: Milk is now available in many cafes. The demand for vegan catering is increasing rapidly in the Middle East, which is already renowned for its traditional vegan dishes such as mujaddara, muhammara, dolmas, etc. AnimalsInIslam.com is a popular website, and celebrities such as [Jordanian boxing champion] Arifa Bseiso teams up with PETA to show that vegan life is a global problem. [Editor’s note: AnimalsinIslam.com is sponsored by PETA.]

PAL, Safi, argues that a vegan diet is more in line with Islamic values.

"When the Prophet Muhammad ate meat," Safi told The Media Line, under very specific conditions. He said that you should eat according to your needs and that you should not kill animals indiscriminately. "

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf Hanson, president of Zaytuna College, a liberal Muslim arts college located in Berkley, Calif., Does not agree.

"In a famous collection of [the prophet’s] We find "Beware of meat because it has a dependence similar to that of wine." [However,] He encouraged meat on holiday days and said, "Meat is the best food," Hanson told The Media Line.

"The prophet Muhammad is now clbadified as semi-vegetarian," he said. "Given the current treatment of animals, it would be dismayed and would eat only animals fed on the grbad and treated with humanity."

The blogger Elbarshoumi thinks that the number of vegans in the Arab world will only increase as society grapples with an increase in diabetes and heart disease.

"The more the movement" food as a medicine "will catch on, the more people will be likely to adopt and adopt veganism," she wrote to The Media Line. "I think we need to become more open-minded as a culture, abandon the stigma surrounding herbal diet and encourage awareness of the benefits of a vegan diet."

(Tara Kavaler is a trainee in the media studies and policies of The Media Line)

For more information, visit www.onearabvegan.com