The UK Parliament has reaffirmed its commitment to religious freedom following a well-attended and strongly debated discussion on Monday the 9th of June 2025. 

The debate was prompted by a public petition that called for a ban on non-stun slaughter methods. The petition gained over 109,000 signatures, triggering parliamentary consideration and widespread concern from faith-based communities.

The Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC), the UK’s largest Halal certifying body, welcomed the outcome of the debate and expressed satisfaction with the government’s position. Representatives from HMC, who attended the session as observers, said they were reassured by the cross-party support shown in defence of religious slaughter practices that are central to both Muslim and Jewish traditions.

Speaking during the debate, Daniel Zeichner MP, Minister for Rural Affairs, made the government’s position clear. He stated that while the government prefers animals to be stunned before slaughter, it remains committed to protecting the rights of faith communities to carry out religious slaughter in accordance with their beliefs. 

These protections, enshrined in UK legislation since the Slaughter of Animals Act 1933, were reaffirmed as a core component of the country’s dedication to religious freedom.

The minister’s remarks were echoed by MPs across party lines who voiced strong support for upholding religious rights and countering harmful narratives that disproportionately target Muslim practices under the guise of animal welfare. 

Many parliamentarians warned against what they described as divisive and discriminatory rhetoric, emphasising the need for a fair and informed discussion that avoids stigmatising communities.

The debate brought attention to the broader picture of animal welfare, urging policymakers and the public to consider the entire lifecycle of the animal including farming conditions, transportation, handling, and slaughter. 

Several MPs argued that animal welfare should not be reduced to a single point of focus, such as stunning, but should instead be approached holistically and fairly across all methods and practices.

In a statement following the debate, HMC restate its long-standing commitment to both faith and animal welfare. The organisation affirmed that it will continue working closely with the government, regulators, and faith communities to raise ethical standards while protecting the rights of religious slaughter. 

HMC also renewed its call for greater transparency in the food sector, particularly through clear and honest labelling of meat products to allow consumers to make informed decisions.

Although 88% of Halal meat in the UK is currently pre-stunned, HMC cited independent research indicating that over 70% of British Muslims prefer non-stunned Halal meat. This disparity, the organisation said, highlights the urgent need for clearer labelling standards and public education on the differences between Halal certification methods.

Zoya Ahmed, a 22-year-old Indian Muslim from Bradford, also shared her views on the matter. “As someone who was born and brought up here, it’s upsetting to see parts of our faith constantly questioned under the guise of animal welfare. Non-stun slaughter isn’t just a ritual. 

It’s a deeply spiritual practice rooted in compassion and tradition. I follow a more orthodox understanding of Islam, and for me, eating only non-stunned Halal meat is part of my religious conviction. 

We’ve grown up being told that the UK respects religious freedom, so it’s disheartening when debates like this make us feel targeted. I just hope that our voices are taken seriously, not side-lined.”

Afia Ali, a British Muslim of Pakistani heritage, also shared her religious viewpoint saying: “As a British Muslim, I firmly believe that meat should be slaughtered with takbeer (the mention of Allah) and without stunning. 

Stunning the meat diminishes the purpose of making it Halal for us Muslims to eat, and I believe that meat should be slaughtered in a way that complies with Islamic rulings and guidelines.”

HMC also used the occasion to thank all parliamentarians who spoke in favour of protecting religious freedom and preserving the legal allowance for non-stunned slaughter.

The outcome of the debate, the organisation said, serves as a powerful reminder of the UK’s historic and ongoing commitment to multiculturalism, respect for religious practice, and balanced policymaking.

Founded to serve the needs of the Muslim community, HMC is a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation. Last month alone, HMC staff carried out over 13,000 inspections across outlets nationwide, spending more than 12,000 hours ensuring that food products meet Halal requirements. 

The organisation is governed by a voluntary National Executive Committee composed mainly of Islamic scholars.

HMC pledged to continue its work to protect the integrity of Halal standards, safeguard the rights of Muslim consumers, and work collaboratively with wider society for a future that honours both religious freedoms and the welfare of animals.