The University of Houston is known as the second most diverse college in the nation. That being said, it is no surprise that there is a wide array of religions that UH students actively practice.
One of the more largely practiced religions on campus is Islam. The Muslim Student Association has been working with UH Dining Services in order to better the halal food options available in the dining halls for the Muslim student population.
In recent years, with help and suggestions from MSA, dining services have successfully been able to install a halal station at the Fresh Food Company dining hall in Moody Towers. This has proven to be a vast improvement for the University in welcoming and sustaining students’ varying cultures and beliefs.
“When I first came to UH, in the Fall of 2012, the halal options were extremely limited, and I can’t remember a single food truck or dining hall that offered halal meat,” chemical engineering senior and president of the MSA, Ahmed Sarraj said. “But three years later, seeing that halal chicken is now even offered at the Bullritos on campus, this situation has changed for the better.”
Increasing the halal options on campus is an example of the thriving and diversified atmosphere that UH is continuing to foster. The Muslim student community has shown gratitude towards the dining services’ halal incorporation.
“I really appreciate the fact that the school is (making) an effort to accommodate different groups of people especially when it comes to Muslims living in today’s society,” chemical engineering freshman Usayd Siddiqi said. “The campus’ halal availability is also an opportunity for other students who previously were not familiar with what halal was, to be exposed to this particular culture.”
Although UH is doing a good job of beginning to accommodate certain individual’s religious beliefs, some of the members of MSA suggest there be a wider variety of dietary options. A station dedicated to halal choices is a great start, but Muslim students would like to eventually see halal being incorporated into the entirety of the dining hall menus.
Nevertheless, those working with the station at the Fresh Foods Company are heedful towards the process that goes into preparing halal.
“The station is equipped with cookware and utensils that are used only to prepare the halal dishes,” UH Dining Services Marketing Manager Emily Fahner said, “We are constantly reevaluating and improving the program.”
Not only are they expanding halal options in the dining halls, but Dining Services have also spread to the food trucks parked around UH as well. The Chopped N Smoked BBQ food truck came to campus this fall semester. With its food selections being halal friendly, the Muslim students on campus have greatly appreciated the new tasty variety. This includes beans, potato salad and halal brisket, which extends past the food choices offered just at the dining hall in Moody Towers.
“I have tried Chopped N Smoked several times already, and I think it’s delicious,” Sarraj said, “I’m a huge fan of BBQ and the fact that it’s halal makes it that much better.”
Kosher or halal is a personal matter and should not be forced on others. I make a point not to ever eat halal food and I would be furious if muslims selfish demands reduced eating selection. It’s outrageous how the cunning muslims refuse to integrate yet expect others bend to their norms. They are “one step at a time” turning this nation into the muslim atrocities we assume they migrated from. Say no to halal. Americans need to become more aware to the endless cunnings of the muslims.
“Halal OPTIONS Offer Muslim Students Wider Variety in Food Choices”
I mean, it literally says it in the title.
Although, you don’t have much to worry about: I’ve had a myriad of people tell me that halal stuff they’ve prepared isn’t halal at all. They slap a higher price tag on the same meats everyone else eats and call it halal. No one seems to be none the wiser.
First of all: rude. The university hasn’t made all of their food halal, it’s providing a few options. We should be focused as a society to understand other cultures and become global citizens.
Second of all…
And why is it necessary that we become global citizens? One can understand other cultures without sacrificing our own culture.
Its time for you to grow and educate yourself my friend
Halal bacon and pork products … any chance?
Why do we have to put up with these people? I would sooner see this filth bleeding out in the streets with there arms and legs blown off, than eat even one less ham and cheese, or drink one less beer. That is right: The lives and well-being of these people are worth far less to me than a simple sandwich, and yet they expect me to bend over backwards to not only just tolerate, but to embrace the outrageous dictates of their most filthy and medieval belief?