Yes.

We must set the example of how to be responsible global citizens and stop our heedlessness, gluttony and excuse making.

Today we as a species are in the worst position in human history. 

15,000 scientists from 184 different countries just signed “a warning to humanity” about the growing threats we face and not surprisingly; most of the problems listed: 

• Climate change
• Deforestation
• Species extinction
• Loss of access to clean water

Are a direct result of animal agriculture – currently the biggest cancer on our planet today.

I wrote about this in more detail here and here.

In fact if the human race was to perish tomorrow, our extinction would benefit everything on the planet – the air, the water, the soil, the mountains, the plants and animals – ALL would benefit. 

However if ants or bees died out, we would as well. 

This just goes to show our level of self importance is very misplaced. We really are not as special as we claim.

 

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Our Horrible Resume

 

We have wiped out more species over the past 50 years than at any point in world history.

Our forests are being cleared at record rates. Our oceans are the dirtiest they have ever been with trash and sewage being dumped at ridiculous rates thereby decimating and poisoning fish and marine animal populations.

Our air quality is plummeting.

All of these crimes against the planet are caused by raising billions upon billions of animals to kill. Countless land, air and marine animals are recklessly exterminated to satisfy our gluttony, fashion and even amusement.

But before they are mass murdered every second of every day, we treat them like they are devoid of emotions and feelings. We throw them behind cages like criminals when it is us that should be held to account. They did nothing wrong!

We drag them, beat then, grind them up alive, gas them, electrocute them, cut off their horns, tails and beaks, throw them on top of each other on transport trucks and devised countless other ways to enslave, torture and exploit sentient beings.

All for what?

For our greed and all of this bad treatment is coming back ten fold against us with a vengeance.

The sheer amount of resources it takes to raise all of these animals is unsustainable and putting a choke hold on our natural resources.

When we continue down this path of cyclical torture, destruction and death, the world starts to literally fall apart before our very eyes.

As Muslims, we are currently part of the problem.

We’ve lost our sense of compassion and we must find our way.

Our meat and animal product addictions are feeding this vicious cycle.

As a community we are afflicted with the exact same ailments other communities who are addicted to animal products suffer from: cancer, heart disease, depression and now a growing host of newly diagnosed conditions.

What have we done to take a stand? Do we sit by and do nothing as our world plummets into misery?

 

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Priorities

 

Why do we obsess over our own creations when we feel their sanctity is violated: books, mosques, clothing and the like but when God’s own creation is violated day in, day out – his majestic animals; we don’t even flinch? Are our creations more sacred than our Creator’s or what exactly?

We attach such great importance on our man made symbols but literally throw God’s symbols behind cages and in the garbage.

God Almighty appointed us as stewards and guardians of this planet and we have behaved like we don’t care thereby paying a dire price for this indifference.

There is no excuse for this.

We must stand against all forms of injustice and oppression and that includes the worst kinds of oppression inflicted upon the animals and environment.

We talk so much about how the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was “a mercy to all the worlds” but are blind to the realities to what’s afflicting our different worlds today.

Shame on us collectively and our leaders for remaining largely silent and heedless as the human race continues to accelerate the world’s decline!

In fact – I will say it is more in line with Islam’s core values to go vegan today than not to.

There, I said it.

Mercy, compassion, justice, protecting the oppressed, the weak and innocent as well as doing what’s best for all and minimizing harm cannot come from supporting factory farming practices of the meat, dairy and egg industries – period.

 

 

 

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Moving Forward

 

We launched this initiative to help us start turning things around.

We’re going to need a major paradigm shift in order to make an impact and insha`Allah, it will happen but not before we are prepared to have very real, open and yes; uncomfortable conversations within.

Both our religious and non religious leaders must have the courage to re-examine age-long held beliefs and traditions in order to become better as a community.

We can no longer afford to have our blinkers on and refuse to reinterpret and understand our texts to align with what’s best for our world, not our own selfish interests and traditions.

This is where you come in.

Help us help the world by doing your research and taking the compassionate decision.

Choosing not to be a part of this mess is something each and every one of us can do. Be the change you want to see in this world.

Share and spread the message as far and as wide as you can.

Together, we really can make a difference even if it’s to one bird; it’s worth it.

Go vegan.

Peace.