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.
With animal welfare becoming a more prominent issue in Michigan, El-Sayed’s decision not to answer questions about religious animal slaughter could draw increased scrutiny from animal advocates as the Aug. 4 primary election approaches.
