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Children still have a non-halal option
• I WAS very saddened to read your report about some parents’ reaction to the decision at Kingsgate primary school to move over to halal meat (Parents’ ire at school’s halal switch, Feb 8).
I thought the culture the British people were so rightly proud of, and wanted us Muslims to share, was largely based on the concept of democracy. Democracy is usually understood to mean that majority decisions are respected.
I understand that more than two-thirds of children attending Kingsgate come from Muslim families, so the majority approval is hardly surprising.
Mrs Jacqueline Gomm, may argue that the protection of minority rights is important too, and we Muslims (who are of course a minority in Britain) would be the first to agree with her there.
And of course the truth is that no one is forcing her children to eat halal meat. She says: “My children are not Muslim. They should have a choice.”
Of course the truth is that her minority rights are being respected. Her children do have two other choices already. She is assured there will always be fish and vegetarian dishes on offer at the school as an alternative to the halal meat.
MOBASHIR ALI
Castle Road, NW1
• YOUR report on the halal food at Kingsgate school read as well balanced.
Constituent feedback suggests that the next time another school considers introducing a halal-only policy that this should be clearly put on the agenda and that the parental consultation is transparent and seen to be transparent.
We also need to be mindful of those parents who want their children to go to a completely secular school. By secular I mean one that is not run by a religious organisation or offering food prepared on religious bases.
CLLR ROGER FREEMAN
(Con) Swiss Cottage
• WHY should these parents have halal meat shoved down their throats – a state school should treat all children as equal.
We have been told the school is 71 per cent Muslim, this figure does not appear to reflect diversity.
We are also told by Camden that a healthy hot option – fish, baked potato, etc – will be available daily.
So a simple solution is to let every child eat that, then no one feels left out.
R CAMPBELL
Malden Road, NW5
• IT SEEMS now that minority rules, our vote is no longer worth the paper it’s written on.
Why should any religious group dictate what happens in schools or elsewhere in a democratic country like Britain.
If some insist on halal meat for school dinners then there is no choice but to have separate schools and that would solve the problem.
It is not just a technicality. Animals die slow and painful deaths by slitting the throat without being stunned.
Any type of slaughter is not very nice but at least if the animal is stunned it is less distressing.
We must stop pretending and let children and adults learn how animals are slaughtered but also teach everyone how we get our food.
All children should know how vegetables are grown, and let them have contact with animals. I do believe if we understood and cared for animals we would have a more kinder attitude towards people. We all have to live in this world.
MARY COSS, N7
(Full address supplied) |
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