The slogan of a famous Indian food delivery start-up that pressed on how “food has no religion” can be challenged- The food we consume is very much ritually and theologically programmed, it could even be the poster-child of a culture. 'Halal' in arabic refers to that which is permissible for usage and consumption for a muslim, and in the free and liberal world that we live in ,Muslims have every right to want what is halal, as do the Jews with respect to Kosher. But the food industry bending to the whims of a certain community, leading to the establishment of a monopoly would also not be fair. Halal meat is consecrated by a prayer to Allah, and the slaughtering must be done by a muslim butcher, authorized and under the supervision of a certified Islamic organization. The Islamic method of killing an animal for meat is called zabiha. After reciting the blessing, the butcher uses a surgically sharp instrument to cut the animal's throat, windpipe and the blood vessels around its neck. The blood is then allowed to drain from the body, making it a relatively unhygienic, graphic and cruel way of slaughter.
Previously, multinational fast-food chain McDonald’s was caught in a fix after the company had declared that they only serve Islamic halal-certified foods in India. This declaration had unsettled consumers from several communities who either had reservations against the cruel and inherently exclusionist halal technique or other religious compulsions.
Since a minority section of the population deeply cares about the kind of meat it prefers and the rest couldn’t care less about the method of meat slaughter, it is inevitable that the former will end up foisting its food culture on a whole countrymen it is convenient for sellers to just provide halal meat. The success of Halal certification needs the support not only of Muslims for whom this is a religious obligation, but also of non-objecting non-Muslims, the latter of which is ever increasing, given the weak tribalism and allegiance to doctrine among non-muslims.
If there was a large scale demand created for jhatka and stun meat, the market would comply. Halal is symbolic to the tyranny of the minority in which “the most intolerant wins”as explained in Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s Skin in the Game.
According to a study by Adroit Market research, the global halal market is worth more than 4.54 trillion dollars. This is more than the GDP of Germany, India or the United Kingdom. By 2025, the global halal meat industry is expected to touch 9.71 trillion dollars. The other alarming detail is that Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind,the organisation that approves of halal certification and Islamic shariyat regulations, has been under the scanner for allegedly providing aid to Islamic fringe groups and militant organizations.
Hence not only is this a matter of an economic hijack through a religious affiliation, but also the peril of unknowingly funding global terror.
What began as the taking-over of the meat industry, has also spread over vegetarian foods ,cosmetics, and various other consumer products. Ironically, even Patanjali Ayurved required an issuance of a Halal certificate to be cleared for import into other countries.
The Halal monopoly is a soft but steady Islamic force, which could be construed as the economic expansion of the religion.
Comments