Posted on 02/14/2006 12:37:37 PM PST by Checkers
Do Muslim prison inmates have a right to specialized meals that include meat?
That's the question being asked repeatedly of federal courts in Washington state in a flurry of inmate lawsuits. One case was filed recently by inmate Ronald Keal, and at least three others have been making their way through the courts.
Keal and the others say their religion requires that they eat what's known as "halal" meals, which require slaughter of animals in a tightly proscribed manner.
Some of the lawsuits ask for substantial monetary damages, while others ask for a change in the meal plan along with nominal costs.
Washington state prisons don't give practicing Muslims pork (which is forbidden in their faith) or meat from animals slaughtered improperly. In fact, they don't get any meat at all. Instead, inmates who choose a Muslim diet are on a lacto-ovo vegetarian meal plan, which includes eggs and milk products.
Thus, if a Muslim inmate wants to follow his religion, he has to become a vegetarian. And some inmates just aren't keen on eating so many greens.
Mohamad Joban, president of Washington's Imam Fatwa Committee, which makes rulings on religious issues, said that when he used to visit the prisons as a chaplain, he heard numerous complaints about the diet from Muslim inmates.
He even wrote a letter to prison officials asking for halal meals but didn't make any headway.
"Muslims are encouraged to eat meat," he said. "For them, [a vegetarian diet] is not a solution."
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
"Do Muslim prison inmates have a right to specialized meals that include meat?"
No.
lol, serve pork and lots of it.
F'em. Give'em bacon cheeseburgers.
Feed them pork sausage.
Here's a thought: Don't commit crimes and you won't have to worry about what kind of food they serve in prisons.
don't break the law and you can live your life free. don't like the food? stop eating.
What part of "prison" don't they understand?
Quit feeding them then
Hrmmm... Halal tends to be pricier that regular meats, a solution might be to take the difference out of what a prisoner earns from working in the prison. Veggies for free, but Halal costs. Seems fair.
If they're looking for a catered diet, they should look somewhere besides a prison. Prison is not there to pamper anyone, even Muslims.
They can get a balanced diet.
Do what we do in TX, we make them raise pigs for the pork they eat. If you don't like what the Boss serves you don't eat.
It's not supposed to be a vacation, Mohammed.
If Jewish prisoners get kosher meals, then Islamic prisoners should get halal meals. If not the one, though, then not the other.
Well, they can always E.S.A.D.!
Don't do the Crime, if Mohammed Can't do the Time! Awk!"
My religion requires lots of Beluga caviar, rare rack of lamb, and authentic New York cheesecake. I'd be a high maintenance inmate.
heck NO They are just lucky we don't cut off hands and feet here. They are in PRISON, for heaven's sake. They are CRIMINALS. In a foreign country. Oh, don't get me started. Such sniveling & whining I have never heard in all my born days. How about "This is what we are eating tonight. if you don't like it, don't chose a life of crime." Or perhaps, "You might like Guantanamo even better."
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