
Order Michael Finch’s new book, A Time to Stand: HERE. Prof. Jason Hill calls it “an aesthetic and political tour de force.”
Many concerning issues arise when considering the Islamic concept of halal. Halal is an Arabic term meaning permissible. Therefore, halal refers to practices that Muslims are allowed to partake in, according to Islamic theology and law. Conversely, haram is the Islamic term referring to that which is forbidden to Muslims.
Many activities considered to be halal are deemed to be illegal in secular societies. These crimes include, but are not limited to, the crimes of slavery, sex slavery, wife beating, the killing of Muslim apostates, and pedophilia. For a more thorough examination of crimes considered to be permissible in Islam, see my previous six-part series of articles found here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, and Part 6. Before addressing the evils that are undeniably part and parcel of Islamic theology and law, let us first briefly consider the negative aspects of halal as they relate to the food industry.
In non-Islamic lands, we are seeing a notable increase in Muslim-owned grocery stores, restaurants and specialty butcheries, etc. The cruelty of slaughtering animals in accordance with halal standards is well documented, along with the fact that Muslim-owned meat processing plants tend to prioritize the hiring of Muslim immigrants, so as to increase the Muslim population within non-Islamic lands. See graphic video heredocumenting halal slaughterhouse practices.
In short, halal slaughter traditionally requires an animal to be killed through a specific method (the slitting of the animal’s throat while Islamic prayers are recited) that typically does not involve the pre-stunning of the animal. Critics argue that slaughter without stunning is inhumane, raising concerns among animal welfare advocates. Furthermore, supporting halal butcheries and Islamic-owned businesses inevitably leads to the further spread of certain troublesome Islamic practices such as those mentioned above.
The remainder of this article will examine the concept of halal being applied more broadly, and examine why this reality is highly problematic. It is highly problematic if non-Islamic societies permit certain troublesome Islamic behaviors to be performed — behaviors such as child marriage, multiple marriages, gender-bias inheritance rules, the jihad imperative, etc. Numerous severe legal and social problems inevitably manifest if these behaviors are allowed to occur.
A good way of further understanding the concept of halal is to consider the many personal realms of life that it regulates. Arguably, the most problematic aspect of halal is the category of personal conduct. Tragically, the concept of halal gives Muslims permission to commit crimes that are considered by the civilized world to be grossly uncivilized.
Speaking as a former Muslim living with the realities of Islam’s formal and informal death penalty for apostasy, my conscience will not permit me to purchase halal products. After all, how could ex-Muslims such as I be expecting to support a religious system that calls for our deaths for no other “crime” than simply choosing to leave it? In truth, all persons of conscience ought to boycott all halal products for the reasons put forth in this article.
Some people may jump to the conclusion that boycotting all halal products is an extreme and cruel proposition. I dare to disagree, and insist that it is both reasonable and justifiable to do so. Islam is undoubtedly philosophically and morally rotten to the core, and the sooner that Muslims walk away from it, the better off we all will be.
Certainly there are peaceful Muslims who do not act upon Islam’s many inhumane teachings. Yet sadly a large number of them will do so, because the Islamic texts give them permission to do so. Therein lies the rub.
When examining regions of the non-Islamic world where Muslims are large in number, we observe that Muslims tend to exploit the modern welfare state and cause all manner of social and legal problems in their quest to overtake these societies and turn them into Islamic lands governed by the Sharia.
The no-go zones throughout Europe that have evolved over recent decades should be a wakeup call for all free nations. Sweden, France, Germany, the UK and others are now literally teetering on the brink of social and financial collapse due to the influx of Muslim migrants and other mismanagements.
Here are statistics from 2011 on no-go zones in Europe. The situation has gotten much worse since then. If these trends are not reversed the future will not lead to peaceful and positive outcomes.