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From: JM
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 4:07 AM
Subject: Controversy around Al-Safa's Halal continues Controversy around Al-Safa's
Halal continues
Muslim consumers have a right to know the following facts about the
products produced by "Al-Safa" a Canada based company.
What is in a Name?
When you look at the name of the company, it reads "Al-Safa." What a
beautiful Islamic name! When you look at the logo of the company, it has a
mosque, minaret, and date trees. What a beautiful Islamic symbol! To further win
the hearts of the Muslim consumer, Al-Safa has "Halal" written in Arabic on its
packages. What an alluring catchword!
Furthermore, when you call at the toll free number given on the green
colored flier and ads, the recording at the other side starts, with "Assalam -
Alaikum" . What a beautiful greeting! After the greeting, a female voice runs
the menu. The first two names that she mentions are Muslim names, as if the
company is owned and run by Mr. Q and sister M. The other non-Muslim names
follow these two Muslim names.
Behind the facade of this outward appearance, i.e., the name (Al-Safa),
Islamic symbolism, Muslim names of personnel, etc., the fact is that Al-Safa is
owned and operated by a non-Muslim (Jew). There is nothing wrong in having the
company owned and operated by a Jew. Muslims routinely by things produced by
Jews, Hindus, and others. Muslims even buy Kosher products all the time because
Quran allows Muslims to do that. Muslims are very open minded consumers. What is
wrong is the deception of the identity. Muslim consumer should refuse to be
fooled by such deceptions. Muslim consumer has a right to know the facts. Let
the facts be known.
Reciprocity between Halal and Kosher
Ironically, Muslim consumers are buying the Halal products produced by a
Jewish company (Al-Safa). Will Jewish consumers buy Kosher products produced by
a Muslim company? The answer is and has been emphatically: Never!
Many Jewish Rabbi and Kosher meat producers approached Muslim Halal meat
producers and asked if Muslims can buy the hind quarter of an animal slaughtered
according to the Kosher standard (Jews do not consume the hind quarter even
though the animal is slaughtered according to Kosher law). When they are replied
asking if the Jewish community would buy the front quarter of an animal
slaughtered according to the Halal/Zabiha standard; their answer was
emphatically: No!
It is not a matter of bigotry. It is a matter of trust and comfort level.
Halal is the identity of Muslims and Kosher is the identity of the Jews. Let
each group keep their respective identities protected and catered by their own
people and businesses.
Halal /Zabiha Claim
Al-Safa was first under the Halal supervision of ISNA, Canada (Islamic
Society of North America) for quite some time. ISNA, Canada withdrew its Halal
certification in August, 1999. The reason given was Al-Safa and MGI (parent
company of Al-Safa) have not been able to meet the standard required for ISNA,
Canada's certification standard. Al-Safa, on the other hand, claimed that ISNA
Canada would not certify the hand slaughtered poultry which was demanded by the
Muslim consumers. It is really confusing. Why would ISNA Canada not certify the
hand slaughtered poultry. The reasons given by either party were vague and
confusing.
After dropping ISNA Canada, Al-Safa found another organization called
IFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America) based in Chicago to
authenticate its Halal/Zabiha. claim.
ISNA Canada is located in the Toronto area where Al-Safa's products are
manufactured in the vicinity plants. If ISNA Canada could not supervise the
production, how can IFANCA based in Chicago supervise the production of various
products sitting in Chicago. The claim of "Open door policy" by Al-Safa and the
claim of "strict standards for Halal food processing and marketing" by IFANCA
seems nothing more than a empty slogans. In practice it simply does not work.
The verification is simply next to impossible. It is only "Taqwa" on the part of
the manufacturer that can guarantee the Halal claim. It is a fact that even some
of the Muslim Halal stores have failed this test of "Taqwa" across North
America. Are Muslim consumers then expecting a Jewish producer (Al-Safa) to pass
this test? When the motive is profitability and not a commitment to
Halal/Zabiha, regardless of whether it is a Muslim, Jew or any one else, the
Halal claim cannot and must not be trusted.
Does it make a business Sense for the Muslim community?
There are an estimated six million Muslims in the North America.
