What is halal?

In the Jersey Journal, Friday, September 17, 2004 an article on halal food raises a question put to New Jersey officials from a religious perspective. That question is 'What kind of food is halal?'

Since when is it the place of the State to define the parameters of any religion? If a religion wants to eat pig then let that religion make such a determination. If the belief is to refrain from pig then let that be their decision. The only concern which the State has is public health and sanitation.

The State made the correct decision in this matter. It is not, nor should it ever be the place of the government at any level to make decisions which involve how any individual or group practices religion up to the point that such practice does not jepardize the health and safety of the member of that ideology or any other member of the larger community.

By giving a recommendation of what is considered halal, any governmental agency would be giving sanction to the practice of a religion and no governmental agencies of any State or Federal authority shall do such a thing.

Wind Rider