Hi Steve,
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to dispel a big misconception here.
We'd like to point out that this is purely and simply a matter of cruelty - not religion or race. Sadly, cruelty knows no borders. As you will know by looking through this site, Australia too has legalised animal cruelty in the form of factory farming for example. Regarding live export, the Australian live export trade has been supplying millions upon millions of live animals to destinations where they are aware of the cruel and brutal fate that awaits them.
This makes Australian live exporters as culpable as those whose unfortunate job it is to kill the animals at the other end.
Indeed, what we have seen inside two Egyptian facilities and in many other places our investigators have visited, is that this type of brutal slaughter is not in any way 'halal'. The myth that live animals are required because of the need to conform to strict religious requirements is a myth that has been busted time and time again. It's also worth noting that Australia exports halal accredited meat to the same countries that we send live animals to. Also, stunning is largely accepted by muslim leaders in Australia (see
www.banliveexport.com/facts/halal.php)
There are courageous people all over the world - and from all races and religions - who are standing up to animal cruelty. Despite the fact that many Australian industry officials had visited these Egyptian abattoirs many times, it was only when the whistle was blown by a local Egyptian vet, that this cruelty was exposed. Read more about his story here:
www.banliveexport.com/features/egyptian-vet-speaks-out.php
We also strongly support the wonderful efforts of our Egyptian colleagues at the Society for the Protection of Animal Rights in Egypt and the Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals, who are working very hard towards having animal protection laws enacted in Egypt.
In Jordan, Animals Australia has been working in collaboration with the Princess Alia Foundation to bring sweeping improvements to the treatment of animals in that country. Again, this would never be possible without the dedication of compassionate Muslims in that part of the world. We firmly believe that animals need us to work together on their behalf if they are to have any hope of living in a kinder world.
We know that the abuse we have uncovered in Egypt and other countries appalls all caring people - Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and atheists alike! In our long experience the only common thread among those who allow systemic cruelty to animals to continue are the ones who stand to profit from it.
For the animals' sakes, we would appreciate if you respected our work with our brave Muslim advocates and all people around the world of different races and religions who are working hard to help animals, by refraining from posting comments that seek to create false divisions among us.