Halal/Zabiha is the food that they are all supposed to eat. Demand for Halal/
Zabiha food is growing rapidly. Up until now, local Halal/Zabiha stores owned
and operated by Muslims were catering to the Halal/Zabiha demand of Muslim
consumers. Now Al-Safa, a non-Muslim (Jewish) manufacturer has come up with a
Halal line of products with a distribution network all over North America.
Obviously his connections had helped him in getting these products in the
American supermarkets across North America. For a Muslim producer, it is not at
all possible.
The local Halal/Zabiha stores are happily carrying Al-Safa's nicely
packaged Halal line of products. Muslim consumers are happy for the convenience
of those products. Al-Safa's products have already captured the Muslim market
and are now available both in American supermarkets and local Halal meat stores
across North American continent.
Al-Safa started with cold cuts. It will soon get into Halal meat and Halal
poultry. In fact, it has advertised for its bulk fresh poultry program (50 pound
cases, gas flushed, hand slaughtered Zabiha). When those nicely packaged
products will be available in American supermarkets, Muslim consumers will buy
the Halal meat and poultry from the American supermarkets. Why would they spend
hours waiting in local Muslim Halal meat stores? Evidently, this will dry out
the local Muslim Halal meat and poultry stores. The Muslim owned Halal stores
will then be wiped out and go out of business. The Muslim consumers will then be
buying their Halal meat and poultry from American supermarkets. That will be the
end of the Muslim producers of Halal meat and poultry. Muslim consumers will
then be totally dependent on non-Muslim producers for their Halal meat/poultry
supply.
What to do
It is halal for Muslims to buy Kosher meat, but we don't have to buy halal
from Jews as well. Jewish people should consider allowing Muslims to enter
Kosher meat market if they want to capture halal meat market. We understand that
it is a sensitive issue for Jews as well as Muslims. Let Muslims control halal
as Jews control Kosher. Fair enough?
Let the Muslim consumers not be easy bait under the guise of convenience.
Yes the packaging is alluring. Yes, the product is appealing; yes, the product
could be Halal, although an element of doubt is there, but is it worth using it
at the cost of Muslim safety, Muslim identity and Muslim business? Beyond the
simple issue of Halal and Zabiha, what is the Masleha and wisdom? Get the bigger
picture. Think about it. An informed consumer is the best consumer.
The Halal cold cuts manufactured by local Muslims are available in the
market. Buy from these local Muslim manufacturers and producers. Let Zabiha
halal be a business by Muslims for Muslims.
Discuss with your Imams, leaders and most of all with common Muslims. The
ummah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) can never become unanimous on
error. The masses have exhibited more wisdom many times and saved the ummah from
grave dangers. Every Muslim must think and make choices which would be
beneficial to the Ummah in the long run.
Controversy
around Al-Safa's Halal continues
Muslim Consumers of the non Muslim Halal Business "Just Look at Those Hands!" A Consumer Guide to Safe Handling and Preparation of Ground Meat and Ground Poultry Food and Drug Safety What Muslim Countries Are Eating? 5 Questions to Ask Your Halal Grocer Halal Certification, The Local Picture 6 Things You Can Do To Support Muslim Business 7 Tips for Muslim Businesses Halal and Haram in the Quran and Hadith A Select Book list about Halal and Haram in Islam Guidelines for Healthy Eating List of Halal and Haram Food Ingredients Halal-Haram Lists: Why They Do Not Work? Is Kosher Halal Recipes Choose Diet of Many Grain Products, Veggies & Fruits 4 Big Reason to Choose Zabiha over Non Zabiha It may be Zabiha, but is it Halal? Hormones etc Zabiha or Non Zabiha: 3 Scholorly Opinion Zabiha in US Prision Terminology of Halal and Haram Discuss Your thoughs in the Forum: HALAL &
HEALTHY *************************************************************************** {Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy Quran-16:125) {And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33) The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim] The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do not in any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or approved otherwise. If your mailbox clogged with mails from IslamCity, you may wish to get a daily digest of emails by logging-on to http://www.yahoogroups.com to change your mail delivery settings or email the moderators at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the title "change to daily digest".
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