Recently there was a court ruling for the State of Oklahoma that persons who are Muslim and are incarcerated have the right, and indeed must be fed, Halal meat. (Halal in the sense that we're talking about the method of slaughter.) The court ruling itself isn't surprising, because years ago a similar case was ruled upon that made the provision that those of the Jewish faith have the right to Kosher food. So it is supplied by the State, at a cost to the taxpayer - Jewish inmates get Kosher meals.
But something occurred to me while I was thinking about the ramifications of this ruling, and looking online for sources of Halal meat.
So, I asked a number of friends what they thought about the ruling, and every one of them responded with something along the lines of "inmates shouldn't have the right to eat what they want", "criminals do bad things and ought to have to pay the consequences", "beans and greens" (I call that "gas and grass") three times a day!", and a couple of others had much more colorful remarks that I won't repeat here (you know who you are, NATEMAN) but it seemed that nobody had the same thought I did.
My thought was "Where the heck do you go to buy Halal meat in Oklahoma?" And lo and behold, I found out quickly. And I was kind of "taken aback".
It is simply amazing how many meat processors in Oklahoma claim to process meat in the Halal manner. According to some things I read, part of the process is that someone of the Muslim faith must bless the animal (and therefore the meat) before it is slaughtered. Well, either there's a traveling Muslim praying man speeding all over the state blessing cows, or there's a lot more Islam going on here in the land of the Boomer Sooner than I was aware of.
Just yesterday, I noticed the "Halal Meat Market" on 39th Expressway. Actually I think I'd noticed it before, but I thought "Halal" was just a combo of the names of the butchers - Hal and Al.
I guess that's only if it's the brothers Hal and Al Bin Killinkow.
OMG! You are a funny lady. I like the *gas & grass* comment. I'm assuming it can't be bought in places like Pauls Valley, OK or Kermit, Texas. At least we're safe in some places...
ReplyDeleteHal and Al Bin Killinkow.
ROFLMAO
HA! Hal and Al Bin Killinkow!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, Staci...there are a lot of Muslims in OK, and LA, and TX, and everywhere! Half the old Italian convenience stores are now owned by Muslims. Tire shops...you name it.
It honestly does not bother me that Halal meat has to be provided for Muslims, or Kosher for Jews. Personally, I wouldn't feed prisoners meat at all...maybe a turkey on Thanksgiving, or Christmas...because of the expense. But, that's just me...the crazy vegetarian guy.
What made me curious while I was reading this is wondering about school lunches. I wonder if States do/or will make schools provide Halal mystery meat for the little Muslim chirrens...
Hmmmm.
Hal and Al Bin Killinkow is very funny.
ReplyDeleteI think the authorities otta feed 'em nothing but hot dogs and chitlins. Of the cheapest sort. But your gas and grass ideer works for me, too.
ReplyDelete