In the UK there has been an increasing use of halal meat in retail outlets and restaurants. It is often served without consumers being warned or sold without clear labelling.
At Christian Concern we believe that halal meat should not be imposed on the British public. Non-Muslims should have the freedom to avoid meat that has been ritually slaughtered. We believe that halal meat should always be clearly labelled and that non-halal alternatives should always be available.
On this basis we are encouraging people to support the Operation Nehemiah Halal Campaign (run by the Barnabas Fund). Operation Nehemiah has launched a petition online as part of its Halal campaign. Please sign the petition here.
The Operation Nehemiah bulletin states:
“There is an open campaign by Islamic food agencies to integrate halal into the mainstream market and to extend it to non-Muslims. The World Halal Forum held its annual conference in London earlier this month (November), and has identified the UK as a pilot project for halal in Europe.
- Halal meat is from an animal killed and prepared in accordance with sharia, including Islamic prayer over the meat by a Muslim butcher. This meat is being sold at some of Britain's favourite supermarkets and is routinely served at some of Britain's most popular sporting venues, pubs, schools and hospitals, without the public's knowledge. The use of halal meat in the UK is increasing so fast that already most of the imported lamb on our shelves is halal.
- Halal, which means ‘permitted', also covers travel, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, finance and other areas.
- The spread of halal is often part of the commitment to Islamic mission (dawa) and the Islamisation of non-Muslim societies. The imposition of sharia practices on non-Muslims may be interpreted as an act of Islamic supremacy.”
In addition to supporting Operation Nehemiah, Christian Concern is encouraging supporters to write to their MP about the issue, and to the managers of the supermarkets listed below. Detailed information about which supermarkets are selling unlabelled halal products can be found here.
- The Co-operative Group: (who own Somerfield) Chief Executive: Mr Peter Marks
New Century House, Corporation Street, MANCHESTER, M60 4ES
0161 834 1212, E-mail: peter.marks@co-operative.coop
- Marks & Spencer: Chief Executive: Mr Marc Bolland
Waterside House, 35 North Wharf Road, LONDON, W2 1NW
020 7935 4422, E-mail: marc.bolland@marks-and-spencer.com
- Sainsbury’s plc: Chief Executive: Mr Justin King
33 Holborn, LONDON, EC1N 2HT
020 7695 6000, 0800 636262, E-mail: justin.king@sainsburys.co.uk
- TESCO: Chief Executive: Mr Terry Leahy
Tesco House, Delamare Road, Cheshunt, WALTHAM CROSS, Hertfordshire, EN8 9SL
01992 632222, 0800 505555, E-mail: terry.leahy@tesco.com (or terry.leahy@uk.tesco.com) - Waitrose: Managing Director: Mr Mark Price
Doncastle Road, Southern Industrial Area, BRACKNELL, Berkshire, RG12 8YA
01344 424680, E-mail: mark_price@waitrose.co.uk
Please make your letters personal. You could include the following points:
- Many Christians and members of other faiths are disturbed to learn that their own religious beliefs have been violated because they have consumed halal products without knowing it.
- Non-Muslims should not have to follow Muslim practices if they do not wish to do so. Freedom is being infringed by the widespread and unadvertised sale of halal products and meals.
- We request that halal products should always be clearly labelled and advertised as such.
- We also request that all supermarkets should provide non-halal meat of all kinds for non-Muslims to purchase, so that a choice is made available for all.
Resources
Christian Concern: Growing concern as British Public misled over halal meat
Detailed information on halal meat in Britain from the Barnabas Fund can be found here.