Syed Rizvi, a founding member of PETA, also founded Engineers & Scientists for Animal Rights
Syed Abulbar Rizvi, 92, founder of Engineers & Scientists for Animal Rights, a longtime leading link between the animal advocacy communities of Pakistan and those of the west, and a leading voice for animals within Islam, died in his sleep in New York City on February 15, 2026.
“He was the last remaining sibling of my father and a guiding light in my life, having bestowed upon me my name and shaping my thoughts,” recalled nephew Vaqar Raees.
“A distinguished research scientist”
“A distinguished research scientist,” Vaqar Raees wrote, “Uncle Syed made significant contributions to the fields of laser technology and semi-conductors, authoring numerous papers and books. His dedication to knowledge and compassion extended beyond his professional pursuits, as he was a passionate advocate for animal rights and a devoted vegan.
“Throughout his life,” Vaqar Raees continued, “Uncle Syed demonstrated extraordinary resilience, having survived cancer twice and overcome dialysis early last year. His passing leaves a profound void, and he will be deeply missed.
“In his personal life,” Vaqar Raees mentioned, “Uncle Syed’s love for learning and literature was evident in his vast collection of books, which filled his home to the extent that space had to be made on the couch to accommodate seating. His selfless dedication to his passions and his family will continue to inspire us all.”
(PETA photo)
PETA “Hero to Animals Award”
Testified the text of a “Hero to Animals Award” personally presented to Syed Rizvi by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals [PETA] president Ingrid Newkirk on December 16, 2013, “If all caring people were as energetic, fearless, and enterprising as Syed Rizvi, one of PETA’s founding members, animal liberation would have been achieved a long time ago!”
PETA lauded Engineers & Scientists for Animal Rights as “an important and early voice for lending support and professional credence to a new movement. Syed’s outspoken advocacy against raising animals for food, vivisection, and cruelty in the name of religion has inspired people worldwide, including in his native country of Pakistan,” the “Hero to Animals” award text added.
“He has been a leading voice for animal rights in the Muslim community,” the PETA award text continued. “When PETA India was first launched, Syed was one of the first to jump in to help translate our publications. When we needed him, he was there. Whenever animals are in trouble, he is there.
Credited vegan diet for recovery from cancer
“When he’s not rescuing cats,” PETA said, “his fingers are flying over the keyboard writing articles and letters on a plethora of issues, including the suffering of Australian sheep who, after their wool production has declined, are packed off to the Middle East by the tens of thousands and crammed onto open-decked ships for horrific journeys to meet a grisly end in a slaughterhouse.
“Syed credits his vegan diet with helping in his recovery from cancer—and he serves as a powerful example of the benefits of keeping milk, meat, and eggs off our plates,” PETA finished.
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Syed Rizvi later “was first in his family to migrate from India to the United States,” nephew Wamiqq Jawaid recalled.
“Moving with animals”
Within the U.S., Syed Rizvi relocated from Dallas, Texas to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1989; from Chapel Hill to Austin, Texas, in 1992; from Austin to San Jose, California, in 1996; and finally to his last home in New York City, taking his multiple cats and dogs with him each time.
Syed Rizvi detailed the first three of those moves in a “PETA Prime” blog post entitled “Moving With Animals.”
“An academic, an engineer, an inventor, and a life-long animal activist, Syed was above all a kind-hearted naturalist to the degree that all living things deserve an equal respectful place on this planet,” Wamiqq Jawaid wrote.
“In his professional life, Syed was devoted to the beauty and precision of physics, to the wonder of discovery, and the creation of technology that was meant to serve, to illuminate, and to uplift. In the laws of the universe, he found both truth and humility,” Wamiqq Jawaid observed.
“Though he was involved in many groundbreaking innovative advancements that have revolutionized the world, he never sought fame. His only humble goal was to contribute to the vast tapestry of human understanding of the universe.”
Rallied global support for Pakistani animal advocates
Many times Syed Rizvi rallied international support for Pakistani animal advocates in response to governmental actions that they had only limited means and political freedom to protest.
