NEW YORK
One of the most important questions for Muslims abroad is "halal meat" certificate and how they can trust them.
The need of "halal meat" for millions of Muslims in the US is met by many facilities.
The slaughter facilities are inspected by several certification bodies but there are also black sheep among them which send the certificate via internet.
Especially in New York's smallest and most densely populated neighborhood, Manhattan, you can buy "halal meat" phrased food on every corner. However, there are some questions about the hygienic conditions and whether the meat was slaughtered according to Islamic law.
Suleyman Duman, an official for Islamic services in Turkish Consulate General in New York told AA, "our people who live abroad must examine whether the meat they consume is halal slaughtered or not."
Duman said that a Muslim had to say the words "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar" before slaughtering the animal, and added that he had to cut its throat and let it bleed before using electroshock.
Ali Kucukkarca, the owner of the biggest halal slaughter facility in the east of the US, told AA that many institutions which gave a halal certificate were not reliable.
Kucukkarca said, "60 percent of the meat which is being sold with halal certificate in New York and New Jersey is not halal." Kucukkarca underlined that some Turkish butchers also sold meat which was not halal and noted, "one of the most reliable and biggest institutions giving "halal meat" certificate is 'Shari'ah Board of America'."
Kucukkarca reminded that the Jewish butchers were also checked by inspectors who handed out certificates. "But the inspectors, who check the Muslims do not visit their stores or control anything because the Muslim community do not make such a demand."
Reporting by Basri Sahin/ Mustafa Keles
