Is KFC Halal?

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Bangor Street Community Centre, Norwich Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 6NZ
Tel: 01254 692289 Web: www.lancashiremosques.com
Charity Registration Number: 1015119

Is KFC Halal?


Assalamu ‘Alaikum                                                         Feb / March 2010

Dear Respected Brothers

I hope this letter finds you all in the best of health and Imaan, Ameen.
You may be aware that the fast food chain KFC is trialling Halal menus in many branches including Blackburn, Accrington, Preston (Deepdale) and Burnley in Lancashire.
You may recall that Lancashire Council of Mosques (LCM) formed a Halal Sub Group in 2006 after concerns were raised by many parents regarding the Halal School Meals. The Sub Group has worked on this issue extensively and regular updates have been provided to the community.
Recently, the LCM Sub Group has been inundated with calls regarding the Halal trial being conducted by KFC in the Lancashire branches. Upon researching KFC`S website, it is apparent that the chickens are stunned before slaughter. This issue is of great concern to us because the Halal Criterion, adopted by LCM after wide consultation, does not allow stunning and this conforms to British law. The website does not mention whether KFC approves of mechanical slaughter or not. This is a widely used practice in many slaughterhouses. The chickens slaughtered, using the prevalent method of mechanical slaughter, have been deemed as Haram (forbidden to consume) unanimously by the scholars of Lancashire. Furthermore, the Sub Group is concerned whether there is a thorough certification process in place throughout the supply chain of KFC and whether the independent monitoring mechanism is effective.
With the above in mind, the LCM Halal sub group has requested an urgent meeting with the representatives of the Lancashire branches of KFC together with the Halal manager from KFC Headquarters. The outcome of the meeting and the final decision of the LCM Halal Sub Group will be conveyed in due course.
Meanwhile, LCM recommends the Muslim community to exercise caution and remain vigilant. The Prophetic guidance prescribed abstinence from doubtful matters. The acceptance of our worship and supplications is dependent upon the nature of what we consume and therefore we request everyone to await our final decision.

We hope the above is sufficient for the time being. If you require further clarifications at this stage, please contact Moulana Yusuf on 07828 599321.

Wassalamu ‘Alaikum

Salim Mulla

The Blessings and Challenges of being Muslim - Sh Hamza Yusuf