By Majid Nabi
Srinagar- Momos, the round soft dough balls that are filled with juicy stuffings are delight of all street food lovers these days. The dumplings have become a craze in past decade in Kashmir. Easily available, portable and with no paraphernalia needed other than a steamer, they are much easy. And are cheap as well. But they are dangerous too, many believe and that includes the Grand Mufti of Kashmir, Mufti Nasir-al Islam.
Expressing serious concerns over the use of what he alleged ‘carrion’ or meat of a forbidden animal in steam filled dumplings in Muslim majority region, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam on Wednesday asked the authorities to investigate the matter and bring the facts to fore.
Claims made by the Grand Mufti of Kashmir that the momos may contain the meat of a dead or banned animal have left everyone bewildered as Kashmir’s street food enthusiasts savour the Tibetan steam dumplings filled with chicken or mutton.
Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam claimed the meat used in momos is purchased for Rupees 150 per kilogram from sources outside J&K, and that the price of raw meat used in steam dumplings has made him suspicious.
He urged people to refrain from consuming momos until it is confirmed whether the meat used in it is Halal or Haram.
“We purchase lamb mutton at Rs 650 per kg, while beef is also sold at around Rs 300 per kilogram in the open market. If we talk about chicken, it’s also sold at Rs 170 to 180 per Kg, but the price of meat used in momos is sold at Rs 150 per kg, isn’t this doubtful,” Grand Mufti told Kashmir Observer.
He said the administration has also raided some momo kiosks in the Eidgah area of the old city a few days ago and seized the raw meat being used in momos.
“However, they are yet to establish whether the meat is Halal or Haram as consumption of Haram meat is strictly prohibited for a Muslim,” the Grand Mufti said.
“It’s unfortunate and shocking that the administration is yet to issue a statement in this regard. How could they play with the religious sentiments of people?,” he questioned.
Elsewhere in India researchers have found that the fillings inside momos, in cheap roadside eateries are made of already dead animals that is brought at a very cheap rate. The news of vendors even stuffing donkey meat inside the momos in many states has been doing rounds from quite sometime.
Mufti Nasir urged the administration to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and bring the facts to fore so as to make people aware of what actually they consume.
“How could the government maintain silence over such a sensitive issue, if they have raided momo stalls in the old city, why are they shying away from sharing details? They have to ascertain facts and close down such stalls without any delay, after all this is the matter of our faith,” he added.
When contacted, Tehsildar Eidgah, Ishfaq Ahmad Khan refused to comment on the issue. Instead, he asked this reporter not to disturb him, saying he was busy buying a sacrificial animal for Eid.
“Yes we raided some stalls but details can be obtained from my office. Tomorrow is Eid and I am busy buying a sacrificial animal. At the moment, please do not disturb me,” he added.
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