[WordsAplenty]

I've heard some people say that we must buy from halal grocers or restaurants, while others say we can buy from "people of the book." What's your stance?

[twinzplus3]

Originally Posted by WordsAplenty

I've heard some people say that we must buy from halal grocers or restaurants, while others say we can buy from "people of the book." What's your stance?

O.K. Misty--so I'm not a Muslim. . .but we live in a very ethnically diverse community and there are lots of Muslims on the block behind us. Would you mind explaining to me the difference for the sake of education and cultural understanding? There are several "halal bodegas" (that's a new one huh?--a bodega is the P.R. term for a corner store but they all say halal some where in the title) Thanks.

[WordsAplenty]

Well, halal means allowed by Allah. I guess it is the Islamic version of Kosher. In the context of food, halal means food that was prepared according to Islamic law. So, there is no alcohol or pork in the food. For example, halal marshmallows are made from vegetable gelatin instead of lard-based gelatin. In the case of meat, halal also means the food was slaughtered Islamically: with a very sharp knife, death coming as quickly as possible, as little suffering as possible, and with an Islamic prayer being uttered.

Thanks for asking. I hope that helps.

[twinzplus3]

Thanks so much for answering. Your answer now begs the question are the bodegas on the corner really "halal"??? You would just have to see a bodega to know the answer to that one but something tells me not.

[WordsAplenty]

I don't know what a bodega is, but if they're like a typical corner store, with beer, wine, and ciggies, I'd have to say probably not! Do they sell groceries? Maybe they're referring to halal meat? But, that would be a little hypocrital, to sell beer and halal meat... I don't know! Sorry!

[twinzplus3]

That's o.k. I suspect that they are no more halal than they are kosher. In all honesty, the neighborhood has changed significantly since we've been here (10 years). I suspect that they are just plain old grocery/deli people. I bet when the neighborhood was ethnically Jewish they had a sign that said, "Kosher". I know that when the neighborhood was mostly Carribean Black they were selling stuff from Jamaica & everything was with "that great Carribean taste". Now that that particular block of the neighborhood is largely Arab/Muslim, I imagine they are magically halal. Come to think of it, they sell pernil during holiday times (pernil is pork shoulder)--I wonder if they take their halal sign down?
They are not particularly honest people at this particular bodega either. They are nothing like the muslim mommies I meet at the park or in the street.
Oh--a bodega is the Spanish slang for a corner store/deli. Kind of like a mom 'n pop version of a 7-11. I think that would be the best way to explain it.

[WordsAplenty]

Thanks, I feel educated now! That's pretty sad, that they would change their identity to attract whatever culture/religion is in the area. Surely people don't fall for that?! Oh well, to each his own, I guess.

You mentioned on another thread that people in your area breastfeed for 5 or 6 years-- is that in the Muslim community?! I'm just asking because Islam dictates that two is the upper age limit for nursing a child.

[twinzplus3]

Hmmmm. . .how to explain the community in which I live. . .
I live in the inner city in New York. Most really large cities are completely different from block to block as is ours. Our block is largely Puerto Rican as are most of our friends. One block West of us is mostly Vietnamese. South West on the other hand is Irish/Vietnamese/& Jamaican. To the South and South East is a growing Arab Muslim community which is right next to a large African Muslim community. . .two very distinctive groups as we have learned. To the North of us is mostly African. These people groups are directly next to us. . .If you were to walk a few more blocks in any direction, you would find it completely different than what I've described.
The women that breastfeed for 5 or 6 years are the African women--not the Muslim ones and not the ones whose families have been in the United States for awhile.
--so when I make a comment about my community you can almost pick any people group! We are, in case you're curious, just plain caucasion people.

[WordsAplenty]

That's awesome! Your kids will be so tolerant, accepting, and open-minded. I live in Texas and we're yearning for a more culturally-diverse area! Although it is changing, there is still a lot of bigotry here. (I think I'll open a new thread about this)

[MJ7]

I like the idea behind buying Halal. Sounds better for you anyway.