LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – As animal welfare becomes an emerging issue in Michigan politics, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who is Muslim, has declined to say whether he supports or opposes Hamtramck’s ordinance allowing the religious slaughter of livestock. Despite a request for comment from Michigan News Source, his campaign did not respond.
Hamtramck’s religious slaughter ordinance draws attention.
An ordinance in Hamtramck permits the ritual slaughter of livestock for religious purposes, provided the animals are slaughtered under “humane” standards and disposal and other ordinance requirements are followed. The ordinance was adopted in 2023 by Hamtramck’s all-Muslim city council.
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Ritual slaughter has been practiced in Islam for centuries under Islamic dietary law, known as halal. The practice is rooted in Islamic religious tradition and is used year-round to prepare halal meat, while separately, animal sacrifice is also observed during the annual Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha.
The issue comes up as animal welfare gains attention in Michigan politics. Last week, Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson made stronger protections for companion animals part of his campaign with his pet protection plan, while other candidates have offered no public discussion of the issue.
Animal welfare record faces fresh scrutiny.
El-Sayed’s decision not to answer questions about religious animal slaughter also revives scrutiny of his broader record on animal welfare. As Detroit’s health director from 2015 to 2017, he oversaw Detroit Animal Care and Control during a period when the shelter faced repeated criticism over overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and animal care.
During that time, El-Sayed also barred WXYZ-TV from interviewing the city’s newly hired animal control director. The station reported it was told the decision was based on its previous investigative coverage of Detroit Animal Care and Control, which had highlighted overcrowding, euthanasia practices and other problems at the shelter.
With animal welfare becoming a more visible issue in Michigan, El-Sayed’s decision not to answer questions about religious animal slaughter is likely to draw continued scrutiny as the Aug. 4 primary election nears. In addition, the issue is expected to receive even more attention as Detroit Animal Care and Control once again faces criticism over its conditions and operations, prompting Michiganders to take a closer look at the decisions of both past and present leadership that have kept the issue in the spotlight.
