Halal Meat?

[vwdan]

So the animal understands Arabic?

That's a good point - should the prayer be in a local language so that the animal understands? This really highlights the importance of tracking the animal from birth.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

That's a good point - should the prayer be in a local language so that the animal understands? This really highlights the importance of tracking the animal from birth.

erm I think it was a joke

[NotAllThere]

India? Greece? could name a few others too.

Greece has a state church so is not a secular state. India is a secular state in name, but in practice is Hindu. Muslims may face discrimination in Greece, but they are not persecuted. Persecution of Muslims does go in in India, but converts from one religion to another do not officially face the death penalty.

[vwdan]

erm I think it was a joke

I know, I was running with it. Sorry I suck

[lilelvis2000]

Greece has a state church so is not a secular state. India is a secular state in name, but in practice is Hindu. Muslims may face discrimination in Greece, but they are not persecuted. Persecution of Muslims does go in in India, but converts from one religion to another do not officially face the death penalty.

Tony Blair, is that you?

[NickFitz]

A few years ago, I regularly used a Halal butcher a few doors down from me - I lived in an area of Leicester that's predominantly Muslim (probably greater than 90%) then.

One interesting thing I noticed was that the husband/butcher never took the money: that was his wife's prerogative. One day I went in while the wife wasn't there, and once the butcher had cut, trimmed, and wrapped the chicken legs I was buying, he then just chatted away, making small talk. A couple of minutes later his wife returned from the back (it was a terraced corner shop, and their home). He told her what I'd bought, and she took my money, apologising for having made me wait.

So it transpired they had a strict division of labour: he butchered, and she handled the money side. I've seen similar setups in other Muslim families-that-are-also-businesses, too.

Oh, and the meat: always really good quality, and cheaper than the supermarkets. And almost all Halal meat in the UK is stunned before being slaughtered. If somebody wants to say a few prayers over it before killing it, I don't see that it makes any difference to me or to the animal, which dies by the same methods in slaughterhouses where they don't pray.

[CloudWalker]

I don't think the Islamic community in the Middle East would like some Christian throwing Holy Water at their animals before slaughter. So why is it acceptable in the UK.
Regardless of how the ritual is performed the fact is food hygiene and animal welfare should always come first.

[d000hg]

The bulk of UK people don't hold strong religious convictions of any sort so your implication Muslims are tainting the food of a Christian nation isn't a good parallel. Especially when many non-Muslim businesses are switching to Halal... it's not like Muslims are taking over the businesses, 'christian' businesses are choosing to do this in order to attract a wider customer base.

Also even quite strict Islamic nations (not the strictest but they're special cases) will allow you to buy pork and alcohol if you're not a Muslim.

[Mich the Tester]

I don't think the Islamic community in the Middle East would like some Christian throwing Holy Water at their animals before slaughter. So why is it acceptable in the UK.
Regardless of how the ritual is performed the fact is food hygiene and animal welfare should always come first.

Most Islamic countries allow Christian traditions too; most also allow you to buy pork and alcohol but supply is limited as there isn't much demand. There are a few exceptions.

[norrahe]

A few years ago, I regularly used a Halal butcher a few doors down from me - I lived in an area of Leicester that's predominantly Muslim (probably greater than 90%) then.

One interesting thing I noticed was that the husband/butcher never took the money: that was his wife's prerogative. One day I went in while the wife wasn't there, and once the butcher had cut, trimmed, and wrapped the chicken legs I was buying, he then just chatted away, making small talk. A couple of minutes later his wife returned from the back (it was a terraced corner shop, and their home). He told her what I'd bought, and she took my money, apologising for having made me wait.

So it transpired they had a strict division of labour: he butchered, and she handled the money side. I've seen similar setups in other Muslim families-that-are-also-businesses, too.

Oh, and the meat: always really good quality, and cheaper than the supermarkets. And almost all Halal meat in the UK is stunned before being slaughtered. If somebody wants to say a few prayers over it before killing it, I don't see that it makes any difference to me or to the animal, which dies by the same methods in slaughterhouses where they don't pray.

It's not only how they have been killed but the quality of life the animal has.

I always like to know where the meat comes from and if the farm is reputable, if an animal has been given crap food, shot full of chemicals and is stuck on an intensive farm with little or no space, then it will taste crap.

I avoid hal-al or kosher as the killing is too stressful for the animal and more often than not they come from intensively reared farms.