Australian Muslim Womens Association
follow us on
  • Home
  • Muslim Women's Roundtables
  • About Us
  • Stories of Muslim women
  • Contact Us
  • Links
  • Islamic Terms
  • FAQ'S
  • Media Releases
  • AMWA's Blog
  • Rise and Shine QandA 9 June
    • Book Reviews

Halal Food - Can we trust it?

6/4/2013

15 Comments

 
Picture
Today I went to one of the most Muslim centric shopping centres in Australia - Bankstown. Like thousands of other Muslims there for the day I looked for some halal food. Most food shops display a halal certificate, but some shop owners complain that having a Muslim Halal certificate can discourage other clients who think the food is somehow tainted. 
So I asked the shop Manager - is your chicken halal? He assured me it was. Encouraged I started to order a chicken schnitzel sandwich. Then I thought - "why wouldn't he display a Certificate if his food is Halal?" So I asked - "is there any reason why you don't display a Halal Certificate?" The Manager started to get a little agitated and said - "Either you believe me or you don't. We have lots of Muslims who eat here. I don't have to display it - my customers know me and trust me!" Basically he was saying that if I don't trust him, I'm accusing him of being a liar. Fair enough I thought, I should be able to trust someone who is selling to so many Muslims in one of the busiest Muslim areas. My chicken sandwich was almost done and I paid for it.
Then I noticed that the meats were all frying on the same hard surface - "Is that bacon frying next to the chicken there?" I asked. "Oh, we keep them separate, there's a barrier between them, and we clean it regularly" they assured me. "But, the bacon is frying right next to the chicken - that means the chicken is cooking in the bacon fat!" I said. Did they think I was stupid or something? By now I had absolutely no faith in the "believe me" touch and walked up to the manager to tell him - "Listen, if your food is halal, you  wouldn't cook it on the same hot plate with pork! You can keep your sandwich" and walked off. 
This is just one of a number of recent issues in regards to halal food. I only buy my chicken reluctantly now, as so often the poor carcass is bruised - who knows what that poor chicken suffered as it was being killed? Does a Bismillah outweigh cruel and inhumane treatment? Who is overseeing these businesses? How do we know that the certificate on the wall is current? If the business changes hands, is there any oversight of the new owner? How often is the business checked? Only a few months ago I met with some friends in the halal butcher industry. They complained that the government highly regulates the halal export industry, but no one seems to care about the domestic halal industry, which in their opinion is often not halal at all. 
"Unless our Muslim community starts to demand more accountability" they said "you really can't trust anything that claims to be halal". 
Especially those who ask you to "Believe me" without any evidence or proof. 

15 Comments
Madison
29/6/2013 09:31:04 am

I am surprised to see this in Bankstown. Thank goodness you took notice to the bacon being cooked there, you would think being such a highly populated islamic area that there would be more care taken. Even if the certificate is shown is still does not say that things like this will not happen. That's fantastic that you stood your ground.

Reply
Shelly
18/7/2013 02:43:35 am

As Salam Alaikum
Would you like to advertise on a new international business directory to help Muslim business locally and Internationally then visit www.ibizzdirect.com and list your business for FREE limited offer

Reply
Mary
12/11/2013 03:19:32 am

morning, I have recently found out that a popular Italian Resaturant that alot of Muslim people frequent because of their Halal certification is actually a fake certificate, and infact the Muslim clientel are eating non halal food. The restaurant is Mancini Italian Rest, 21 Burwoord Rd Belfield. If your a Muslim I advise you don't eat at this place like I said their certificate is fake and not worth the paper it's written. Hope I have helped, anyone that has eaten their under false pretences

Reply
Moses
22/8/2014 02:56:48 pm

"morning, I have recently found out that a popular Italian Resaturant that alot of Muslim people frequent because of their Halal certification is actually a fake certificate, and infact the Muslim clientel are eating non halal food." which proves that the whole belief is a load of infantile crap. Morons.BTW clinetele has a "e" at the end. Go back to English classes.

Reply
WP admin link
15/5/2014 08:53:15 am

Please visit for the list of Halal items. http://australianmuslims.wordpress.com/halal-food-information/

Reply
Sigh
22/8/2014 12:57:07 am

Shocking! Better call Zali Burrows

Reply
W
22/8/2014 03:06:06 pm

Your comment "go back...", you do realise Islam is a religion not a race, where would a religion go back too? Please keep your ignorance to yourself. Why are you commenting on an Australian Muslim Women article if you have such an issue with Islam?
God also created you, but we don't eat you. Your justification is not intelligent. When you have thoroughly researched your opinion then I will care to listen. In the mean time, peace be with you.

Reply
Mary
22/8/2014 04:20:43 pm

What a joke this is... Poor chickens being killed inhumanely when the halal killing is the most inhumane of all.. bloody hypocrits.. Madison.. Bankstown is in Australia and shouldnt be dominated by anyone especially muslims... . ohh and W one more thing islam is not a religion it is a barbaric cult!

Reply
W
22/8/2014 04:36:20 pm

Oh I see what is happening here, Mary, Moses... You need to be more creative... I really don't know why I am bothering to respond. Your comments Mary/Moses (waiting for Joseph) are really making me laugh, thank you. Your complete ignorance is a joke, surely you have something better to do on a Friday evening. You are embarrassing not only yourself but all Australians. Guess what, get over it. All of your keyboard warrior fighting isn't going to change the fact that Islam is the fastest growing Religion, halal slaughtering is becoming more frequent in this country or that the fact more and more suburbs are becoming populated by Muslims. Madison didn't say the word dominated, you did. Obviously you have some sort of fear, a phobia, either way doesn't really matter because it's your problem. Peace be with you (p.s. I am deeply ashamed that you continue to use the Holy names for your disgusting uneducated abuse, May god have mercy on you)

Reply
getsome pork on your fork or fork off out of this country.
22/8/2014 04:52:34 pm

I think halal fees should be classed as a unlawful tax that supports financially the Islamic states and other terrorist groups . Both Islam and the Koran should be classed as a terrorist organisation and a terrorist text book. . we are at war with Islam around the world and as long as Islam retains its policy relating to infidels Islam will never be welcome . I am so glad you all get fed non halal food and it bothers you because it sure as hell does not bother me. Go Israel. Stand your ground .Australia is getting ready for round 2 of Cronulla riots if you Islamic morons do not stop your terrorist mentality.

Reply
W
22/8/2014 04:59:35 pm

Terrorism: The unofficial or unauthorized use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims - Oxford Dictionary. Now please enlighten me with your ignorant threats again. It appears you are the terrorist. Go Israel? Why don't you share your opinion about eating pork with your Israeli friends?

Reply
W
22/8/2014 05:03:21 pm

I assume this is your attitude with all Muslims, including Muslims from Malaysia, Phillipines, China, Spain, Croatia, Bosnia, Australia, Russia, France, Africa...

Reply
W
22/8/2014 05:40:42 pm

I strongly suggest you educate yourself before you continue your comments because trust me when I say you are making a fool of yourself. ISIS have been funded by Australians, Americans and Britian. I ask you to research this fact, and try to prove me wrong.
It appears you are also now defending Muslims, because the "infidels" that the ISIS are killing in mass are Muslims. Don't try and argue about killings and Infidels when you obviously have no idea what is going on. The moderate Muslim is being killed by the extremist Muslim.
You are just as guilty as any extremist because you are bullying and prosecuting innocent people!
See what I have done? Defended a religion without using threats or foul language, I have defended a religion with Peace, you on the other hand... Hmmm.

Reply
Learn Quran Online for Kids link
23/11/2014 10:06:52 am

Yes The Muslims have the Ideology of peace. Islam is for all human beings.

Reply
Zahid Hussain link
18/5/2016 01:41:46 pm

Most informative post.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Silma Ihram is an educator, trainer, former School Principal and aspiring writer. 

    Disclaimer

    The opinions expressed on this page reflect the opinions of the author and not necessarily the opinions of AMWA. 

    Archives

    November 2016
    October 2015
    March 2015
    October 2014
    August 2014
    April 2013
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011

    Categories

    All
    Barnaby Joyce
    Belief
    Career
    Clothing
    Contract
    Corey Bernadi
    Divorce
    Employment
    Extremism
    Food
    Halal
    Hijab
    ISIS
    Islamophobia
    Law
    Leaders
    Marriage
    Media
    Middle East
    Muslims
    Muslim Women
    Olympics
    Pre-nup
    Religion
    Sharia Law
    Sport
    Wives
    Work

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.