Animal rights activism in the Middle East

“I was born and raised in Lebanon, but originally, I am from Armenia. From a young age I was active when it came to justice matters since the genocide of Armenians remains unrecognized. And I had also considered myself an animal lover my whole life. When I was 16 a friend of mine in an argument, called me a hypocrite for claiming to be an animal lover – loving the cats we had adopted, while also eating meat and hunting birds. And of course, I didn’t like to be called a hypocrite. I started arguing, and she showed me a video called Meet Your Meat, a twelve-minute-long video about slaughterhouses.”

“I became vegetarian, mainly, because I didn’t have any information about veganism, or what happens in the dairy industry and in the egg industry. And the whole notion of the exploitation of animals and seeing them as commodities”, Seb says.

Eight years later he became vegan. It is now twelve years ago. Soon he realized being vegan is still not enough.

“In fact, we do have to help the animals as much as we can – and that is why I became an activist.”

A few years ago, the Middle East Vegan Society was founded. At the time he was working with the Lebanese Vegans, another Middle East-based organization, focusing on veganism and animal rights on a grassroots level.  

Seb Alex decided to create an organization that was covering the overall movement in the Middle East, and what is happening in the whole region regarding veganism, animal rights and plant-based food.

“We work on two fronts basically. Partly to raise awareness and educate the consumers and at the same time we work towards businesses such as restaurants and supermarkets, to make it easier for the consumers, to make the ethical choices.”

“Many think that the Middle East is a difficult area to work in regarding animal rights and veganism, but I found that in many ways it is much easier than for instance Europe. I am really excited about that,” Seb says.  

Today we can see how many unique initiatives for animal rights and veganism have started in the Middle East. The first vegan hospital, Hayek Hospital in Beirut, for instance. Many believe that veganism is a luxury, something you can afford when everything in your life is good. But not rarely it seems that the people who struggle most feel the most empathy with the animals.

“I had this experience first-hand during the war in Lebanon last year. We went into the most bombed area, near Beirut, an area completely evacuated. We saw destruction everywhere. It was horrible.”

Still, he describes how the people working in the area for security reasons, helped rescuing animals and took them to places where they knew animals needed help to survive. The welfare of the animals was a deep concern for these people in the midst of war. 

Can saving dogs and cats help us open up to the compassion of all animals? Can it be the gateway to embrace empathy with all sentient beings?

“Yes, and that was the case for me as well. My friend convinced me through bringing up the fact that I had a cat that I loved so much. Because when you start helping companion animals, you start acknowledging that they are sentient beings. It is much easier than to think: What is the difference between a cat or a cow? A dog or a pig?  From there it is easier to make the transition”, Seb says.

In general Seb has a good experience working with outreach and animal rights as an activist in the Middle East.

“There are situations where people bring up religious defense that we of course have an answer to. Others might argue that they don’t even have rights themselves. And I understand their frustration. But I wouldn’t say that is a big majority. In my experience, those who suffer a lot are much more likely to identify with the suffering of other animals.”

He has interviewed people in harsh circumstances, who have said things that really are mind-blowing when it comes to radical compassion with animals. Things he has not even heard vegans say. 

“A few months ago, I was in Lebanon again. This time in the southern parts. I interviewed two people who stayed behind in the closest villages, in the most dangerous areas. All others were evacuated. They were taking care of all the animals. It is just a reminder that this idea – that people who are struggling a lot, stop caring about others – is just false.”

One of these men is literally risking his life every day to save animals. Every time he leaves the house, he has a few things that he puts aside, because there is a chance that he is not going to come back. And he wants them to be there.

“In the interview I asked him, are you not afraid for your life? And without even thinking he said, “There has to be a sacrifice. It can’t just be about how we love animals and want to protect them. We have to be ready to sacrifice our lives to save them.” And I know he is not just saying it. He has done it. I have his videos. I know he still does it.”

It shows how powerful compassion and activism can be, and what potential there is in humanity. Previous surveys have shown that people from the Middle East and Africa are more open to follow plant-based diets, consume less meat, stop consuming meat and dairy all together, than the rest of the world. 

