In a debate in Parliament on 9 June, four Muslim independent MPs strongly defended the right to perform halal slaughter in the UK. The debate came after a public petition calling for a ban on non-stun slaughter gained over 109,000 signatures—enough to trigger formal discussion in the House of Commons.

While the petition claimed animal welfare as its focus, many MPs, including Iqbal Mohamed, Adnan Hussain, Shockat Adam and Ayoub Khan, argued that it masked deeper prejudice against religious minorities.

Iqbal Mohamed MP criticised the way the issue was being presented, suggesting that the debate was less about animals and more about targeting Muslim and Jewish practices. He reminded the House that halal and kosher methods are already governed by strict rules that aim to minimise animal suffering. This includes ensuring the animal is healthy, not stressed, and not exposed to other animals being slaughtered.

"A title dressed as a welfare concern but sounding like a dog whistle for xenophobia, targeting religious practices, particularly Jewish and Muslim communities." Iqbal Mohamed, MP

Adnan Hussain MP raised historical concerns by pointing out that similar bans in Nazi Germany had used animal welfare as a cover for antisemitic policies. He warned that such moves risk repeating past injustices by restricting religious freedom under the guise of ethics.

Shockat Adam MP pointed out that while some studies suggest non-stun methods may cause pain, stunning methods are not perfect either—up to 30% of non-penetrative stuns can fail, causing distress. He argued no method is entirely pain-free, so it’s wrong to label one as civilised and the other as cruel.

“We are looking at a sector which brings two billion pounds of trade within the UK economy every year. The demand for non-stun halal and kosher meat is not going to cease, because for many it is a matter of profound unwavering religious conviction.” Ayoub Khan, MP

Ayoub Khan MP raised economic concerns, noting that halal and kosher meat contribute over £2 billion to the UK economy annually. A ban, he warned, would hurt British farmers and lead to increased imports from countries with weaker animal welfare laws.

Meanwhile, MP Rupert Lowe called for a full ban on religious slaughter, describing the practice in graphic terms and criticising meat labelling. However, his view was rejected by the other MPs present.