Thanks for that Chris.
I think we should also keep in mind that religion/belief rights also
protects those with no beliefs. Only offering food that is Halal /
Kosher may offend the rights of people who don't follow religious
beliefs if the only option is having to eat food that has specifically
been prepared under religious / beliefs procedures.
As can be seen by the various responses it is a quite complicated issue
and can have several unforseen pitfalls.
Marie
Chris Baxter wrote:
> Dear all
> The issue of dietary requirements is potentially too huge to contemplate
> within one institution, certain policy decisions on provision of 'a
> percentage' of Halal and/ or Kosher is a sensible way forward I feel.
> Consultation is the key and I would involve student societies such as
> the Islamic Soc, Jewish Students Soc, Sikh soc but also ask for free
> ranging (pardon the pun) comments from all users.
>
> What we tried to do here was to encourage our hospitality services to
> make information as clear and easy to understand as possible so that
> people are making informed choices. There are religious requirements
> that clash so some groups will want Halal and some will want to avoid
> it. Ensuring good quality and plenty of vegetarian options is always a
> good idea (not just because I am a vegetarian I hasten to add).
> Requirements often focus on meat and the way it is processed, if food is
> vegetarian (and I don't just mean cheese) then this offers a useful
> alternative.
>
> We also thought of offering a guide: Muslims eat this, Hindus eat that,
> but found that would be too prescriptive and possibly wrong at best and
> could be seen as patronising at worst.
>
> The ECU guides on religions are a useful starter, it was through these
> that I began to understand why halal or kosher might not suit everyone
> who eats meat for example!
>
> There are always gluten free choices on our hospitality menus. Halal is
> provided through at least one of the main outlets and this carries the
> Halal symbol (which presumably you would know if you needed to avoid
> Halal) there were some kosher 'take away' foods available in our Student
> Shop. Kosher food within the main kitchens would be impossible to
> provide since it would need many separate facilities. There would not
> seem to have been a demand for it in the way that there has been a
> demand for Halal.
>
> I hope this helps, although it doesn't offer a definitive guide.
>
> Chris Baxter
> Diversity Officer
> Student Services
>
--
Marie Paturel
University Diversity Projects Manager
Student Services / Human Resources
London Metropolitan University
North Campus
166-220 Holloway Road
London
N7 8DB
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Tel: 020 7133 2108
Fax: 020 7133 2322
Departmental Website: www.londonmet.ac.uk/student-services
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