Store for 'Halal' foods soon to open in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines – Muslims in Cebu are not discouraged to meat products, but only those that are sold from the accredited sellers of “Halal foods.”

Office of the Muslim Affairs (OMA) regional director Sakiran Hajan explained that as outlined in the Qur’an, Muslims are forbidden from consuming pork, alcohol and blood. Specifically, he added that Muslims are only allowed to eat meat from cows, chicken and goats.

However, Hajan said that with the modern food production, it could be possible that the manufacturers cook some food out of the forbidden source, so they have decided to counter it.

This prompted Hajan to launch a store at the Ramos public market on April 22 that will be accredited by the government – through his office – that will sell “Halal foods” to the Muslims at affordable prices.

“Halal” is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted. There are about 50,000 Muslims who are staying in Cebu City alone and he expects these persons will consume at least 2,000 chicken everyday.

The chicken that will be raised for the Halal food shall not be provided with commercial chicken food, but only those that are coming from corn or rice products.

But the supplier of the chicken for the Halal food store is not a Muslim, but a Christian.

Mark Sameon said the Muslims shall be the ones to provide their own butchers who will follow their rituals before a food animal is slaughtered.

A chicken can be butchered even by one person, but Hajan explained that in Muslim’s tradition it is strictly prohibited.

“Usa ka tawo maoy mogunit sa manok. Ang iyang kauban maoy moihaw, human molitok og pulong pagpa-ngayo’g pagtugot sa Almighty God nga ihawon niini ang hayop alang sa pagkaon sa tawo,” Hajan said. — Rene U. Borromeo/WAB (THE FREEMAN)