Interview with Fawzia Jaffan, Leader and Manager of the Vegan Islam Initiative

The Middle East Vegan Society (MEVS) recently had the opportunity to interview Mrs. Fawzia Jaffan, a vegan, animal rights activist, professional photographer, yoga instructor, and singer. In addition to her diverse professional background, she also leads and manages the Vegan Islam Initiative of the Middle East Vegan Society.

When asked about what inspired her to become vegan, Fawzia shared that her journey began in 2016 as she was an on-and-off vegetarian. However, it was not until 2020 that she decided to fully adopt a vegan lifestyle after watching the documentary "Earthlings." She explained that the film gave her a new perspective on animal rights and she made the decision to transition to a vegan lifestyle overnight.

One of the most frequently asked questions Fawzia receives is whether there is a conflict between Islam and veganism.

In response, she emphasized that there is no conflict between the two. Her faith is what motivates her to advocate for animal rights. She explained that Islam places a strong emphasis on respecting and protecting the rights of animals, and that many people misunderstand the relationship between the two

Fawzia also shared her thoughts on how she reconciles her veganism with holidays like Eid Al-Adha, which is traditionally celebrated by slaughtering an animal. As a child, she found the holiday traumatic as she saw animals being slaughtered everywhere. However, as she grew older and gained a deeper understanding of the holiday, she realized that the purpose was to feed and give to those in need. As a result, she now celebrates Eid Al-Adha in a cruelty-free way and has not encountered any negative reactions from other Muslims. She feels more in line with her faith by living a peaceful lifestyle.

Finally, Fawzia shared details about her project with MEVS. She explained that it was a very exciting and meaningful project for her, as there are not many resources available to connect Islam and veganism. With the growing popularity of veganism in the Middle East, she hopes this project can serve as a guide to address controversial questions. In addition, it will provide a deeper understanding of how Islam and veganism can coexist.