Summreen Sheikh- Founder of Vegetarian Muslims Group on Facebook and works in the environmental sustainability sector in the UK
1. How long have you been a vegetarian and what encouraged you to become a vegetarian?
Since
I was five, I learnt about animals at school and decided not to eat
meat anymore as every time I saw the meat I thought of the animal.
2. Tell me one piece of information that you would like others to know about being a Muslim vegetarian?
It’s very normal and halal.
3. Would you advocate that all Muslims consider and take up vegetarianism?
No,
I would encourage them to think about where their meat comes from. To
learn about what is required for their food to be truly halal and
question if they genuinely think that the meat industry meets all these
requirements. I would also suggest that they look into the consumption
of meat in the time of our Prophet and see how eating meat was treated.
We are encouraged to think for ourselves as Muslims, not follow the
masses.
4. Did Islam play a big part in your decision to become a vegetarian?
No.
5. What have the reactions to your vegetarianism been like from the Muslim/non-Muslim community?
Muslims
especially have a problem accepting something that is not common in
their culture. Often people will say its haram (forbidden) to be
vegetarian- obviously this is quite insulting and ignorant and requires a
lot of self restraint from me! Non-muslims are more open minded to the
diversity of my lifestyle choice.
6. Finally, what is your favourite veggie dish?
Daal chaal – lentils and rice- yum!
