Numerous slaughterhouses across Iceland will be adopting halal methods of slaughtering sheep.
RÚV reports that the slaughterhouses SS in Selfoss, KVH in Hvamstangi and KS in Sauðárkrókur have all adopted the halal methods, but in comparison to traditional Icelandic methods of slaughtering animals, not much is changed.
Traditionally, Icelanders have slaughtered sheep with electric shocks to the head and back, by striking the head of the animal, and then stabbing it in the heart. The Halal method – the prescribed method of slaughtering animals in the Muslim faith – calls for an electric shock to the head that knocks the animal unconscious, and then its throat is slit.
The most visible change to the slaughtering method is that a person stands by and either recites prayers or has prayers in mind as the animals are slaughtered. All the meat in the slaughterhouse is then certified halal. This opens an entirely new market for the exportation of Icelandic lamb meat abroad, not to mention expanding the market base by a few hundred here at home.
(Photo: isbona.com)