AYAAN INSTITUTE LAUNCHES STOP HATE AGAINST HALAL CAMPAIGN

Media Statement: 24^th August 2026

The Ayaan Institute has today launched its Stop Hate Against Halal campaign.

In recent months, white nationalists and anti-Muslim haters have been running a propaganda campaign against the halal meat and food industry. The campaign is based on myths and conspiracy theories. The Restore MP, Rupert Lowe, has even called for a ban on halal meat altogether. Much of the anti-Muslim hate narrative against halal meat rests on the mistaken belief that banning halal meat would force a large number of Muslims to leave Britain.

The false argument is that the majority of halal meat comes from non-stunned slaughter and is therefore more cruel. In fact, 88% of halal meat is from stunned animals.

The halal meat and food industry forms a significant part of the British economy, with many people employed in it (both Muslims and non-Muslims).

Our research estimates that UK halal meat contributes £1.7 billion annually to the British economy, and the wider halal products and food market is worth £4.5 billion+. Muslim halal meat consumers account for 30% of UK lamb consumption, and the farming industry would be affected without this demand.  We estimate the halal industry employs between 55,000 and 80,000 people.

Jahangir Mohammed, Director of the Ayaan Institute, stated, “The research is summarised in three visual posters. We urge Muslim communities to share, use them against anti-halal narratives, and ask shopkeepers to display them.”