HALAL Animal Slaughter Policy

As part of the halal-economy agenda, Malaysia or Dubai could be an ideal platform to explore in depth the issues surrounding animal slaughter through international conferences/summits.

There is much confusion among Muslims (too many certification bodies) and misunderstanding among non-Muslims, which leads to the fragmentation of halal-related extremism and wild accusations toward halal (consumers).

It is very common for all Muslims to mention the name of the Creator in gratitude before receiving food; the only difference may be a matter of timing. Before eating at the table—for example, at halal slaughter—the name of the Creator is used: Bismillahi Allahuakbar. But here, this grace is often mentioned before a meal, or at Thanksgiving or a family banquet: 'Please bless and cleanse our food and grant us your grace; let us remember the needs of others. Amen.'

The Gulf Cooperation Council, as a net food-importing organization, imports food such as meat, chicken and mutton from countries such as the United States, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand; regulations require checking their upstream living conditions.

There are several implications:

* Are these part of notorious factory farming, or are they grass-fed/free-range, non-hormone, non-antibiotic-raised animals? If these animals are born, raised or fed inhumanely with the carcasses of some other animals, then slaughter will not make them clean food (leakage, mid-process or logistics (cross-contamination))—instead it makes them forbidden. This is also important for non-Muslims, because at the food supply-chain stage, the food is also contaminated, posing health risks.

* Free-range/grass-fed livestock symbolize organic growth, and the halal industry needs to pay special attention to this part, because it is extremely related to the needs of others.

* The halal food supply chain (80%-90%) is not controlled/owned by Muslims; the sale of these things is controlled by multinational companies, and doing so does not comply with Halal regulations because of an excessive debt ratio or having more than a 'smaller' percentage of income from never-permitted sources (such as pork)!

So where does the financing come from? Halal-style slaughter—without stunning but treating animals inhumanely (making them suffer greatly)—has already caused an uproar in many countries such as Poland and Denmark and in some associations such as the British Veterinary Association. This gives us an ideal opportunity to discuss where the problems lie:

* The scientific basis for the degree of anxiety and pain of animals is (1) walking, binding and slaughtering the animal before slaughter (2) close to non-stun slaughter as well as stun slaughter. I am even willing to submit a live recording of halal animals being stunned (electrodes implanted in the animal's body) and non-stun slaughter. Then the Halal meat products can be used to host a dinner or donated to charity. Yes, for many Muslims this will be the first time they see a slaughter scene, which may make them uncomfortable.

* Research raises the issue of cruel stunning of animals and the effect of animal pain. Could there be alternative methods? For example, magnetic stunning?

* Scientific evidence is raised on the healthiness of halal slaughter versus non-halal. If the blood is not completely drained, there will be health problems. Therefore, the saying 'cleanliness is next to godliness' has been applied in daily life. Stunning has become a confusing issue among Muslims. A practical suggestion might be labeling: for the animal, (1) stunned or not (2) machine slaughter or hand slaughter (3) at slaughter, using the Creator's name via a machine recording or an individual's voice in supplication? Clearly, hand slaughter will be inefficient (especially slaughtering chickens), and the result may cause a premium on halal products. If possible, most halal slaughter is done with stunning.

Food, not money, is the only thing connecting Jews (Kosher) and Muslims (Halal) in places such as Poland, Denmark, the United States and the UK. For example, during the slaughter-ban periods in Poland and Denmark, Jews (Kosher) and Muslims (Halal) submitted a joint statement to the government authorities. Thus, interests align.

We are equally concerned about these issues of treating animals and slaughter. So where do the differences between us lie?