Growing trend for halal meat

[SouthernFashionista]

I’m seeing this and it concerns me. I have noticed that Five Guys is now advertising that all its meat is halal and the restaurant in my workplace serves only halal meat. Who is pushing for this and why do the rest of us have no say? For what it’s worth, I am a Black woman, a practising Catholic with many Muslim friends and acquaintances. I don’t believe they are out there demanding halal meat everywhere they go.

I don't quite see it like that. Islam as it is practised in places like Iran and Afghanistan is far away from what it is meant to be. It's been weaponised by men just as Christianity has been, and ditto Judaism. Religion is a tool in the hands of wicked people bent on oppression, and sadly these people are often men.

Not to mention in denial. I don’t believe this is all down to ‘a few crazies’. We have a few crazies here and yet women can wear what they like and do as they wish.

Muslims do 'put up with it' for decades. They eat elsewhere or their homes. Not like you go to a pub and get halal roast dinner

Ahh yes typical Karen pulls the anger card.

‘Karen’ isn’t wrong.

Totally stand with you @GutsyZebra

So you agree men are the problem and racist Karen's are too dumb to see that?

And what is this 'dressed up in nakedness'? Is that what you think of non Muslim women?

Tell me about this place where Islam is practised as it is meant to be. Where is it? And what is life like there for women and girls? And for ex-muslims and non-muslims?

The Taliban believe that theirs is the correct form of Islam. They claim banning women and girls from virtually everything that makes a life worthwhile is justified by the need to 'protect' them. The Taliban further explain their cruelty and brutality with primary references to the Quran and to the context & guidance given by the Hadith.

How can a presumably perfect and timeless text, produced by God's hand, be so badly misunderstood?

‘Media coverage — especially after major events like 9/11, the London bombings (2005), or the Paris attacks (2015) — has led to a strong association in many people’s minds between Islam and terrorism or extremism.

Fear: “More Muslims means a higher risk of radicalization or violence.”

This view, while not grounded in the reality of most Muslims’ lives, persists due to selective reporting and sensationalism.

Some fear that Islamic law (Sharia) could be imposed or influence the legal system in secular countries. There have been high-profile political campaigns (especially in the U.S. and parts of Europe) warning about “Sharia creep,” despite the lack of real evidence this is occurring in a way that threatens constitutional law.

Fear: “They want to change our laws and limit our freedoms.”

In reality, Muslim communities in the West typically do not seek to impose Sharia on others, and use it only for personal religious guidance (e.g. marriage, finance)

Some conspiracy theories (like the “Great Replacement” theory) falsely claim that Muslims are deliberately trying to outnumber or “replace” native populations through higher birth rates and immigration.

Fear: “We’re being taken over from within.”

These ideas have no basis in actual demographic science or policy, but have gained traction in far-right and nationalist circles.

Fear often comes from ignorance. Many people who fear “Islamification” have had little meaningful interaction with Muslims and rely on stereotypes or media portrayals to shape their views.

Reality: In diverse societies, peaceful coexistence is the norm, not the exception.

Politicians and media outlets sometimes exploit the fear of Islamification for political gain — to mobilize voters, distract from other issues, or create scapegoats during times of economic or social tension.

Tactic: “Blame immigrants or Muslims for crime, unemployment, or cultural decline.”

It’s also important to recognize that “Islamification” as a threat is largely a manufactured or exaggerated idea, often rooted more in fear than in fact’

Weaponised by whom? All Muslim women see in the news and from people like you is trying to rip their clothes off and dress them up in nakedness. Where have I singled out or criticised Muslim women or their clothing. Whilst we are on the subject who are you to judge any woman for what she wears.

Again delusion and ignorance just breeds utter hatred.
Your post is dripping in delusion, ignorance and hatred.

Western feminism does not give a crap about about Muslim women, brown, black, Asian etc. Basically anyone that isn't from white Europe or America.
Some white feminists and non feminists are guilty of white women's tears. Some white feminists are allies. It's a bit ignorant to lump them together.

Very clear to see from all the things happening to women in the world right now. Genocide in Gaza, massacres in Africa, women being forced to have their rapists babies in America, so chill your beans as if you care about women.
How is it going for Muslim women in Afghanistan, Iran, India and Saudi Arabia? Shall we talk about rape in those countries or the other atrocities which are committed against women and girls.

Muslim women are amongst the most educated in the world, especially in STEM subjects, they keep our own money whilst husbands and fathers have to financially support them even if women outstrip the male's earnings. A Muslim WOMAN set up the first university in the world and the west copied. Women had the right to vote, fight, be businesswomen or whatever they wanted centuries ago whilst the UK festered in keeping women down by not allowing them to vote and called them hysterical when they so much as disagreed with a man.
Muslim women don't have a monopoly. Women that that follow a faith (any faith, not just Islam), as well as agnostics and atheists are amongst the the most educated in the world. Women, have been been warriors, creators, innovators, industrialists, homemakers and pioneers across the globe and throughout history. As for women's rights - the history on all sides leaves a lot to be desired at times.

