Would you end a relationship because of this?

[everlynne]

I have a boyfriend who has family in Morocco. I have never visited them and he doesn't see them much. We have been dating for 5 months.

He went to Morocco a few days ago (still there) for today which is a religious day I'm not too sure what it's called.

He slaughtered some sheep and doesn't seem that bothered by it at all. It has really affected me actually and I'm just wondering if his would be an extreme reason to end the relationship?

I am completely baffled by some of the comments on here. I did actually spend one Eid in Morocco and witnessed the slaughter. It is nothing like hunting or killing for fun, it is killing for meat. The animals are well treated, usually bought from farmers, kept for a few days in the backyard and treated as pets, then on the day of Eid they are killed as swiftly as possible to make it as “humane” and “painless” as could be. Every sheep has to be isolated when killed as to not distress the others. I understand that vegans find eating meat distasful, but a large proportion of the world does. For poor families, the Eid sheep will be the only meat they have for months. A third must be given as charity, and another third shared with friends, relatives and neighbours. You might find it strange, but claiming it is immoral makes you look quite ignorant. I am sure that Moroccan sheeps have much, much better lives than factory-raised animals we eat in the UK, that are often killed in appaling ways with unecessary stress and violence. Killing your own meat obliges you to take some responsibility for the way it is raised. Maybe you could start a campaign for animal welfare, as it is quite an important issue in this country.

Thank you, @malaguena. Those are the details I didn't have.

It would concern me greatly if the amimal was distressed or saw others being slaughtered but I suspected it was how you describe.

OP if the slaughter is so offensive to you (understandably so) that it makes his culture and your beliefs incompatible then it is perfectly reasonable to end the relationship.

@everlynne - this thread has become a debate over devout religious folk and vegetarians. Wrong. These are separate issues. If your boyfriend does anything that you are uncomfortable with, you should end the relationship. That is all.

What Malaguena said.

I have been in Tunisia during Eid Al Adha (different from the Eid at the end of the Ramadan fast), and it is as Malagueña says. Whatever people object to over halal slaughter, Islam demands that the animal be treated well. The sheep are not stunned (as the overwhelming majority are here, for halal slaughter) but because if factirs I won’t go into because of the sensibilities demonstrated in this thread, death / unconsciousness occurs v quickly.

OP, you seem v absorbed in your own world and beliefs, and maybe explore and find out a bit more about your partners culture, religion and individual philosophies, values and beliefs.

I find people freaking out about this absolutely bizarre. Our supermarkets are full of meat. How do you think it got there?

Even if he doesn't practice a religion his culture, family life and what he sees as "normal" obviously has different elements to yours. Your disinterest in Eid and not even knowing what it's called is not a great sign you will be compatible in the future.

OP, is this just a casual relationship, or do you have hopes of eventually marrying this chap?
If it’s the former, it’s not too much of a big deal, as you probably won’t still be together by the time of his next slaughter session/visit home.
If you want it to be permanent, then you have much more of an issue.
Do his family know that he’s dating a non Muslim? Will they insist on you converting to Islam before they’d accept a marriage?
Does he regard you as simply a bit of easy fun before he has an arranged marriage with a decent Muslim girl?
Is there a risk of him reverting to traditional behaviour once you are wed?
What if his family expect him to return to Morocco to raise his family?
Are you happy to have sons circumcised? Etc, etc.
Mixed culture marriages can work, of course, but you need to go in with your eyes open and sort out the potential problems first. If you’re already having doubts, I think you should listen to them.

Bit off topic as to whether Op should leave her boyfriend but I asked my friend earlier on whatsapp if they slaughtered a lamb this year. So yes he did but he said not personally they have a buther that does so humanely . They kept a third for themselves and gave a third to friends and family and a third to the poor . All Muslim families are expected to slaughter an animal if they can afford it . It’s a mark of sacrifice and part of their culture . A goat or a buffalo canna slaughtered . 7 people may slaughter a large animal in their names . Same distribution.

My DP briefly worked in a butchers when he was travelling as a youngster round Australia. I’m a veggie but that hasn't put me off him in any way. I doubt this would either... if it does you though, you’re always free to leave for any reason.

Hi there everyone,

We have some concerns about OP so we're taking this down while we have a look behind the scenes.