BUSINESSES

Halal Meat and Muslim Businesses

Today, halal meat is really not hard to come by, even in the smaller cities across Canada. By definition, the word "halal" means “permissible”. When Muslims speak of something that is halal, they mean it is allowed or not haram or forbidden by God. With respect to food, the Qur’an says that all things good and pure are halal, which excludes pork, meat of animals found dead, blood, and meat sacrificed in the name of someone or something other than God. But most Muslims will speak of halal meat as meat that has been sacrificed according to Islamic standards, where God is remembered before killing the animal. This kind of meat is actually called zhabiha. So, halal meat, (as opposed to zhabiha meat), could be considered most anything, even a big frozen turkey from the local grocery store, although not slaughtered according to Islamic standards. Some Muslims are very staunch about eating zhabiha meat while others are not.

The Qur’an says that all creatures in the ocean are halal to eat.

As Muslim communities expand, the demand for specialty foods, easy access to halal (zhabiha) meat, and other needs for things in their country of origin increases. Some stores specialize in clothing for Muslim women; others have an assortment of wall decorations, Islamic books, prayer mats, and other Islamic paraphernalia that one cannot get at their local mall. Restaurants that not only cater to the Muslim community by offering halal meat and no alcohol, also invite the general public to experience various cultures, Muslim food and hospitality!

Alcohol and drugs are strictly forbidden in Islam.

How are Muslims contributing to the Canadian economy?

Muslims and the Canadian Economy

Contrary to the belief that Muslims come to Canada to reap its economic benefits only to return to their country of origin, or that Muslims are an economic burden, Muslims actually contribute more to the Canadian economy than is realized. As a community in Canada, Muslims are among the most highly educated, which is both a reflection of Canada’s acceptance of skilled, professional immigrants in the 1970s and 1960s (Hamdani 1986), and the religious emphasis on the importance of seeking knowledge. In fact, 27 percent of working Muslims, (age 25 to 44), have one or more university degrees, as compared to 17 percent of the general working population (Hamdani 2002). Twenty percent of all Muslims over age 15 have a university degree, which is more than double the Canadian average (Hamdani 1986).

Most Muslim Canadians work, where only 2 percent are in retirement age (age 65 and up) (Hamdani 1986). More young Muslim women are working in Canada than before – about 74 percent of single Muslim women and 80 percent of Muslim men (Hamdani 2001).

Muslims participated in almost every major event in the economic history of Canada. Muslim labourers hewed rocks, laid tracks and struck nails to build the Canadian Pacific railway in the late 19th century, an event dubbed the “national dream” because of its importance. Muslim farmers were among the pioneers who opened up Alberta and Saskatchewan for cultivation and settlement in the beginning of the 20th century. Skilled and professional Muslim immigrants kept up the tempo of economic growth in the 1960s and 1970s. Muslim educators responded to the need for teachers and professors as the baby boom of the post-Second World War period rolled into grade schools and then graduate schools, thus strengthening the foundation for a secure and prosperous economic future for the country. “Muslims and Islam in Canada” by Daood Hassan Hamdani. Muslims and Islam in the American Continent, 2001, p.11.

Most Muslim Canadians that work are professionals in engineering, medicine, teaching, and accountancy, and many are skilled workers in the manufacturing industry and public administration (Hamdani 1984). Business has always been a popular career choice for Muslims in Canada since their arrival over a century ago. Although many Muslim-owned businesses are small and generally cater to the needs of the community, there are some Muslim Canadians who have been quite successful in the larger market. In 1993, a Muslim received the prestigious Excellence in Business Award as heading one of the top ten businesses in Canada.

In 1990, the average annual salary of Muslims in Canada was over $30 000, with 7 percent earning more than $50 000 (most of them men, 2% percent women) (Hamdani 2002).

Muslim Canadians also contribute more to the Canadian social security system than draw from it. Surprisingly, there are about 15 Muslims working to support one retiree. That’s three times as much as their fellow Canadians (Hamdani 2002).