On May 13, 2005, for instance, Syed Rizvi warned in an e-mail quickly distributed worldwide by pro-animal newsgroups that “Karachi mayor Niamatullah Khan is about to go on a rampage, poisoning 500,000 stray dogs in total disregard of alternatives presented by the Pakistan Animal Welfare Society, along with a large number of doctors, health officials, and Karachi citizens.
“The City of Karachi is preparing 500,000 strychnine capsules,” Syed Rizvi charged. “I have been in constant touch with Mahera Omar of the Pakistan Animal Welfare Society,” Syed Rizvi said, “who is asking that emails and letters from the international community be sent to the authorities, asking them to refrain from this barbaric practice.
“Please e-mail to General Parvez Musharraf, the President of Pakistan, who is a dog lover himself,” Syed Rizvi asked. “Some might have seen his picture in Newsweek recently, holding his two little dogs close to his heart.”
As of August 4, 2005, Mahera Omar advised, “the city has not yet begun their street dog poisoning campaign,” but a street dog sterilization campaign organized by veterinarian I.M. Kathio was underway.
Spoke out for bustards
Four years later, Syed Rizvi wrote in a widely distributed open letter to animal advocates worldwide, “I am dismayed to have learned on December 24, 2009 that the Pakistani government is awarding hunting permits to sheiks and dignitaries of the Persian Gulf States and Saudi Arabia to kill the endangered houbara bustard,” a favorite target of falconers.
“These gentle creatures are facing extinction and are protected under Pakistani and international law. It is a shame that the Pakistani government is allowing foreign VIPs and kings to carry out an illegal act for which a Pakistani citizen could go to prison.
“At one time these birds migrated through the Gulf nations,” Syed Rizvi remembered, “but years of shooting sprees eventually extirpated them from that flight path. Now their killers are venturing into neighboring countries like Pakistan to destroy the remnant houbaras.
“These kings and sheiks who claim to be protectors of Islamic values by enforcing Sharia laws are hunting contrary to the teaching of the holy prophet Muhammad,” Syed Rizvi charged, “who said ‘One who kills even a sparrow or anything smaller without a justifiable reason, will be answerable to Allah.’”
(See Allowed to hunt rare bustards in Pakistan, Saudi prince kills 20 times the bag limit, Did the bastards kill any bustards? Oil sheik hunters evicted from Pakistan, and Were six soldiers blown up over bustards in Balochistan on Christmas Day?)
Animals In Islam
Perhaps the pinnacle of Syed Rizvi’s achievements on behalf of animals was arranging publication and international free distribution of Animals In Islam, 2nd edition, detailing pro-animal Islamic teachings from Al-Ma’arri (973-1057) to ABA Masri (1914-1992), assembled by Al-Hafiz Basheer Ahmad Masri, with Syed Rizvi’s own forward.
Explained a brief preface, “This book is published for non-commercial and free distribution in collaboration with the Pakistan Medical Association, the Pakistan Animal Welfare Society, and Engineers & Scientists for Animal Rights to create awareness about animal rights among general public and Muslims living all over the world.”
(See Pro-animal teachings in Islam made available free to the world.)
Syed Rizvi also produced a three-part denunciation of Islamic animal sacrifice as practiced each year at Ramadan, published on the website NewAgeIslam.com, titled Animal Sacrifice vs. Compassionate Eid: An Open Letter To Our Muslim Brothers and Sisters.
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RIP a most wonderful champion for cats, and other living beings. May he be many times blessed!
Sharing with gratitude.
I remember Syed very clearly. He passed through Honolulu and we had dinner at a wonderful Thai restaurant. He chose the hottest (vegan of course) dish and asked for extra chiles on the side. He sent his entree back twice, explaining. it wasn’t spicy enough!
His description of moving with multiple animals on board was marvelous. He was a wonderful person and will be missed…and he could really rock a tuxedo!
Beth- I love the short cut- it suits you!
An awesome human-e.