CAIRO: Amina Abaza is an ardent promoter of animal rights in Egypt. She faces an uphill battle that pits her idea of justice and goodwill toward animals with an ever increasing society that views animals as food. Abaza has been an animal rights activist for over a decade and is currently the head of Egypt's Society for the Protection of Animal Rights in Egypt (SPARE). Bikya Masr: How did you get started in animal rights? Why? I found myself in love with animals since I was a kid , my parents didn't have animals , but I was feeding the stray dogs and cats in the street, the first thing I did when I had my own house is to have a dog and foster dogs who were injured or in need until finding a loving or safe home for them..I don't know if you learn how to be compassionate or if you are born like that… When I started to work for animals as a professional it is my husband Raouf Mishriki, a business man and an artist, who gave me the courage to found S.P.A.R.E , he said if you believe in what you do do it seriously and professionally, you brought many animals to our house , this is god but you can do more and better if you open a shelter and start an animal protection organization. BM: Many people say animal rights should be put aside in the Middle East because there aren't human rights. What do you say to these people? I say to these people that human rights are earned by people, it is not the animal's fault that people of our countries don't know how to fight for their rights, also humans have a VOICE, HAVE A POLICE LAWS, TRIBUNAL, they can easily ask for their rights but what can an animal do to ask for his rights? He can't even talk he can barely scream . Humans are the ones who have to work for the rights of humans and animals. and also animals shouldn't pay for the weakness of people who are scared or not motivated to ask for their rights. BM: What difficulties have you come up against in your work? When I first started people were really shocked and thought I was a rich spoiled woman who only wanted to be different and do something fancy , but now after dozens of TV programmes where I was the guest, many articles written about S.P.A.R.E and about animalwelfare in general , after I have proven to them that Islam and all the religions where asking us for mercy and compassion to animals , people are starting to respect my work. the Media also in the beginning when I was invited in TV programmes they were very aggressive with me and wanted to amuse the viewers with my interview ( making fun of me) but I was clever enough to read about my subject and to talk about the Ancient Egyptians and how they revered and respected animals and also all the authors, prophets, philosophers who loved and respected animals, I was also saying quotes from very known authors about animals…and the interview was becoming interesting because Egyptians never knew that animals could be discussed in a scientific and serious way….it is important to talk to people's brain and heart..I think Things now are better than before and I am not seen as a ridiculous person at least not all the Egyptians think I am ridiculous because at least 8 other animal welfare organizations opened after S.P.A.R.E, we set the example and more and more animal welfare organizations in Egypt are opening and this makes me extremely happy. My only problem and surprise comes from the jealousy of some people working for animals or thinking they work for animal and some colleagues who are attacking me non stop and try to destroy S.P.A.R.E ..this is very shocking because I have helped every single person in Egypt who wanted to help the animals ..So I am attacked by people I helped and supported…I think this is the price we pay when we succeed… BM: How do people treat you when they hear you are an animal advocate? Some people open big eyes when they ask me what I do for living and I answer ” Animal Advocate” I see in their eyes the irony and I see also their thoughts ( Ok, she is crazy but she looks kind , no need to hurt her or to laugh at her..poor woman) ..but what makes people even more shocked is when I tell them that I have sacrificed my career in the Egyptian TV to focus only on the animals …. Some other people just say the classic sentence “Why don't you work for humans or children instead of working for animals.” Very very few people think I have done something good. But after all the only person who should give her opinion is me and I am so happy to do what I want to do and what I always dreamt to do … BM: What is the number one misunderstanding of animal protection? That thy are too rich and don't know where and how to spend their money. Number too is that they want to be interesting and be noticed and famous; some of them are like this. Number 3 is that they don't love humans; some of them are also like this. But a healthy balanced animal advocate loves humans, children, animals and every single weak creature on earth at least this is my case. BM: If you could change one thing about Egypt's treatment of animals, what would it be? The mentality it self of Egyptians … because the problems are huge, the slaughter house is a horror story, the circus, the private zoos, the pet shops, the stray dogs and cats shot and poisoned every day everywhere in Egypt, the poor Equines beaten wounded humiliate and overwhelmed with tonnes of staff they carry and instead of being fed an well treated they are beaten with iron sticks, the animal owners are also a calamity sometimes…the animals in the laboratories in Egypt … I wish all this could change ..Not acceptable for a country like Egypt to trat God's creatures in this cruel way. BM: Education is always a vital component for advocacy. How do you educate the population on animal issues? I visit schools and schools come to visit S.P.A.R.E, I went also to universities, but I think the best way to educate Egyptians is the media especially the TV , everybody watches TV in Egypt and many TV campaigns were extremely successful … people don't read much in Egypt and to have a good impact schools have to each RESPECT TO ALL LIVING CREATURES in the curriculum, also don't forget that 30 or eve 40 percent of Egyptians can't read or write, so TV would be the best education . BM: Are you a Vegetarian or Vegan? If not, can you justify eating animals while doing what you do? I am not vegetarian and feel very guilty for this but I always had overweight problems and all the dietitians give me meat and fish for my diet but once I will loose the 20 Kilos I have to loose I will convert to vegetarianism but I will never be vegan. BM: What is SPARE and how does it help create a better environment for animals in Egypt? Please visit the website to take some pictures and to answer your last question, we are doing so many things, choose what you want from our new website. BM