So much Muslim discoveries were stolen by the west and the names of the scholars Latinised which led to people like you thinking Europe is the centre of everything.
Centering Europe? Isn't it a bit racist to assume I am white or even European. Where did I mention Europe or hold it up as a paragon of virtue. Some of us don't limit our pursuit of knowledge of the world to one narrow view or text.

There's a few crazies who sadly get all the negative attention and dodo's like you lap it up and lose a few brain cells in the process.
All I see is you weaponising your euro-centric views and imposing it on the rest of us.
Yep, there are a few crazies weaponising religion your euro-centric whilst spewing hateful views about all European women wanting Muslim women to parade around uneducated and naked.

Typical colonial and dictator mindset. At least start recognising you've been gaslit you joke of a person.
You are a perfect example of what is wrong with blind faith. You have written a vile racist post dripping in lazy racist stereotypes, internalised misogyny, hate and the ignorance you ironically thought you were calling out. Well done you.

Come on. Why do we have to go from halal meat to Muslim/religion bashing? As a Hindu, I dislike many things the mughals did. Not going to hate all Muslims and portray the entire religion as bad

Muslim women are simultaneously scary and oppressed to you. When they disagree with you, they’re suddenly ‘scary’ 🤣

They probably feel much more able to disagree and defend themselves online and to other women. Which is no surprise, as so do I.

Well it seems to me (at least in Western society) that Muslim women are seen as oppressed for wanting to cover up and dress modestly. Whereas if you flaunt what you have it's seen as "empowering".

I’m wondering why you ask the questions here instead of all the resources out there? Is it to target us? You know that a particular group does not represent all of us right? Making generalisations is dangerous. What is the purpose? Why not stop showing your ignorance, fear and gullibility?

“The Taliban believe theirs is the correct form of Islam…”

Yes — and this is where we get into the dangerous terrain of religious absolutism + political control.

The Taliban don’t just believe their version is correct — they enforce it with guns and laws, while silencing or killing dissenters. That’s not faith; that’s authoritarianism cloaked in religion.

And it’s not unique to Islam — every major religion has its own version of:

• A militant, purist movement claiming exclusive truth
• Using sacred texts to justify cruelty, repression, or conquest
• Marginalizing or persecuting “heretics,” women, or minorities

❖ 4. “How can a perfect, timeless text from God be so misunderstood?”

This is the central and unresolvable tension of scripture and interpretation.

Even if we assume the Qur’an is:

• Perfect
• Timeless
• Divine in origin

…it is still read and applied by imperfect, time-bound human beings who:

• Bring their own biases and assumptions
• Select which verses to emphasize
• Ignore context or abuse ambiguity
• Filter religion through culture, politics, or trauma

The result? Weaponized religion.

This is not a failure of the text alone — it’s a failure of:

• How it’s taught
• Who holds power to interpret it
• What incentives exist to manipulate it

❖ 5. Why doesn’t the text protect itself from misuse?

A good question. You might expect a divine revelation to be unambiguous and abuse-proof.

But religious texts — including the Qur’an, the Bible, the Torah, and others — were written in high-context, ancient worlds, using:

• Symbolic language
• Cultural idioms
• Non-linear narrative
• Legal, poetic, and moral modes all mixed together

They also assume a moral reader — one guided by conscience, sincerity, and community ethics. When that moral compass is absent, any scripture can be twisted into a weapon.

❖ 6. Is the problem Islam itself — or the people interpreting it?

This is the hard question at the root of your message.

• Some critics argue that Islam (like other revealed religions) contains the seeds of authoritarianism, and that these outcomes aren’t aberrations, but logical conclusions.
• Others argue that what we’re seeing (e.g., Taliban rule) is a betrayal of Islam, not its true expression.

Either way, what’s undeniably true is this:

Text without ethical interpretation is dangerous.
Sacredness doesn’t prevent abuse.
People must.

Well Ken seems to find Muslim women online scary.

Your mate brought the hate.

Until there is a non-Islamic caliphate which forbids women from education and beheads non believers, no. It’s just not the same.

Everything you have said applies equally to Christianity and the Bible. As I have said before, the main threat to women is the combination of religion and men. People who single out Islam for greater criticism than other faiths are hypocrites - they are all equally horrific.

Are the effects of each religion equal too?

Careful someone will be along shortly to tell you how you hate Muslim women and want then to run round naked.

These are all Far right/Nationalist talking points. We are currently the scapegoat for all the problems in the UK. So if all of us Muslims left would it fix everything in the UK? Serious question.

I think they are trying to create a hostile environment for us. We are not allowed to get angry as we should take all attacks calmly and not get emotional. It’s that well known stereotype. One rule for thee, one rule for me.

That's a bit of a sweeping statement. Everyone of this thread has been racist?

Not just this thread, there have been multiple on Mumsnet (you haven’t noticed?) and no not everyone is racist on this chat. We do have some allies. All the ones with Far right/nationalist nonsense are racist/anti muslim