Camel and Horse Rides in Egypt

Egypt is significant in the Islamic world because of its academic, historical, and cultural contributions but it's also one of the worst places for camels and horses.
Workers routinely strike and beat camels at major tourist sites in the country, deny them water, rest, or shade, and neglect their injuries. 
Egyptian and international organizations including Egypt Equine Aid, Animal Care Egypt, Society for the Protection of Animal Rights in Egypt, PETA Asia, and Salam for Animals have exposed the widespread abuse but the Egyptian government has failed to ensure any meaningful changes for camels.

Camel Ride Cruelty in Egypt

  • Camels and horses are forced to haul heavy carriages for tourist rides in Giza, Luxor, and other major tourist sites.

  • Workers force the exhausted animals to work without access to shade, water. The animals regularly collapse and workers typically beat them to get up and carry on. 

  • Bloody, wounded animals are routinely denied care or rest.
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  • Animals can often be seen eating garbage from nearby dumps since workers deny them food. 

How to Help Animals in Egypt

  • I̶f̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶v̶i̶s̶i̶t̶ ̶E̶g̶y̶p̶t̶ ̶o̶n̶ ̶h̶o̶l̶i̶d̶a̶y̶,̶ ̶d̶o̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶ ̶r̶i̶d̶e̶ ̶c̶a̶m̶e̶l̶s̶ ̶o̶r̶ ̶h̶o̶r̶s̶e̶s̶. UPDATE: Due to the government's failure to take any meaningful action to stop the widespread animal abuse, Salam for Animals urges Muslims to suspend any trips to the country. 

 
  • Contact the Egyptian Embassy of the United States to politely urge them to end camel and horse abuse at Egypt's major tourist sites.

FAQs About Camel Rides in Egypt

Are Camel Rides Necessary?

No. The Egyptian government has previously claimed they would replace animals with electric vehicles at tourist sites, which means that a profitable alternative exists. There is no excuse for animal abuse in Islam, especially when it can easily be stopped.

Are Camel Rides and Horse Carriages Haram?

Riding a camel or being pulled by a horse who is routinely beaten, overburdened, starved, and denied rest, shade, or medical care would be considered haram. Islam emphasizes compassion and proper treatment of the animals who Allah SWT entrusted us to care for. Many traditions tell of how the Prophet PBUH condemned cruelty to animals such as striking and beating animals.

What if I Don't Witness Animal Abuse?

Year after year, organizations have documented abuse and reports of cruelty to camels and horses in Egypt are so frequent that it is both irresponsible and un-Islamic to assume that everything is fine just so we can ride an animal for fun.