Eating dogs, monkeys and cats is ‘halal’

After issuing a fatwa asking Egyptians to eat locusts that invaded the country last week, head of the Fatawa centre in Al Azhar declared eating monkeys, flies, rats, elephants, cats, dogs, and butterflies is also considered halal (permissible) in Islam.

In a recent interview with London-based Al Sharq Al Awsat, Abdul Hamid Al Atrash said some Asians eat worms, dogs and cats, which is allowed in Islam. Yet, to many others it is considered disgusting.

“The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) did not eat dab lizard, not because it is forbidden in Islam, but because he was disgusted by it. Still, someone ate it in front of him. That’s why a Muslim can eat any animal unless it is forbidden in the Holy Quran.”

Al Atrash said even eating a fly is allowed. “But who eats it? It is a disgusting insect,” he commented.

He said food is all a matter of tradition and culture. “There are people who got used to eating certain animals. In Jordan, when I tried to eat veal meat with yoghurt, which the Jordanians relish, I couldn’t stand it. Then I got used to it after a while.”

Asked about guidelines on eating the flesh of human beings, which is forbidden in Islam, Al Atrash said, “Islam allows eating the flesh of human beings, pork and even drinking alcohol in cases of emergency, when there is nothing else to eat or drink and survival is threatened.”