Illuminating Hearts: An Interview with Noor Al-Nabatiya
There are moments when purpose doesn’t shout — it pulses quietly beneath the surface, waiting for someone to feel it. Noor Al-Nabatiya doesn’t push her message outward with force; she releases it gently, guided by a belief that truth, when rooted in love, will find its way.
A visual artist by training and a seeker by heart, Noor’s journey toward veganism began not in theory but in visceral recognition — a moment of witnessing, of connection. Since then, she has devoted her voice to those denied one, using her Arabic-language YouTube channel as a sanctuary of awakening. Her videos speak not only of animal suffering, but of our own capacity to unlearn and remember: to live not from habit, but from reverence.
She calls this awakening “the consciousness of love” — an expansive, unconditional compassion that dissolves hierarchy, dismantles indoctrination, and asks us to see beyond appearances.
Noor’s voice does not seek to provoke, but to remind — not to reform the outer world first, but to soften the lens through which we see it. In her invitation to awaken, she doesn’t instruct — she reflects. And through that reflection, something ancient stirs: the memory that love was never meant to be partial. When we begin to see through that light, the world no longer looks the same.
In this conversation, Noor reflects on her path, her pain, and the love that continues to guide her.
1. While you choose to keep your personal identity private, your YouTube channel has become a powerful platform for veganism and animal rights in Arabic. Can you share more about who you are as a person and the motivation behind your voice?
I preserve my privacy because I want the focus to remain on the message, not on myself — and for family-related reasons as well. I chose Arabic because I wanted to raise awareness among Arabic speakers about the rights of other living beings and the principles of veganism.
I’m a visual artist and studied at the Faculty of Fine Arts. One of our required subjects was anatomy, which we studied at the medical faculty. On one visit, we were shown preserved human organs in glass jars. When I saw human tissue up close, I was shocked — it looked no different from the meat we eat. That moment cracked the illusion I had grown up with — and so began a deeper questioning of how we treat other beings.
After a period of struggle and family pressure, I found myself naturally gravitating back to a vegan path. The more I learned, the more it became clear: true love cannot be partial. If we say that God is love, then that love must extend to all creation — without exception.
2. What inspired you to launch your YouTube channel? Did you feel there was a gap in Arabic content on this topic that needed a voice like yours?
I’ve always listened closely to my inner voice and the subtle messages around me. A few people encouraged me to start a channel, and one person in particular said, “Just say the things you tell us — about veganism, consciousness, and compassion.” That felt right.
Yes, there is definitely a gap in Arabic content related to animal rights. Even in animal welfare spaces, many only focus on cats and dogs. When I spoke up about other animals — cows, chickens, those farmed and exploited — I was often laughed at. That made me want to be a voice for all voiceless beings, and to present the message with artistry and sincerity.
3. Your content confronts harsh realities with raw honesty. How do you protect your emotional well-being while carrying this weight?
I created a playlist on my channel called “For Adults Only” because of the graphic nature of some footage. Making those videos was emotionally painful — I cried, I grieved — but I encouraged myself to keep going. Because the suffering these beings endure needs to be seen.
Unfortunately, some people who are disturbed by the truth ask me not to show it again, saying it “ruins their appetite” even as they continue to participate in the harm. But if we refuse to witness suffering, how can we claim compassion?
Maintaining balance requires inner work — emotional regulation, spiritual grounding, and accepting myself through the journey. I've experienced firsthand how veganism, as an expression of unconditional love, leads to inner peace and mental clarity.
4. Your videos remain compassionate despite exposing harsh truths. How do you preserve emotional warmth in your voice without compromising honesty?
What helps me is love — truly. Love gives us strength beyond the cruelty of the world.
One of my core beliefs is that nothing in existence is separate. Everything is connected — human, animal, insect, plant. That’s why my channel’s motto is: “The One in All, and All in The One.”
When we harm another being, even a tiny one, we are in a way harming ourselves.
Since becoming vegan, I’ve witnessed personal transformations — more forgiveness, more patience, and a greater sense of peace. There is deep spiritual growth that comes with aligning your life with this kind of love.
5. What advice would you offer to someone torn between their ethical convictions and their fear of change?
Fear of change often comes from false programming — like the myth that cow’s milk strengthens bones, when in fact it can cause disease. We were taught many things that don’t serve us or others.
Animal products don’t just cause physical harm — they carry emotional residue from animals who experienced fear and pain. When we consume that energy, it affects us on unseen levels.
My advice is: don’t be afraid. Vegan food is healing, whole, and nourishing. And most importantly, it allows us to live in harmony with our values — protecting the environment, ourselves, and the countless beings with whom we share this Earth.
6. How do you see awareness of veganism and animal rights evolving in the Arab world? What role do you hope your voice will play in that movement?
There are growing individual cases, but this hasn’t yet reached a level of collective awareness. I hope my voice — through Noor Al-Nabatiyah — can contribute to that awakening.
Veganism is not just about food; it’s a lifestyle. It touches every aspect of life — what we eat, wear, use, and how we treat others. To me, veganism is a higher stage of consciousness — one that flows from unconditional love for all beings, without distinction.
Conclusion
On behalf of the Middle East Vegan Society, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Noor Al-Nabatiya for sharing her voice with us — not only in words, but in the quiet courage it takes to carry such a message with love, grace, and depth. Her path reminds us that awakening is not about shouting louder, but listening deeper — to life, to suffering, and to the love that connects us all.
Thank you, Noor, for being a light for those learning to see.