Islamic+Food1

__** Islamic Food! **__ =__Popular Foods__= toc In Islamic culture, there are many dishes that are popular among the community. These popular dishes are the equivalent of hamburgers and pizza in America. Furthermore, many of the popular Islamic dishes contain spices which are very popular among Muslims. It is one of the main aspects of Islamic food that gives it it's signature, recognizable character. Two examples of popular Islamic meal dishes are:

Pomegranate stew with chicken(Khoresh Fesenjan) and a side of berber bread
This dish is popular for many reasons. The main reason is of course that it appeals to the taste buds and palate of Muslims. However another big reason Muslims enjoy this dish is because it abides by the dietary restrictions that go along with Islamic culture (as mentioned in Traditions/Customs). One way it abides by the rules is, since Islamic culture forbids its people to eat pork, chicken stew is a great source of meat protein to have as a pork substitute.

Turkish Lamb with Saffron(Keleya Zaara)
This dish is popular for more or less the same reasons as the before mentioned Pomegranate Stew, since it is a dish centered around lamb. Lamb is a food that is approved by Islam, so Muslims enjoy it a lot. Lamb is another meat protein source that can be eaten instead of pork. Also, this meal contains spices and veggies, and veggies are a highly recommended meal side dish in Islamic culture.

=__Traditions/Customs__= Islamic culture comes with many dietary restrictions. The main restrictions on food are that you can't eat pork or drink alcohol. These food items are called Haram. (See Haram). If Muslims knowingly eat or drink anything that is Haram it is considered to be a sin. However, the food they are allowed to eat are Halal (See Halal).

Prayer
Before eating most Muslims say a prayer much like the Chrstian grace. It is their way of thanking Allah for food. A common pre-eating prayer Muslims say is "Assalaam Alaykum" meaning "With Allah's name and upon the blessings granted by Allah do we eat". All Muslims before eating must recite "Bismiallah hir rah maan nir raheem" which means "In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful". All Muslims recite this prayer and then they may add their own personal prayer thanking Allah for the food.

Ramadan
During the Islamic religious month of Ramadan there is even more specific dietary restrictions. One of the main aspects of Ramadan is that Muslims are not allowed to eat anything during sunrise and sunset. They to this in order to honor their Muslim ancestors that had to suffer through food less times. During Ramadan, Muslims prepare a huge feast when the sun goes down to celebrate the breaking of their day-long fast.



=__Haram__= Eating is a matter of faith in Islam. Muslim dietary practice is about obeying God. Muslim believers obey Allah by eating the allowed foods and avoiding the forbidden ones. In Islam, Haram refers to any kind of food that is prohibited by the word of Allah in the Qur'an. Some examples include pork, ham, intoxicants/alcohol, blood by-products, animals killed in the name of Allah, and most carnivorous animals.

=__ Halal __= Islamic dietary laws define lawful or permitted foods as Halal. Some examples of Halal foods are milk, honey, fish, plants which are not intoxicant, fresh or naturally frozen vegetables, fresh or dried fruits, nuts, eggs, pasta, rice, etc. Seafood is also permitted, because t he Qur'an states that everything from the sea is halal. Animals such as cows, sheep, goats, deer, moose, chickens, ducks, game birds, etc., are also Halal, but they must be // Zabihah // (slaughtered according to Islamic Rites [see below]) in order to be eaten.

__ Zabihah __
Procedure: The animal must be slaughtered by a Muslim. The animal should be put down on the ground (or held it if it is small) and its throat should be slit with a very sharp knife to make sure that the 3 main blood vessels are cut. While cutting the throat of the animal (without severing it), the person must pronounce the name of Allah or recite a blessing which contains the name of Allah, such as "Bismillah Allah-u-Akbar".

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