Meat consumption is tied closely to Islam whether it's Eid feasts or protein filled Ramadan Iftars. Though you are likely to find Muslim households with delectable mutton cooking on the stove, what about Muslims who forgo meat altogether?

Vegan Muslim Yasir encounters dropped jaws when he reveals he follows a plant based diet. Choosing to go vegan for ethical and environmental reasons, he believes meat is not a necessity for him.

Despite bewildered reactions the Selly Oak student ploughs through and has strong opinions on the farming industry and Islam. So can falafel satisfy you after an exhaustive day of fasting in Ramadan?

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Can you still perform Qurbani, the sacrifice of an animal during Dhul Hijjah? "A lot of Muslims' first reaction is disbelief," Yasir Ahmed, 21, said, "in that how I can avoid something that they rely on so much?"

"Since meat is often a big part of their lives. It's not too dissimilar to the reactions of non-Muslims, as the question of how it fits into Islam is rarely brought up and animal products are something most people rely on.

Falafel, Harissa, Roast Vegetable and Grain Salad in the Greggs summer range
Falafel, Harissa, Roast Vegetable and Grain Salad in the Greggs summer range

"I am vegan for mainly ethical benefits but also environmental benefits. I believe there is not enough attention in Muslim communities around how the producers of the animal products they consume should be indulging in halal practices and attention is only put on meat.

"Many animals are killed in dairy and egg farming in entirely non-halal methods, and this issue is ignored. There's also the issue of how much of a necessity eating animal and meat products is nowadays.

"In the time of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, animal products were a necessity but nowadays, for a lot of people, it can be avoided entirely. For some other people it still is a necessity, but this doesn't include me personally and I am very grateful to have the freedom on what to eat."

Ramadan is surprisingly not that big of a shift with falafel being Yasir's culinary saviour. On normal days he enjoys cereal with oat milk for breakfast or a falafel sandwich, for lunch he tends to grab Aldi's vegan options.

Dinner time sees pasta and tomato sauce or rice and vegetable curry. And while he isn't huge fan of desserts he will occasionally have some vegan ice-cream. Studying at the University of Wolverhampton he is lucky to find many cheap, vegan options.

Vegan Muslim Yasir Ahmed, 21

When it comes to Qurbani Yasir normally does not participate. The practice involves sacrificing an animal in honour of Islamic Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail for the sake of God.

The meat, often a goat, cow or sheep is then distributed to the poor. Yasir said: "I understand it is a necessity for those who donate the meat and in these situations there is no alternative. And the poor do need it, but I leave Qurbani to others.

"Generally I will be very apprehensive of going to any social events where food is being served. It becomes very hard to be sure on whether you can find anything to eat without extensively checking beforehand, and oftentimes people aren't very careful regardless.

"Bringing my own food is usually the best course of action in these scenarios. I do fast and I don't think Ramadan changed much in how I manage. Falafel is nutritious and has always been a part of my diet."

When asked how he talks about veganism with other Muslims, Yasir said: "I am not fully sure as it is hard to get to people if they are used to a certain way of life. I am vegan because meat is not a necessity for me."

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