An Interview With Simohamed Bouhakkaoui, The Vegan-Climate Activist!
The Middle East Vegan Society interviewed Simohamed Bouhakkaoui, a vegan-climate activist and speaker with over five years of experience creating vegan web content. He is widely recognized as the first Moroccan to create such content. He has used his YouTube channel to explain and promote veganism while raising awareness of climate change.
What inspired you to become a vegan climate activist and speaker?
My decision to become a vegan-climate activist and speaker was influenced by various factors, including the contributions of past generations of activists who have paved the way for our work today. Notably, the activism of individuals such as Emily Moran Barwick, whose web video series Bite Size Vegan introduced me to the potential of veganism as a means of addressing climate change, left a lasting impact on me.
Additionally, the powerful speeches and animal rights advocacy of Gary Yourofsky played a significant role in solidifying my commitment to veganism. However, it was my encounter with Moby at VegFest Morocco that was truly transformative. Meeting him cemented my belief that adopting a vegan lifestyle is not only an ethical choice but also an essential component of any effort to mitigate climate change.
Simohamed Bouhakkaoui, Vegan Climate Activist & Speaker, Founder of Veg’Morocco
What motivated you to create the first national vegan association in the Moroccan Kingdom?
The creation of Veg'Morocco, the first national association for vegans in the North African region, was motivated by several factors. First, I aimed to raise awareness about veganism's ethical implications, including its potential to address climate change and promote a plant-based lifestyle. However, I faced several challenges in Morocco due to strict legal requirements for organizing events and demonstrations. Despite these obstacles, I was determined to make a difference. In 2017, I collaborated with co-founders Tasnime and Meryem to initiate our efforts toward raising awareness about veganism and changing mindsets in our country. Arab culture's conservative nature made it difficult to promote veganism and feminism. However, we persevered and established Veg'Morocco as the first national vegan association in the region.
What was your experience organizing the international VegFest festival in North Africa?
Organizing the International VegFest festival in North Africa was challenging and rewarding. As a first-time activist, I started small by participating in street outreach activities to promote ethical living. However, I soon realized that to make a more significant impact, we needed to establish a legal entity capable of organizing larger events. Additionally, we had to overcome cultural barriers, as people from Islamic backgrounds often had different perspectives on animal welfare ethics.
To address these challenges, I organized the first vegan festival in the Arab world in 2018, called VegFest Morocco. The festival had a positive impact on Moroccan society, and the media covered it extensively. We invited speakers from all over the world, including activists, university teachers, nutritionists, professionals, and doctors. It was a remarkable experience to meet famous vegan activists from various domains. These activists included Moby, Dr. Jane Goodall, Melanie Joy, Michael Klaper, Leah Garcés (the President of Mercy for Animals), the International Coordinator of the Animal Save Movement, and the founder of VegFest UK.
In 2020, we organized a day for the Arabic vegan community from countries such as Lebanon, Kuwait, Palestine, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, and Syria. In 2021, we organized a day for the entire vegan community in Africa. We were thrilled to win the award for the biggest vegan festival in Africa from VegFest UK. Overall, hosting the VegFest festival was a challenging and exciting experience. It allowed me to raise awareness about ethical living and veganism in my community and beyond. Besides my work with PETA as a Vegan Mentor, I also help people transition to vegan lifestyles worldwide.
Can you tell us more about your research on climate change with international organizations including the “Climate Save movement”?
Working as a researcher with the Climate Save movement has been a defining experience in my career. Collaborating with international organizations such as Climate Save has enabled me to tackle diverse climate-related issues, such as the water crisis in several African countries and the environmental impact of large corporations.
The Planet Vs Cargill campaign was one of the most significant projects that I have worked on with the Climate Save movement. In addition to my contributions to this campaign, I also provided research and data analysis to support the organization's efforts in addressing the environmental impact of major corporations. This includes large French meat producers like Casino and Carrefour, whose practices contribute to Amazon rainforest deforestation.
What are some of the climate change training courses you supervise for national organizations and NGOs?
I have led multiple training courses on climate change for national organizations and NGOs, focusing on topics such as mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. These courses focus on the impact of the meat and dairy industry on climate change and global warming. To ensure an all-encompassing learning experience, we deliver courses in a variety of formats, such as workshops, webinars, and lectures.
I am proud to have had more than a thousand participants attend these courses to date, and they have received excellent feedback. Some of the organizations I have collaborated with include Amnesty International, Parlement Jeunesse du Maroc, The National School of Business and Management of Settat, Veggie is Halal in Belgium, Vegfest UK, Forum for Modernity & Democracy, and Women's Excellence Morocco.
What was your experience like being chosen as one of the jury members for the International Hult Prize in 2019?
In 2019, I was privileged to serve as a jury member for the International Hult Prize. This was a competition that seeks to promote green projects and eco-friendly ideas. Witnessing the creativity and ingenuity of young entrepreneurs and students from around the globe was a fascinating experience. It was heartening to see them pitch innovative solutions to critical environmental problems.
As a jury member, I was humbled to listen to these brilliant ideas and contribute to selecting the winning team. I was particularly inspired by the passion and dedication of these young people in making a positive impact on the planet. The event left me feeling optimistic about the future of our planet and the significant role young people will play in addressing global challenges.
How did it feel to be nominated to represent Morocco and North Africa at the International Day of Peace 2020?
I was humbled to be selected as the representative for Morocco and North Africa at the International Day of Peace in 2020. As an advocate for peace and non-violence, I believe that promoting a vegan lifestyle, reducing carbon emissions, and protecting the environment are essential components of achieving a more peaceful world. This recognition has further motivated me to continue working towards this goal. I am committed to being a catalyst for change in my community and beyond.
In conclusion, I am excited to announce my upcoming projects. These include producing a series of videos on social media aimed at raising awareness about veganism, ethics, plant-based diets, and climate change for Arabic speakers. I am also honored to have been invited to two of the world's largest animal rights conferences. These conferences are Animal Rights in Europe (CARE) 2023 in Poland and the Animal Liberation Conference in Berkeley, CA. These opportunities will allow me to share my knowledge and experience with a wider audience. I will continue working towards creating a better world for all beings. I am eager to contribute to the discourse on these significant topics and inspire others to act toward positive change.
Thank you, Mr. Simohamed Bouhakkaoui, for sharing your inspiring journey with us. Your dedication to promoting ethical living, veganism, and environmental sustainability is truly commendable. Your achievements in organizing the VegFest festival, working with the Climate Save movement, and supervising training courses on climate change are a testament to your passion and commitment. We wish you all the best in your upcoming projects, and we are confident that you will continue to make a positive impact on the world. Thank you again for sharing your insights and experiences with us.