Thanksgiving is turkey time, yet many Americans are unaware that the turkey on the menu may be halal, meaning it is slaughtered according to the dictates of sharia, the religious law of Islam.
On Monday, reports began circulating around the web that one of America’s largest producers of thanksgiving turkeys, Butterball, slaughters turkeys according to the dictates of sharia law. And apparently Butterball has confirmed the rumor: all Butterball whole turkeys sold in the U.S. are slaughtered in accord with halal, and thus satisfy sharia, Islamic religious law.
Halal is a term designating any object or an action which is permissible to use or engage in, according to Islamic law. The term is used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law.
Halal slaughter is considered by many to be a barbaric and inhumane practice. Others object to the religious aspect - the offering of prayers to Allah as the animal is slaughtered.
The halal sanctioned method of slaughtering animals consists of using a well sharpened knife to make a swift, deep incision that cuts the front of the throat, the carotid artery, wind pipe and jugular veins but leaves the spinal cord intact, and the animal suffering. In addition, a prayer is said over tha animal as it suffers an agonizing death: "Bismillah allahu akbar" -- in the name of Allah the greatest.
Some concerned citizens are now boycotting Butterball turkeys - some because of the connection with Islam and sharia - others because of the brutal and inhumane method of slaughter.
What do you think? Do you find the thought of eating a halal turkey on Thanksgiving disturbing? If so, why? In not, why not? Leave a comment - express yourself.
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