Rubaiya Ahmad

Founder, Obhoyaronno - Bangladesh Animal Welfare Foundation.

Here’s why feeding stray dogs may be far from a heroic act

Those who love dogs are ostracised. Many who otherwise felt neutral about dogs are now against them. And why wouldn’t they be?

DSCC just can’t seem to get it right when it comes to dogs

Are we willing to pay this pet tax? Absolutely not.

Only radical kindness can drive true reform

This was nearly a decade ago, when we set up Obhoyaronno, the country’s first animal welfare organisation with a mission to end dog culling in Bangladesh.

Why the relocation of street dogs is counterproductive, cruel

On August 12, 2020, the Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh declared that he will remove some 30,000 dogs from Dhaka city. There have been massive protests in response to his statement from both local and international communities.

The passage of the Animal Welfare Bill 2019: Only the beginning

On July 7, I was in the auditorium of the Bangladesh national parliament house, holding my breath, squeezing my colleague’s hand, and bursting in excitement when the deputy Speaker took votes and passed the new bill. From the time the cabinet approved the draft

Why I loved Anthony Bourdain

A few months ago, I was under fire for mourning a death. My favourite celebrity Anthony Bourdain had died. I fell in love with Bourdain in my 20s — long before I became a vegan or even a vegetarian, and long before I entered the field of animal welfare.

“Baby's right to choose”

My two year old nephew, who I hoped would grow up to be a vegetarian, if not vegan, is neither anymore. He started off on a good note with eating miso mashed potatoes and date brownies, but slowly he learned to *ask* for food.

Veganism and Ramadan

I “discovered” fasting at the age of 40. The number 40 has great significance throughout all the holy books. It represents transition or change; the concept of renewal; a new beginning and apparently has the power to lift a spiritual state. I felt rather special and “chosen” by this sudden change and decided to embrace the new me. The old me, who grew up in a very religious home, would be dragged out of bed to eat sehri at 3 am, go out during the day with

January 13, 2023
January 13, 2023

Here’s why feeding stray dogs may be far from a heroic act

Those who love dogs are ostracised. Many who otherwise felt neutral about dogs are now against them. And why wouldn’t they be?

December 27, 2022
December 27, 2022

DSCC just can’t seem to get it right when it comes to dogs

Are we willing to pay this pet tax? Absolutely not.

December 11, 2021
December 11, 2021

Only radical kindness can drive true reform

This was nearly a decade ago, when we set up Obhoyaronno, the country’s first animal welfare organisation with a mission to end dog culling in Bangladesh.

September 14, 2020
September 14, 2020

Why the relocation of street dogs is counterproductive, cruel

On August 12, 2020, the Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh declared that he will remove some 30,000 dogs from Dhaka city. There have been massive protests in response to his statement from both local and international communities.

July 19, 2019
July 19, 2019

The passage of the Animal Welfare Bill 2019: Only the beginning

On July 7, I was in the auditorium of the Bangladesh national parliament house, holding my breath, squeezing my colleague’s hand, and bursting in excitement when the deputy Speaker took votes and passed the new bill. From the time the cabinet approved the draft

October 23, 2018
October 23, 2018

Why I loved Anthony Bourdain

A few months ago, I was under fire for mourning a death. My favourite celebrity Anthony Bourdain had died. I fell in love with Bourdain in my 20s — long before I became a vegan or even a vegetarian, and long before I entered the field of animal welfare.

September 25, 2018
September 25, 2018

“Baby's right to choose”

My two year old nephew, who I hoped would grow up to be a vegetarian, if not vegan, is neither anymore. He started off on a good note with eating miso mashed potatoes and date brownies, but slowly he learned to *ask* for food.

June 12, 2018
June 12, 2018

Veganism and Ramadan

I “discovered” fasting at the age of 40. The number 40 has great significance throughout all the holy books. It represents transition or change; the concept of renewal; a new beginning and apparently has the power to lift a spiritual state. I felt rather special and “chosen” by this sudden change and decided to embrace the new me. The old me, who grew up in a very religious home, would be dragged out of bed to eat sehri at 3 am, go out during the day with

May 15, 2018
May 15, 2018

I am a vegan and I come in peace!

We all tend to stick to our own kind, but being a vegan in Bangladesh, there are not enough of us to form a “kind” of any sort and my non-vegan family and friends are too awesome to replace. However, I often find myself in situations where people feel judged or even attacked by my mere presence or by what's NOT on my dinner plate.

April 17, 2018
April 17, 2018

Bake a cake – vegan style!

Baking relies on some simple principles about what ingredients you are using, how you combine them and how you cook them. The same principles apply to vegan baking. Except, vegans do not use dairy milk, butter, or eggs.

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