Islamic Slaughterhouse Proposed for Rural Benton County

Correction: The story originally said Benton County staff were recommending approval of the project. That determination can only be made by the planning commission.

(KNSI) – A new Islamic-friendly butcher shop could be coming to rural Benton County soon.

The planning commission will debate whether to recommend approval of the facility at its August 28th meeting. The slaughterhouse would be located on 20 acres in Granite Ledge Township, which was purchased in June by the applicants, Sahil and Shah Mohammadi.

The Mohammadis are currently working with both Benton County and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to get proper permitting for the halal meat shop. A new septic system has already been installed, and a separate holding tank will be used to dispose of animal waste.

The facility would not be able to sell its meat to grocery stores or other retailers. Instead, they will raise up to 490 sheep on the property. Those sheep would then be sold to individuals. The shop could then process the sheep and transfer the meat to the new owners of the animal. Carcasses would then be disposed of off-site through a third-party vendor.

All animals would be treated in a halal manner, which translates to permissible in Arabic. The Islamic manner of killing an animal requires a person to make a quick cut to the jugular vein, carotid artery, and windpipe. It is intended to end the life of the animal in a humane way.

The store would be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday operations on a rare occasion.

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