Halal Slaughter - Shah Alam needs revision

2008 May :- In Islamic tradition, it is said “God calls for mercy in everything, so be merciful when you kill and when you slaughter, sharpen your blade to relieve its pain”

Last year, a sandwich chain opened two ‘Halal-Only’ outlets in Manchester and before that its other outlets in England were operating in line with this Islamic dietary tradition. The Islamic Foundation ensures animals are slaughtered in accordance with Islamic rites, which entails cutting their throats after performing prescribed prayers.

While ‘Halal’ meat is gaining acceptance in Europe, discourse on this ancient religious tradition is gaining traction, albeit negatively, because it is argued that animals are slaughtered ‘alive’ and bled to death.

In Malaysia, most eateries are ‘Halal-Only’ but there is an apparent lack of discourse on how ‘humanely’ are the animals dispatched. In this respect the abattoir at Shah Alam is a point of reference.

Basically, pigs, cows and goats are slaughtered at the abattoir. In ‘assembly line’ fashion, pigs are stunned to death via a ‘captive electrical bolt’ (CEB) while cows and goats are slaughtered ‘alive’ in accordance with religious rites.

Understandably, allegations are rife that ‘Halal slaughter’ is inhumane. However, laboratory experiments conducted by a university in Germany showed the method is actually ‘humane’ compared to the CEB method, reported to cause animals severe pain.

In the ‘Halal’ method, EEG and ECG graphs showed no change before the animal is slaughtered, indicating it felt no pain during or immediately after the procedure and even later, graphs indicated a state of unconsciousness, attributed to blood loss and while brain signals diminished, the heart pounded and body convulsed, draining the remaining blood.

However in the CEB method, although the heart of the animal stopped beating much earlier, graphs indicated that it experienced severe pain, attributed to ‘retention’ of blood as opposed to ‘draining’ in the ‘Halal’ method.

Thing is, in laboratory conditions with a single animal, clinical studies may prove the ‘Halal’ method less stressful, but the situation is different in a commercialized abattoir where animals are positioned for slaughter en-masse.

In the abattoir at Shah Alam, the animal is corralled in an enclosure to limit its movement. Then to immobilize it for ‘safety’ of those in attendance, its legs are broken. Writhing in pain it is forced down the floor by the slaughterer and assistants. The slaughter wields a sharp knife and performs the religious rites. Then he makes a deep incision into the neck severing the jugular and carotids while blood gushes out. In the vicinity, the rest of the herd, sensing their impending death, are unusually audible, restless and apparently stressed.

While not contending religious rights of Muslims, pre-slaughtering procedures at Shah Alam are clearly ‘inhumane’ and beg to be addressed. Clinical studies in this regard do not bear or even address these procedures. Lack of logistics and necessary equipment, coupled with a commerce driven environment, contributes to stress and pain endured by the animals prior to their death. It should not be tolerated in this day and age. 

Point is, it defeats the intent and purpose of the tradition.

Words - Tommy Peters

(Post Script: The writer penned the article after chancing upon the Shah Alam abattoir in February)