The Middle East's Plant-Based Heritage: A Culinary Legacy That Can Inspire the World
Plant-based meals are often presented as a modern response to today's environmental, health, and ethical challenges. Yet in countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, and across North Africa, plant-based meals have been part of everyday life for generations. Long before terms such as "vegan" and "plant-based" entered mainstream conversations, families gathered around dishes such as Hummus, Tabbouleh, Baba Ghanoush, Falafel, Fattoush, Muhammara, Yalanji, Mujadara, Ful Medames, Koshari, Maqluba, Mahshi, Malfouf, Adas bi Hamod, Bamia, and Molokhia. Celebrations and festive occasions were also enriched by traditional sweets such as Meghli, Qamhiyeh, Maamoul, Maakaron, and Zlabia, demonstrating that plant-based traditions have long extended beyond the main course.
Animetrics Research: Different Messages? Evidence from 15 Countries on Muslim Consumer Perceptions of Halal, Animal Welfare, and Advocacy Strategies
Muslim consumers across fifteen countries share a commitment to halal and faith‑based food choices, yet their perceptions of animal welfare and plant‑forward diets vary widely. Animetrics’ 2026 study, “Different Messages? Evidence from 15 Countries”, explores these differences, offering evidence on how advocacy can be tailored to diverse cultural and religious contexts. By comparing responses across multiple regions, the research highlights both common ground and striking contrasts in how consumers interpret halal, ethics, and sustainability.
Exploring Morocco as a Vegan Traveler: What to Expect and How to Embrace Plant‑Based Flavors
Traveling with a vegan lifestyle often raises questions about what food will be available, how easy it will be to communicate dietary needs, and whether local traditions will align with plant‑based living. Morocco presents its own unique answers to these questions. What can vegan travelers expect when visiting the country, and how can they make the most of the journey while staying true to their values?
Lebanon’s Forgotten Victims: Wildlife and Companion Animals Facing Aggression and the Annihilation of Habitats
Aggression is often described in numbers: civilian deaths, casualties, destroyed homes, and displaced families. Yet behind these statistics lies another tragedy that rarely makes headlines: the suffering of animals. From forests burned to rubble to villages reduced to ruins, the toll of Israeli forces’ aggression in South Lebanon extends far beyond human communities. As WIRED Middle East reported this year, animals and habitats become casualties, damaged first, restored last, and almost never counted in the official record. In South Lebanon, the reality of aggression is visible in the annihilation of habitats and in the daily work of rescuers such as Kassem Haidar and Houssein Hamze, who risk their lives to save companion animals left behind, feed strays wandering ruined streets, and transport wounded beings to safety.
From Australia to the Middle East and North Africa: The Collapse and Cruelty of Live Sheep Exports
Over the years, numerous incidents have been recorded in the trade of live sheep from Australia to the Middle East and North Africa. Ships have sunk, animals have suffocated in extreme heat, and entire consignments have been rejected at ports only to face brutal slaughter. Together, these incidents expose a system in crisis, where animals continue to be crammed into ships, enduring fear, heat, and neglect, only for many to perish before reaching port. The collapse reflects both the instability of the trade and the mounting evidence of its cruelty.
Turkish Study Reveals How Men Justify Meat-Eating Through Psychological Defense Mechanisms
Recent research has examined why people continue to justify meat consumption despite its ethical, health, and environmental consequences. A Turkish study found that men are more likely than women to endorse meat-eating rationalizations, with cultural and religious traditions playing a significant role. These insights come amid a global push for alternative protein sources to support food security, highlighting how persistent psychological defenses stand in tension with broader efforts to reshape food systems. The report repeatedly references veganism as the contrasting position, showing how the visibility of plant-based alternatives intensifies cognitive dissonance by challenging these justifications directly.
From the Levant to the World: The Story of Stuffed Grape Leaves
Stuffed grape leaves are more than a dish; they are a story of migration, tradition, and shared heritage. The practice of wrapping grains in vine leaves dates back to ancient Mediterranean communities, where leaves were used to protect food and add flavor. By the fifteenth century, Ottoman palace kitchens had refined this tradition into delicate rolls of rice and herbs wrapped in tender grape leaves, simmered gently with olive oil and lemon.
From Beirut, Hayek Hospital’s Vegan Vision Educates, Prevents, and Inspires the World
Hayek Hospital in Beirut, the world’s first fully vegan hospital, has become a hub for education and a living example of how healthcare can evolve beyond treating symptoms to tackling root causes. Within its walls, medicine and nutrition converge, offering not only care but also a vision of prevention and compassion. This commitment is reflected in initiatives that highlight the link between food and disease. On World Heart Day and World Day Of The Sick, the hospital reminds visitors and patients of the dangers of animal-based products. Such actions show that Hayek Hospital is not content with treating illness; it is determined to challenge its causes and inspire change.
Captivity Under Scrutiny: Reports of Neglect and Rescue in Zoos Across the Middle East and North Africa
Across the Middle East and North Africa, zoos and circuses have long been presented as places of leisure, education, or cultural tradition. From Gaza’s Rafah Zoo to Egypt’s Giza Zoo, from Lebanon’s roadside collections to Riyadh Zoo in Saudi Arabia, and from Al Ain Zoo in the UAE to Rabat Zoo in Morocco, these institutions are part of the region’s history. Yet recent rescues and investigations reveal a different reality: lions starving in Gaza, cubs like Sara suffering neglect in Lebanon, fatal attacks in Egyptian zoos and circuses, and disturbing reports during Giza Zoo’s 2026 reopening. These cases show that captivity itself creates harm, regardless of modernization or welfare claims, and that rescue remains the only meaningful response.
