MARCH-APRIL . 2023 | @ Halal
Foreign News
05
Halal food gaining popularity
in the US Halal restaurant openings have outpaced , reflecting Muslims ’ increased economic participation in America
SHAHED Amanullah ’ s crowdsourced website found 200 US establishments selling halal food . Twenty-five years later , the site recorded approximately 13,000 US halal eateries offering cuisine from Malaysia to Mexico .
The Pew Research Center expects the share of US Muslims to double ( from 0.9 to 2.1 per cent ) from 2010 to 2050 . Halal restaurant openings have outpaced that rate , reflecting Muslims ’ increased economic participation in America .
My Muslim Kitchen author Yvonne Maffei claims halal food has become mainstream in America like Mexican food did in the second half of the 20th century .
“ It ’ s something that only the [ Muslim ] community talked about 15 years ago , but today I have friends who have never visited the Middle East or know what halal is , but they know exactly what hummus , falafel , and shawarma are , and they love it .”
( Not all Middle Eastern foods are halal . However , organisations certify halal and supply labels with symbols of conformance to food makers .)
Amanullah argued that until the early 2000s , most halal restaurants were tiny , family-run establishments serving “ backhome comfort food ” to Arab and South Asian immigrants .
“ You can truly find halal food for any culture or race in this neighbourhood now ,” says Washington Instagrammer Sarrah Abbasi . Abbasi evaluates Peruvian and Korean halal food .
Amanullah attributes the rapid growth of halal restaurants to the rising Muslim market and the shrinking cost difference for restaurants buying halal products .
“ Muslims make up only one per cent of the country , but in major metropolitan areas , it climbs to five , six or even 10 per cent ,” says Amanullah .
Restaurants also choose halal since the price gap between it and other meats is
shrinking . Amanullah credits Kansas ’ s halal beef manufacturing for decreased prices .
Amanullah also credited Muslim integration in American society .
THE yearly event takes place at Corporation Park following the Eid festival . The two-day festival on Apr 29-30 is geared at families and includes a variety of vendors , a fun fair , and fun activities .
Eid was on Apr 23 and marks the completion of Ramadan , the Muslim holy month that began on Mar 23 .
This year ’ s organisers have
People waiting in line at a Halal Guys food cart .
stated that they will stage a Halal Food Festival at the park over the weekend , hoping to showcase a variety of foods from across the region .
The halal food business has expanded over the last two decades , and Blackburn currently has a restaurant and takeaway scene rivalled only by Manchester .
Mohammad Quraishi , Festival
“ Halal isn ’ t a bad word in America ,” he said . “ You can have [ New York-based chain ] The Halal Guys and no one will make a big deal about it .”
Eid In The Park Halal Food Festival returns
Business Coordinator , stated : “ We look forward to bringing back Eid in the Park this year and introducing Blackburn Halal Food Festival .
“ This will be the first of a few changes we are looking to make in the coming years as we bring the event up to date and encourage halal food businesses to unleash their flavours at the festival .”
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