Hosting a Student with Halal Requirements?

I am joining a program that arranges families to host international students and they have a requirement for families who are prepared to host students with halal requirements.





I am looking for advice on how much of an impact this may have on our typically western routines/cultures. For example I appreciate he/she would not drink but would he/she be offended by the fact we have a drink or two now and again?





I have a good idea on the meats they can and cannot have but what about simple things like the prepared cooking sauces that come in jars, etc?





Any advice that would make it an enjoyable stay for the student and my family would be very much appreciated.





Grafs.

Hosting a Student with Halal Requirements?
Many muslims want the chicken to be Halal too in addition to meat. So it might be a good idea to find out the degree of strictness the student persues.





Remember all the restrictions when eating out too. For example you cannot take the student to McDonalds for a hamburger.





In general avoid Pork and Alchohol in any of their forms.
Reply:Dear Grafs,





As already mentioned, avoid pork products. Be esp aware of things that might easily be overlooked, like lard and bacon bits for salads, etc.





A safe bet for your menu might be to serve fish %26amp; seafood as they do not need to be slaughtered the Muslim way. Better yet, go all vegetarian. There is a wide selection of vegetarian "meats" made of soy which taste great, should you desire to serve "chicken" or etc some times.





Sauces, canned %26amp; bottled foods that are vegetarian %26amp; vegan-friendly and/or kosher should be as acceptable to Muslim diners as well.





Some Muslims don't mind non-Muslims consuming alcohol in their presence, but it would be diplomatic and culturally-sensitive of you to abstain from serving and consuming alcohol when you have Muslim guests. After all, if you want to make a good impression, it would be far better to err on the side of caution. :O)





It's great that you are being so considerate of other culture's sensitivities. Good luck!
Reply:if you go to an Indian or Mediterranean grocers... you can ask for meat that is Halal cut. It means that the animal has been pretty much dedicated/blessed by God when slaughtered. it is very important to them.





of course, they can not consume pork or alcohol. and honestly, in their faith, to even sit with someone who is partaking in something which is Haram (a sin) is as if they are committing the Haram themselves. so, in order to help them feel most comfortable... it would be better if you did not drink or consume pork with them in the home. however, this depends on how religious they are... they may be more open. i am just thinking of a student and how vulnerable they may be feeling... i just know if it were my child... i would want the host family to do this for them. that's me, though.





also, some Muslims will just pray Bismillah over what they are eating to insure it is Halal. kind of the sense of 'what you don't know won't hurt you.' again... depends on the person... just as with anyone in any faith... there is a cushion for ignorance... if they consume something on accident... it may devastate them but they will be forgiven...





hope this helps...
Reply:Hi Grafs,


For a Muslim, we consume food with the Halal label which can be found on dry and wet foods such as canned, poultry, snacks, chocolates, ice-cream.





Pork and alcoholic drinks (even ice-cream/chocolates with rum are permitted) for the Muslim.





Meats such as cow, mutton, chicken, duck must be Halal, i.e slaughtered in a Muslim way. You may considering buying them in packets form instead from a butcher who might/not know the way of slaughtering in a Muslim way .





Fishes, eggs, fruits, vegetables does not posed restrictions to be consumed by a Muslim.





The cooking utensils used at home must be free from traces of non-Halal foods such as pork, lard, etc.





Hope this info will be of great help.
Reply:Will everything is halal expect for pork, gelatin in any food isn’t acceptable ,except kosher , and alcohol
Reply:I would never extend such an invitation in this unstable world.


I think Kosher and halal is nonsense. V%26amp;V just boarders on foolishness also.
Reply:i am muslim and have halal requirements also. i would suggest that you look on labels of canned foods for any form of alchohol and pork. also, it is not a great idea to drink alchohol, considering that it may make your guest feel uncomfortable. sticking w/ veggies and maybe fish is probably the best way to go
Reply:First, find out from the person by asking him/her directly how s/he feels about things. Some people are not as strict as others.





For the Muslims I know, myself, who are VERY strict and VERY reliigous:





1. All meat must be Halal/Zabihah (slaughtered in the Islamic way). Find a store in your area that sells halal meats (try www.zabihah.com to find places near you).





2. The people I know WOULD be offended if you drank around them. If you must drink, do it out of sight of the student, and when you are not going to be around him/her for a while (so s/he doesn't see you drunk or smell the alcohol on your breath!)





3. Sauces in jars have no restrictions, as long as they do not contain meat or meat by-products. Read labels.





4. Watch out for alcohol in places you might not expect. For example, Muslims can't eat anything that has vanilla extract in it, because vanilla extract has alcohol in it! No beer-battered fish %26amp; chips. Check your toothpaste ingredients for alcohol. Most mouthwashes have alcohol in them, and so do many (if not most) cough medicines.