Plant‑Based Dining Normalized at Swiss International Scientific School Dubai
At the Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, one of the largest international schools in the UAE, plant‑based cuisine has become a normalized part of daily life. The catering provider, Swiss Canonica, operates a six‑week rotating international menu where vegan main dishes are featured every day, alongside starters, Chef’s Specials, and desserts.
Vegan Beauty Expands in the GCC: AXIS‑Y Introduces the “Climate of You” Philosophy
Vegan beauty is expanding across the Gulf, and AXIS‑Y’s arrival marks a defining moment in this movement. Certified as 100 percent vegan and cruelty‑free, the Korean skincare brand is bringing its signature “Climate of You” philosophy to Kuwait and Bahrain, two markets where demand for ethical cosmetics is rapidly growing. This philosophy, which emphasizes skincare tailored to environmental and lifestyle conditions, resonates strongly in the GCC’s unique climate and reflects a broader shift toward compassionate, plant‑based living in the region.
Vogaya: Dubai’s Luxury Vegan Handbags Redefining Fashion
Luxury is no longer defined by extravagance or excess. Around the world, consumers are rethinking what it means to own something truly refined. They are asking whether beauty can exist without harm, and whether elegance can be measured not only by design but also by values. Vogaya, a Dubai-born brand founded by Elke Steijns, is part of this transformation. With handbags crafted from coffee grounds and bamboo, Vogaya represents a new era of conscious luxury. As Steijns puts it: “Kindness is the new status symbol.”
Saudi Arabia’s Vegan Collagen Sector: Navigating Demand and Barriers
The Saudi vegan collagen sector is entering a dynamic growth phase, with annual expansion projected at 15 to 20 percent through the early 2030s. This momentum is driven by the rise of plant‑based lifestyles and the growing influence of clean beauty trends, which have become central to consumer choices in the Kingdom. Young, health‑conscious consumers are shaping demand, particularly in urban centers such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
Cheese Without Cows: Lebanon’s Plant‑Based Innovation in Dairy Alternatives
Lebanon’s culinary traditions are rich with dairy, from labneh and kishik to creamy desserts. Yet growing health concerns and ethical implications are reshaping the market, encouraging consumers to explore alternatives that align with wellbeing and compassion. Lebanese producers are responding to this shift by pioneering plant‑based cheese and milk alternatives, some of which are V‑Label certified. To showcase this transformation, we have prepared a selection of leading brands and their innovative products, highlighting how local producers are redefining dairy with healthier options.
Lebanon’s Dairy Campaign, Health Risks, and the Rise of Plant‑Based Alternatives
The Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture has promoted local dairy production and encouraged its consumption through national campaigns. While these initiatives have sought to boost the sector, dairy consumption in Lebanon and across the wider region nevertheless raises serious health concerns. The realities of dairy production also raise ethical questions about animal treatment that contrast with the cheerful imagery used in promotional campaigns. In light of these implications, several Lebanese producers are now offering plant‑based cheese alternatives, some of which are V‑Label certified, providing consumers with safe, transparent options that directly address these concerns.
Dailish Expands to the UAE with Golden Prestige Vegan Skincare
The UAE has welcomed a new player in the ethical beauty space as Korean skincare brand Dailish officially launches its Golden Prestige Collection. This expansion marks the brand’s first entry into the Gulf region, reflecting the growing demand for vegan-certified, science-backed skincare among conscious consumers.
Abu al‑Alaʾ al‑Maʿarri: The Medieval Poet‑Philosopher Who Refused to Steal From Nature
Abu al‑Alaʾ al‑Maʿarri (973–1057 CE), the blind Syrian poet and philosopher from Maʿarrat al‑Nuʿman, is remembered as one of the earliest voices to reject the use of animals in every form. His stance was not about ritual or asceticism, but about justice. Through his poetry and his philosophical allegories, he articulated a vision that condemned food exploitation, labor exploitation, and unnecessary killing.
Mezete: Jordan’s Fully Vegan Middle Eastern Cuisine Reaches the U.S.
Mezete, a Jordanian brand created by Kasih Food Production Co., is redefining how Middle Eastern cuisine is experienced in the United States. Building on Kasih’s decades of expertise in producing tahini and halva, Mezete has developed a portfolio that is fully vegan, halal certified, Non‑GMO, and preservative‑free. With nationwide distribution through Whole Foods Market and major chains such as Giant Eagle, Albertsons, Meijer, and ShopRite, the brand is introducing American consumers to authentic plant‑based staples that go far beyond hummus. This expansion reflects both the cultural richness of the Levant and the growing demand for clean‑label vegan foods in mainstream markets.
How to Survive a Fast‑Paced Day as a Vegan Professional in the Middle East
In the fast‑paced rhythm of Middle Eastern cities, professionals often move from early meetings to late nights with little time to pause. For those who are vegan, the challenge is sharper: rushing through the day while trying to find meals that fit their values, keep them energized, and are actually available when hunger strikes. Offices, cafés, and street food stalls may offer plenty of quick options, but most are not vegan, leaving professionals to wonder how they can get through the day without compromise.
Saudi Arabia’s Vegan Hotspots: Exploring the Best Plant‑Based Options
Saudi Arabia’s dining scene is steadily opening up to vegan offerings, with plant‑based food becoming more visible across the Kingdom. Jeddah stands out with fully vegan anchors like Nabati and Sinless, complemented by vegan‑friendly venues such as Cleanse & Glow and Moon Shell. Riyadh, while lacking a fully vegan restaurant, continues to provide strong vegan‑friendly options through cafés and international kitchens. Beyond these major cities, Al Khobar, Medina, Mecca, and smaller centers including Tabuk, Dammam, Hofuf, and Al Qatif are introducing vegan choices through juice bars, casual cafés, and restaurants. Together, these offerings highlight a growing movement that places compassion, sustainability, and health at the heart of dining in Saudi Arabia.