lennart
25-03-03, 16:09
In a disturbing revelation a US newspaper has quoted an army captain as saying that Iraqi prisoners of war will be fed on meals containing pork. The Kansas City Star in a March 11,2003 report quoted US Capt. Jeff Searl of Camp Virginia in Kuwait as saying that 'prisoners will eat what US soldiers do. That could mean meals-ready-to eat, the vacuum sealed food packs that often include some form of pork, which observant Muslims aren't supposed to eat.'
'We found in the Gulf War they ate them anyway. They were glad to have the ham slices,' he added.
In another report published in The Scotsman a US soldier based in Camp Matilda in Kuwaiti desert talked about what to do when prisoners or refugees turn aggressive when offered foods containing pork. "We've learnt that if we give a ration pack containing pork to an enemy prisoner of war or refugee they may become aggressive. If that happens we are to make conciliatory gestures and say 'Salaam'," said Lance Corporal Chris Lucio.
Expressing his shock and dismay at these revelations and at the captain's remarks, Dr.Munir Chaudry, president of the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA), called them extremely insensitive and offensive to the average Muslim. IFANCA is a Chicago-based not-for-profit organization which had earlier provided input in the development of halal MREs (meals-ready-to-eat) when the US military decided to provide halal meals to its Muslim soldiers. In the first Gulf War, the council had also helped some of the major manufacturers in identifying and screening acceptable meals for Muslim prisoners and displaced individuals.
Dr.Chaudry in a letter addressed to Pres. George W. Bush wrote that giving meals containing pork to POWs and refugees is not a good option because apart from being expensive they will also 'fuel the feelings of hatred and animosity among other Muslims.'
He added that several alternatives are available including halal MREs, off the shelf halal certified stable meals, and non-meat meals and meal packs. He appealed to Mr.Bush to provide decent halal food to the refugees as well as the POWs.
'We found in the Gulf War they ate them anyway. They were glad to have the ham slices,' he added.
In another report published in The Scotsman a US soldier based in Camp Matilda in Kuwaiti desert talked about what to do when prisoners or refugees turn aggressive when offered foods containing pork. "We've learnt that if we give a ration pack containing pork to an enemy prisoner of war or refugee they may become aggressive. If that happens we are to make conciliatory gestures and say 'Salaam'," said Lance Corporal Chris Lucio.
Expressing his shock and dismay at these revelations and at the captain's remarks, Dr.Munir Chaudry, president of the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA), called them extremely insensitive and offensive to the average Muslim. IFANCA is a Chicago-based not-for-profit organization which had earlier provided input in the development of halal MREs (meals-ready-to-eat) when the US military decided to provide halal meals to its Muslim soldiers. In the first Gulf War, the council had also helped some of the major manufacturers in identifying and screening acceptable meals for Muslim prisoners and displaced individuals.
Dr.Chaudry in a letter addressed to Pres. George W. Bush wrote that giving meals containing pork to POWs and refugees is not a good option because apart from being expensive they will also 'fuel the feelings of hatred and animosity among other Muslims.'
He added that several alternatives are available including halal MREs, off the shelf halal certified stable meals, and non-meat meals and meal packs. He appealed to Mr.Bush to provide decent halal food to the refugees as well as the POWs.