Similar to Kosher food preparation practiced by Jewish individuals, Muslims are recommended by the Quran, their holy book, to eat “Zabiha Halal” meat that is prepared in a manner emphasizing cleanliness. Halal meat is widely available in major cities where Muslim families reside and is delivered to South Asian supermarkets from slaughterhouses across the United States.

Unfortunately, when Muslim students leave home to attain a college education, access to halal food can be limited as very few universities, especially in Oklahoma, serve halal meat in their cafeterias, union, and dorms. This poses a major dietary restriction on Muslim students who have enough on their plate to worry about.

According to a survey conducted by the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, 77% of Muslim students from 135 major universities across the United States have no access to halal food. Not accustomed to a strict vegetarian or pescetarian diet, students are forced into unhealthy eating practices, since they have no option of eating any kind of meat other than Halal meat. These unhealthy practices can result in a diet devoid of essential nutrients and benefits provided by a moderate amount of meat.

Currently, Oklahoma State is one of a few universities in Oklahoma that does not provide students with a partial Halal menu at a price that is consistent with that provided to other students at dining halls. On the behalf of the Muslim student population at the Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, we are petitioning the University to look into providing a halal option to students and devise a plan that eases the burden on Muslim students. This can be accomplished through working with OSU Dining Services to understand and implement a cost-effective yet convenient method to provide students with halal food on some sort of basis.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding on how to get this kind of meat.

Sincerely,

Kumail AlSaihati

kumail@okstate.edu

(405) 473-7236