Halal Food

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Islam: Exploring the Muslim Faith

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The Beliefs and History of Islam

Islam is the religion of Allah, the Muslim name for the Judeo-Christian god, and Muhammad, ... read more »

Practicing Islam

Islam's strictly prescribed practices can sometimes be hard to follow in the busy modern world. ... read more »

Halal Food

Although technically "halal" means simply "permitted," the opposite of "haram," we most often hear it used in reference to food. Often described as Muslim kosher, halal and kosher rules and prohibitions do differ despite some similarities. The sites below give you an understanding of the basics of halal, and help you find halal food.

Dulcinea's Insight

If you intend to serve food to a Muslim friend, read the information on these sites carefully and then consult with him or her, as what is permissible to each individual might differ depending on observance.

When shopping online, make sure to check for credentials or certification on the vendor's Web site to ensure the item is halal. Look for these in the "About Us" link that should appear on the homepage of any good site.

Read about the Halal food cart trend in New York City in this New York Times article, made available as a PDF by the "platter" dedicated Web site 53rdand6th.com.

Dulcinea's Picks

To learn about halal laws ...

The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America is one of the leading certifiers of halal food. Its site includes this explanation of halal, as well as a concise consumer guide, halal food glossary, and FAQ section for the consumer.

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Sound Vision 's "Halal & healthy" page contains many articles on specific issues regarding food safety, health, and halal. The articles touch on various topics such as mad cow disease, kosher versus halal, and advice for Muslim businesses.

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Islamic Concerns ' mission is to educate Muslims on vegetarianism, and why it is the preferred lifestyle for Islam and a natural extension of a halal food tradition. Explore this site for a wealth of information on the food industry, the history of vegetarianism in Islam, and links to other vegetarian and Islamic sites.

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To buy halal food ...

Myhalalmeat.com ships halal meat and cheese products to your doorstep via FedEx, expertly packed and certified by multiple Islamic agencies.

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Midamar Halal ffers pizzas, pies, and other products in addition to a large catalog of meats. Order online on their secure site to have any of the items delivered by FedEx.

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To find halal restaurants ...

Zabihah.com 's volunteer-driven site has a massive database of halal restaurants that's searchable by area. It brings you a map with all locations labeled, as well as user ratings and reviews. Be warned though: the site does not actually certify restaurants' halal status, trusting the establishments themselves, and includes partially halal places (such as those that serve halal food but also alcohol, which is never halal). The site is also accessible from Internet-enabled mobile devices.

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