Interview with Social Justice Advocate & Muslim Vegan Zeynep Duygu Agbayir

Zeynep Duygu Agbayir is a human and animal rights defender from Turkey. She grew up in Erzurum, a city in eastern Anatolia. Zeynep is a well-known voice for human and animal rights; her fearless tweets about feminism, LGBTQIA+, and anti-capitalism spark applause and outrage. She describes herself primarily as a feminist and vegan and is part of a group known as Anti-Capistlist Muslims. Before starting to work at an NGO, Zeynep used to work as a teacher; she quickly realized that her political ideas were perceived as being too radical and that the limitations to her freedom of speech while teaching were going to be unbearable. In 2017, her studio apartment was raided by 20 police officers, resulting in a lengthy legal process charging her with being affiliated with a terrorist group and a prison sentence of six months. Zeynep remains courageous in her advocacy and believes that engaging in social justice is a moral imperative. 

Zeynep, what are some of the social justice issues you are most passionate about?

It’s difficult for me to list them all because I am active in all social justice and resistance movements that fight against inequality. I identify mostly as a feminist and vegan and believe that the feminist resistance and animal rights movement need much more support.

How do you experience the world as a Muslim?

It’s difficult; it feels as though it’s a never-ending struggle. You feel obliged to explain yourself repeatedly with cliche phrases starting with “I am not one of those...” because when people approach you, they usually shower you with a ton of bias and prejudice. But I decided that the effort I spend on explaining myself is emotionally draining, so I quit trying. Why would I let myself get bogged down by my Muslim identity when I am busy trying to fight against animal exploitation and expand my own awareness of rights-based issues. None of it is about a conflict between Muslims and non-Muslims; I think that resistance against tyranny must be based on an inclusive and intersectional mindset.

“I think that resistance against tyranny must be based on an inclusive and intersectional mindset.”

What inspired you to become a vegan and to advocate for animals? 

When I started living with animals, everything changed. I believe that everything is part of a vast universe, part of one whole. That everything was created for the use of humans is a common view. Sometimes it’s rooted in religion, sometimes in tradition, and sometimes in culture. I reject this view. All sentient beings are equals. And if you are already fighting against one form of systemic exploitation, it’s only natural that you learn about other structures of oppression as well. I am surrounded by a variety of different people, and many have never heard of veganism or don’t understand its philosophy, but this is a topic I am never tired of speaking about. I also know that there is still a lot I have to learn about veganism.

What is your opinion on the relationship between Islam and animal rights?

When we look at the Quran, we see some restrictions when it comes to animal use. There were certain limitations to using and consuming animals. Considering the context in which the Quran was written, I appreciate the fact that there were some regulations even back then.

What is it like to be a Muslim vegan?

Being a Muslim vegan is similar to being a Muslim feminist. “Feminist” is still considered a sort of negative label. Plus we’re dealing with a patriarchal interpretation of what it means to be religious. When I say that I am a Muslim and a feminist, both those who are Muslim and those who are secular or progressive tell me that I cannot be both; I am told that I cannot be a feminist if I am Muslim. But I believe that feminism is all-encompassing and intersectional. There is patriarchy and capitalism at the root of oppression, so the separation within feminism should not be Muslim vs. non-Muslim. It’s very similar to being a Muslim vegan. Again, I think we need to fight against oppression collectively.

Do you think the mainstream vegan movement is inclusive and welcoming towards Muslim vegans?

I don’t really think the mainstream vegan movement adequately includes Muslims, but I don’t want to be unfair. It is generally essential to look at all individuals from a rights-based perspective. Vegans must oppose capitalism and patriarchal domination. I really think we need a much more inclusive vision.

“Intersectionality is a unifying framework based on empathy and creates a space free of discrimination and hateful discourse.”

What is your opinion on intersectionality, and do you apply it to your advocacy?

Intersectionality is a unifying framework based on empathy and creates a space free of discrimination and hateful discourse. It is a space where all colors come together. It needs to be based on resistance against capitalism and patriarchy and all systems of exploitation. At least, this is the type of resistance that I desire for us.

You can find Zeynep Duygu Agbayir on Twitter.

Ayse Deniz Kavur