”There are many explanations to this, intolerance of lactose is one. But the fact, that the regional cuisine is predominantly plant based anyway. Which makes it much easier for people to change. “

Do you believe that dairy is key in our work for a vegan world?

“That makes sense. Around 50 percent of the meat comes from the dairy industry. As soon as they don’t produce as much or can’t stand up anymore, they are killed. And if we do abolish dairy, the whole idea of separating families and artificial insemination also would seem as something wrong. Then all the animal industries would fall. So, I think that it would make a lot of sense.” 

Is the truth more and more revealed today?

“Year 2018 was the peak of the overall awareness of veganism so far. And the meat and dairy has paid a lot of money to make sure to combat veganism and plant-based diets after that. When the EAT lancet report came out promoting plant-based foods, the industry really put together a plan to combat everything, very afraid that this data is coming out and that people would start changing their diets and habits. So yes, a lot of people are waking up. But we also have one of the biggest industries fighting it. “

Today we see very strong lobbies both towards animal oppression and human oppression. It is so extreme what we are seeing. Are people starting to grasp the extreme injustice, do you think?

“I think the problem right now is that when it comes to lobbies, the power of the dollar is so strong. Whether it is the war industry lobbying or Israel lobbying western countries, or the animal agriculture lobby; they all have something in common – spend money to maximize their influence on things that they know the general population don’t agree with. So that is a red flag by itself. People should be more aware of that. And we must remind ourselves that most of the animal products would not be sold at the price they have sold us, unless the tax that is subsidizing it. “

“It is not easy for humans to absorb what is happening and live a happy and good and comfortable life – because it is two very contrasting situations. Many therefore intentionally block it out. “

The future

“I don’t have a lot of hope for the future of humanity, but I will not let that stop me from working for justice, it is not going to affect my activism. I am not going to do less if it is going to be bad. Or less, if it is going to be good. Because that is not how we value how active we should be. For instance, I don’t think we ever will be totally free of racism. But does that mean I am not going to help victims of racism? Absolutely not. It is two very different things. And I hope I am wrong about the future. But I think it should not matter – we shall always help those who are oppressed, regardless.”

“Even if many in Europe now speak up for the Palestinians for instance, it is a bit late for the Palestinians, but I am still very happy to see many of my friends in Norway, Sweden and Spain for instance, go out on the streets for Palestine. The majority of the world population opposes what is going on in Gaza and Palestine. That was not the case a few years ago or a few decades ago. Mostly out of ignorance.”

Anne Casparsson

How dare we?

Renee King-Sonnen is the executive director and founder of Rowdy Girl Sanctuary that was established in 2015. It is the first beef cattle ranch to go vegan and rescue the cows that they would normally send to slaughter.

“We’ve gained a lot of notoriety, because of our story. I guess, it hit a nerve with not only vegans and animal rights folks, but also with other farmers and ranchers that were very curious about our story. And it went viral,” Renee says.

Today Renee is world known for her advocacy and voice for the animals, as an ex-rancher from Texas and is a global spokesperson for the animals. Renee has been on major news outlets all around the world and recently a documentary about their journey was launched, called Rowdy Girl. It showcases the inspiring work of Renee King-Sonnen and proves that there is a common ground between farmers and vegans: a shared mission of compassion and sustainability. Renee is currently also writing a book about her life and her journey from being a cattle rancher to becoming a vegan activist.

Lately, a number of investigations at dairy farms have been exposed, in different parts of the world, both in the US and Europe, by for instance ARM Investigations and Animal Justice Project. We have witnessed how the extreme cruelties in the global dairy production are common practices and routine, despite the fact that many still believe that it’s a wholesome industry.

“It is heartbreaking”, Renee says. “You know, the dairy industry is the meat industry. And it is worse than anybody would ever imagine. Many people think that they’re not hurting an animal when they drink milk. It’s just amazing to me the amount of really good people that think that drinking milk is harmless.”

The dairy industry
“From the fact that they have to ejaculate a big 2000-pound bull to obtain their semen, how dishonoring that is. And then they put the semen in some sort of device and put the long glove on the hand. Then they put their hand up inside the rear end of the dairy cow, who’s usually chained and unable to move, to put that sperm inside of the cow. Usually this is right after a cow has given birth and has had the baby taken away from her. The mama cow is just in grief. There’s no dignity at all. It is rape.”

