Friday, June 25, 2010

Why Muslims Prefer To Eat In Halal-Certified Restaurants

By Alice Sanders

A long time ago, the word Halal hasn't even been noticed by non-Muslims. Now, more and more restaurants are obeying halal laws. Though it is increasing in its popularity, many of us still don't know what it fully means. A common knowledge about halal is that it forbids Muslims from consuming pork and taking alcohol. Although partly correct, halal diet goes beyond than just those prohibitions.

Halal is a Quranic term that means lawful or allowed. Muslims are expected to consume food that are good and nourishing, and reject those that are bad. Islamic religion places a strong emphasis on cleanliness, and that includes the context of food and drink.

Halal restaurants ensure that the ingredients they use and the meals they serve are allowed in Islam. Basically, everything is allowed to be taken. However, in the interest of cleanliness and respect to God, Muslims avoid foods that are specifically defined as forbidden, or haram.

The rules include the method of animal slaughtering. In order for a meat to be rendered halal, the animal should be slaughtered correctly while reciting God's name, which recognizes the sacredness of life. The ritual slaughtering includes the swift cutting of the animal's trachea and esophagus.

Those meats that are prohibited or haram to consume include omnivores, such as dogs and monkeys, and meats that were not correctly slaughtered. Fishes are exempted from this rule.

Depending on how it is obtained and processed, a food can be considered halal or haram. Example includes an apple pie. It is permitted only if all the ingredients used are also halal. However, if lard, or pig fat, is used, then the whole apple pie is considered haram.

Gelatins may seem unthreatening at first, but there are brands that are derived from pork and thus considered haram. To rectify this, Muslim consumer groups have published food list of products that conform to Islamic dietary laws.

Despite having various races and lifestyles, Muslims are still under the same faith. They all loyally observe Islamic dietary laws. That is why there is an increasing number of halal restaurants nowadays.

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