Swedish Jews, Muslims Issue Joint Statement On Animal Slaughter

Today's European Jewish Press reports on an unusual cooperative effort by the Jewish and Muslim communities of Sweden. Sweden is the only EU country in which the slaughter of animals according to the rules of kashrut and halal is legally prohibited as inhumane. Jews and Muslims argue that this restriction violates the protection of religious freedom found in the European Convention on Human Rights. On September 30, the Central Council for Jews in Sweden and the Muslim Council of Sweden issued a public joint statement advocating "after-cut stunning", a method of slaughter that would satisfy Jewish, and at least some Muslim, groups and would deal with the public's concerns with animal welfare. A report last April from the Swedish government's Animal Welfare Agency did not discuss this alternative.