Ohio Caves to Islam

If Muslims in an Ohio prison choose to follow their religion by not eating pork, that is perfectly fine. But, should the entire prison system have pork taken from them to accommodate the Muslims? Absolutely not!

Let them do without meat for a meal. What is the big deal? I remember in college that Fridays meant fish in my college cafeteria. I dislike fish, so I just did without meat that day. The way I saw it, my disliking fish was my problem. Why should others have their menus changed to reflect my desires?

That theory should apply for Muslims. Get over it! But, time and time again, they are not content with the rules as is, and once again the system gives in to their demands.

Actually, I have a better idea. So as to make the Muslims feel at home, perhaps Ohio officials should follow the practice common in Islamic nations. Let the families of the inmates provide their sustenance, or they starve to death.

Read from Weasel Zippers:

Ohio Bans Pork From Entire Prison System After Death Row Inmate Sues To Get Halal Food…


"COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — 'A decision by Ohio officials to remove all pork products from prison menus in response to a lawsuit by Muslim inmates is not sitting well with the state’s pork producers and processors.

Both promise action of their own, including a possible counter lawsuit, to address what they consider an unfair and illogical decision.

“We really think it’s not in the best interest, frankly, of the whole prison system,” said Dick Isler, executive director of the Ohio Pork Producers Council. “It seems like we’re letting a small group make the rules when it really isn’t in the best interest of the rest of prisoners.”

Pork is inexpensive and nutritious and compares well to other lean meats, he said.

Ironically, the inmates’ lawsuit doesn’t involve pork at all; it demands that non-pork meats like beef come from animals slaughtered according to Islamic law. But the prisons system responded by simply removing pork as an option altogether.

If Ohio would provide Muslim inmates with pre-packaged meals similar to those given to Jewish inmates, as the lawsuit requests, it wouldn’t be necessary to remove pork from menus, said David Singleton, executive director of the Ohio Justice and Policy Center, which is suing on behalf of the two inmates.

In a federal lawsuit, death row inmate Abdul Awkal complains that the state is restraining his religious freedoms by not providing meals prepared according to Islamic law, known as halal, while at the same time supplying Jewish prisoners with kosher meals.

Awkal, joined by a second inmate not on death row, says the vegetarian and non-pork options aren’t good enough. The inmates say food must be prepared in specific fashion, such as ensuring that an animal is butchered by slitting its throat and draining its blood, to conform to Islamic beliefs.

Prison guidelines for Muslim inmates already provided that meals will be “free of all pork and products containing or derived from pork.”'"