Aïd Ritual Arouses Concern

This short excerpt from a paper publication called Minute is posted at Le Salon Beige. Tuesday, November 16, if you did not know, was the annual bloody ritual of slaughtering sheep known as Aïd al-Adha (also called Aïd el-Kébir):

The Muslims (...) have been the object of particular concern by the Minister of the Interior Brice Hortefeux and his colleague Bruno LeMaire, Minister of Agriculture and Food. On October 26, they sent a circular to all prefects that would make anyone blink in astonishment. Along with the circular, which was something like a sacrificer's guide for dummies, they sent a small plaque signed by Mohammed Moussaoui, the Moroccan president of the CFCM (French Council of the Muslim Religion). (...)

Throughout France the local authorities prepared for possible trouble on this bloody day for animals. An article in La Provence discussed the possibility of sheep being slaughtered inside apartments, something that is strictly forbidden. This was a special concern in Marseilles where the central slaughterhouse was not in operation. I have no more information on Aïd at this time. In years past I have posted or linked to horrible photos of the event. This year, I prefer not to. However, from the above, it seems obvious that the French government is actively participating in the "holiday" and sending little reminders to the prefects that they comply with the rules of the game (and learn to accept Aïd as a part of French life, in the event they are recalcitrant).

A related topic is of course halal. You may be interested in this article from the Scotsman on halal food being served (without advance notice) in the British House of Commons.

Finally, a French government agency called ARPP, that regulates advertising, has banned the public display of posters denouncing ritual slaughter and the forcing of halal foods on the unsuspecting public - unsuspecting, since labeling is not provided. Unless and until the ban is lifted, the campaign will be carried out only on the Internet. Several organizations are participants in the campaign, including Abattage Rituel and the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.

While at first this may seem relatively unimportant, it means, in fact, that the government is forbidding the free circulation of information vital to the consumer. This is almost a form of terrorism, but it also implies that the authorities are afraid to label food because they know there would be a serious boycott of halal products. In conclusion, fear of Islam is behind this ban.

Below, one of the posters banned from public view (except on the Internet):