Grieving cows and calves crying for each other, sometimes for days and even weeks, is normal in the industry. The umbilical cords are usually still on these babies when they are separated, and they are just thrown in wheelbarrows like trash. If they are males, they are often killed on the spot or being put in small veal crates.

“The industry doesn’t need males. The males are useless in the dairy industry, seen as a byproduct. The little baby females will just grow up to be dairy cows, put in small veal crates. These babies have become units of production and are not seen as sentient beings. But in fact, they are just like anybody’s child. They need warmth, they need protection, and they need their mother. They need milk, sustenance, sunshine, air, and clean water. But they are deprived of all of that, just so human beings can have access to the milk.”

All around the world we can see how newborn baby calves are being treated in the worst possible way: male calves are starved to death, frozen to death in small crates, denied water and food, or exposed to heat and bad weather as well as being treated with violence. How can we best change the narrative from here, despite the fact that many people are indoctrinated through generations of belief systems around eating animals and drinking milk.

As a former cattle rancher Renee has the ability to really make people listen. She is walking the talk and has the authority and compassion to speak to people also inside of the industry. She has had many conversations with farmers all around the world and helped several transitions away from animal agriculture. A few weeks ago, Renee met a woman and her daughter in a nearby boutique and started talking.

“Both the mother and her daughter grew up on a dairy but were vegetarians. I said: “You are vegetarian. Sounds like you really love animals. But do you realize that all those male babies at your dairy farm, we’re just byproducts?” She answered that it is something she doesn’t like to think about. Because this is her family. This is what they’ve always done and they’re good people. And I answered her: “I understand. We used to be cattle ranchers. We are good people. But you know, when good people know better, they do better. ”

Because of whom Renee is, she can challenge people in a way not all are capable of, and she emphasizes how culture and tradition is often the main issue.

”Many people grew up on dairy farms, or they have grandpas, grandmas, aunts and uncles that have dairy farms. So, when you start talking about it, you’ve got to realize that you’re on real sacred ground. Because that is their family, that is their culture. You’ve got to do it in a way where you’re sensitive to all of that. Or they’re not going to hear you. “

In today’s dairy industry we see grieving mothers hooked to machines, to produce dairy, just so humanity can have milk, cheese and ice cream from a cow. The way cows and calves are treated in the dairy industry is almost beyond imagination many times. Would we treat dogs and cats the same way people would be furious and the people responsible would be arrested.

“But somehow, we’ve been able to blind ourselves when it comes to cows, particularly in the dairy industry. And still, animal liberation is the only way that we’re going to liberate ourselves, “Renee emphasis.

We live in a world that is polarized and is screaming for peace and justice. Still, the horrendous treatment of animals in the food industry has become the elephant in the room. Everyone knows about it, but hardly anyone talks about it, despite the fact that it is not only destroying the animals, but we are destroying our whole planet. Doctor Will Tuttle has written several books on the topic, The World Peace Diet, and Food for Freedom, showing how the underlying cultural food narratives in our society have eroded our freedom, health, spirituality and awareness.

“People need to be feeling ashamed of themselves for eating animals, just like they do when they’re smoking a cigarette. And I believe that day is coming. But we need to get together, organize and normalize the liberation of animals.”

For several years Renee was part of the Agricultural Fairness Alliance in the US. But they were just two women leading the work. Renee emphasizes that more people are needed to make a real impact and more animal rights people need to start working inside government and political institutions to make a real change. Renee is effective and gets a lot done on all level of society. Her sanctuary, Rowdy Girl Sanctuary, is well known, and they have with visitors from all over the world.

“The other day I was hanging out with Rowdy Girl. She is now 15 years old. They are so awesome to be around. The cows know me, and I am part of the herd. They all are individuals and have different friends. They love to stay with their mama even when they are old. They are just like us. How dare we mess with that? We are heading for real trouble as a civilization. And the karma, on us collectively and of course individually, is going to be fierce. It is really important to wake up. And all of us need to do anything we can to awaken those around us. “

Anne Casparsson