Carolina hog farmer granted license to slaughter halal lambs, goats

(RNS) A North Carolina hog farmer who slaughtered lambs and goats for local Muslims has been granted a license to build a $200,000 slaughterhouse that will follow the dictates of Muslim law.

Kenneth Rowe and his son, Eddie, were nearly shut down earlier this year after state agriculture officials learned he had leased his farm to Muslims who slaughtered lambs for the holiday of Eid al-Adha. The holiday commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac.

According to the Associated Press, Muslim leaders persuaded officials not to shut down the facility on Eid al-Adha.

Rowe is building the slaughterhouse with the intention of operating it according to Muslim legal guidelines regarding slaughtering, known as halal. Halal animals must be slaughtered with a sharp knife that cuts through both carotid arteries, which Muslims believe is the most humane way of quickly anesthetizing and killing an animal.