Poor Animals On Your Palate And Plate

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 2 October 2025 “I’ve been a vegetarian for years and years. I’m not judgemental about others who aren’t, I just feel I cannot eat or wear living creatures.” Drew Barrymore, Actress “Animals are my friends...and I don't eat my friends.” ― George Bernard Shaw Every year on October 1st, World Vegetarian Day kicks off a month of parties, potluck, presentations, food tasting displays and lots of friendly discussions. For those new to vegetarianism, it serves as an enticement to give meatless fare a try (even for a day) and learn about its many benefits. And, of course, it’s the perfect occasion for vegetarians and those already moving towards plant-based diets to celebrate their healthy, compassionate food choices. World Vegetarian Day was established as an annual celebration to promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism. The day was originated by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977 and endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978. Vegetarianism is not a fad or a fancy. Nor is it an example of one-day tokenism. In other words, the symbolism of vegetarianism is eternal, not fashionable. Vegetarianism is a cautious and conscious choice that stems from empathy for all creatures. We talk about love, empathy and non-violence as hollow and shallow table-talk, not realising that all these lofty talks shall remain as weasel words if we don't practise and implement them to the last syllable. With food starts our journey of empathy and universal love. Remember, a man can live and be healthy without killing animals for food; therefore, if he eats meat, he participates in taking animal life merely for the sake of his appetite. And to act so is immoral. Just the way, your love for humanity shouldn't be restricted only to loving the people of your own country but it must encompass people of the world, your love for nature and creature(s) must also apply to what you eat. Until we extend the circle of our compassion to all living things, we will not find peace. Without sounding condescending, vegetarianism is the culmination of ethical and humane behaviour. People often say that humans have always eaten animals, as if this is a justification for continuing the practice. According to this logic, we should not try to prevent people from murdering other people, since this has also been done since the earliest of times. Eating meat is not a necessity, it's an act of cruelty. You may not slaughter an animal for your palate but it's being butchered for your taste buds. This very thought suggests complicity. Imagine, you've just dined, and however scrupulously the slaughterhouse is concealed in the graceful distance of miles, there is complicity. You may not hear the cries and wails of the animals being slaughtered for you, but can your conscience remain deaf and indifferent to that? Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight. Flesh eating is unprovoked murder. While we ourselves are the living graves of murdered beasts, how can we expect any ideal conditions on this earth? A person of spiritual intensity doesn't consume corpses. Many non-vegetarians argue that they prefer eating meat because it's tastier than the dull and drab vegetarian food. This is a huge misconception based on dietary relativism. Fashion and taste are acquired behaviours. We find something tasty doesn't mean it's tasty. It's tasty because we think so. We've not tried the full spectrum of vegetarian cuisine and explored its varieties. So, non-vegetarian fare seems tasty and delicious to us. Try vegetarian options and you'll not complain or crib. One more weird reason for non-vegetarianism is that if animals are not consumed or eaten, they'll outnumber and overwhelm us! What nonsense! Nature knows how to strike a balance. Even if the whole world turns vegetarian, animals will not be able to outnumber us. Every creature has a fundamental right to live. We cannot deprive a lamb, goat, chicken or a fish of this basic right. They're not born to be devoured by us. Remember Shel Silverstein's famous lines, “ Thanksgiving dinner's sad and thankless. Christmas dinner's dark and blue. When you stop and try to see it From the turkey's point of view." Did you know, the most compassionate and erudite Mughal prince Dara Shikoh (also transliterated as Dara Shikoh) turned a complete vegetarian, not even trying and tasting eggs, at the tender age of fifteen? He mentioned this in his short treatise in Persian, 'Majma-ul-Bahrain' (The mingling of the two oceans). Many great mystics in the history of Islam were vegetarians because of their profound love for all creatures. Remember the deeply moving words of author Isaac Bashevis Singer, “Even in the worm that crawls in the earth there glows a divine spark. When you slaughter a creature, you slaughter God.” Yes, when you kill an ant, you ant(agonise) the one who created it. Ergo, pause and ponder before you bite into a succulent leg of an ill-fated chicken or a juicy steak, martyred for your sake. Shouldn't your conscience and compunction nudge you? Doesn't the very sight of a fried chicken move you? If not, ask yourself what hardened you so much. If you start feeling, I dare say, you'll refrain from killing. ---- October 1 was World Vegetarian Day. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URl: https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/poor-animals-palate-plate/d/137068 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism