sibali

A lot of people think someone like me is over-reacting over the #Halaal certification topic since Muslims have been in this country for years. Some believe it is simply a food/item safety protocol that Muslims conduct to make sure that the food we eat is healthy and won't make us sick. That isn't what halaal certification is. So, am going to do a little summary of its main components. 1. Halaal means anything that is considered permissable in Islam as per the Quaran and Hadiths. It is a religious requirement, a component of Sharia Law which is the legal component of the Islamic religion. As a Muslim you can't engage with non halaal/haraam items be they food, music, certain books, clothing, household items etc. Sharia law and therefore halaal requirements shouldn't impact non Muslims. That's not islamaphobic or disrespectful to muslims, it is our religious right as non Muslims which the constitution protects. 2. Halaal entails the slashing of an animal's neck whilst it is alive and leaving them to bleed out. The person tasked to do this must be muslim as he must recite a prayer which includes Allah Akbar as they face Mecca. This is a problem if you belong to a different faith because now you are complicit in idol worship without knowing, which again, is a violation of non muslim religious rights. Other items must not have a trace of alcohol or pork derivative which is why 60-80% of items on the shelves of Shoprite/ Checkers, Woolies etc end up having to be Halaal acredited because if halaal foods come in contact with non halaal items they become contaminated. Meaning your toilet paper, juice, and even water must be subjected to these Muslim religious rituals without your consent. 3. Halaal isn't a standard for food safety in scientific terms which some think it is. It's not checking for bacteria or viruses or germs. It is simply making sure that pork and alcohol aren't ingredients or have not come into contact with the item or any ingredient that makes the item, therefore if you wanted bacon you will get macon etc. For food standards we have ISO standards that are used world wide and are scientific and make sure that our food and the household items we use are safe. That doesn't require a prayer to Allah facing Mecca. So, why make it a standard in a majority Christian country? 4. Halaal isn't free. The retailers pay for that certification and the cost is passed down to us the consumers. In a country with high unemployment and food insecurity it is curious as to why 98.8% of us non Muslims are subjected to this Halaal tax that we didn't ask for and frankly can't afford. I don't care if Muslims want Halaal. It is their religious right protected by the constitution. I care however that 80% of the things I buy with my money is offered in a religious ritual to a god I don't prescribe to. I care that I am basically taxed to have Halaal shoved down my throat when I never asked for it nor need it. Non muslims, who are the majority must also be respected by Muslims and retailers. We are after all the majority and therefore the lionshare of your domestic revenue stream.