Muslim groups to set up slaughterhouse, meat market

An organization of Muslim communities in Manila said yesterday it will put up a special slaughterhouse and meat market to rid their daily meals of "unclean meat."

The Manila Muslim Peace and Development Council (MMPDC) said there is a growing concern in their communities about the supposed "impurity of meat" being sold in local markets, which prompted the group to construct its own meat market.

MMPDC official Datu Amerol Gulam-Ambiong said they are considering a 1,000-sqm. lot in Tondo as a possible site for the slaughterhouse and another lot in Quinta, Quiapo for the market.

"We are worried about the meat being sold in ordinary markets. We are not certain if these have not been mixed with uncooked pork meat, which is taboo in our religion," Ambiong said.

He explained that Muslims are not allowed to eat animals killed without first saying a prayer called "Bismillah Hirahmani Rahim."

Moreover, they are only allowed to eat food classified as halal or those prepared in accordance with Islamic guidelines and deemed suitable for consumption by Muslims. So far, only chicken, cows, carabaos and goats are allowed to be beaten under Islamic laws, and these should be prepared in a special slaughterhouse.