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Some San Tan Valley residents are upset about a Muslim ritual happening in the area.

A religious group is performing Zabiha, the process of slaughtering animals for their meat to be clean.

"Maybe we don't agree with it," said Pinal County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Steve Henry, "But there's nothing wrong with it and it falls well within the purview of religious freedom."

The group is performing the ritual on private property.

Some people want PCSO to stop it, but Henry said they the group has every right to practice Zabiha.

"It's a lot like watching TV." Henry said. "If you don't like what's on the channel, change the channel. So if you live in this place, look the other direction."

The ritual is happening in a rural area on a piece of property no larger than four acres.

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  • Abuse
    Sam47Az wrote...
    This reminds me
    February 1, 2012 2:26 pm
    of when I was young. Our rural road consisted of 20 acre parcels. But right across the street was a cow pasture. One day the neigbors had a slaughter truck come and butcher a cow. All of my brothers and sisters lined up at the fence and watched the whole thing starting with the rifle shot to the head of the cow. I'll never forget the sight of the bright red spray coming off the end of the chain saw. Very eye-opening. But I've never felt traumatized. It was just something you saw once in a great while out in the country.
  • Abuse
    Michoacan wrote...
    The oh so genteel San Tan Valleyans
    February 1, 2012 2:48 pm
    have a decided preference for our more modern methods of impersonal, non ritualized slaughter, preceded by cruel confinements and inhumane treatment...ending in a Happy Meal for their kiddies. I grew up in an era where animal slaughter was a regular up close and personal family activity. Not for the squeamish of San Tan Valley. As a child, I'd hold the cute little goats horns, pulling his head back, while dad or uncle would slit its throat and catch the blood in a bucket. This gruesomeness, as it turns out, is what has brought our human race to its current position in the food chain.
  • Abuse
    MINDYOURBIZ wrote...
    ITS ALL ABOUT RELIGION
    February 1, 2012 3:11 pm
    People right away tend to jump the gun. They tend to judge a book by its cover. Im pretty sure we all go hunting. You shoot what ever your going after. Once you shot it, you take hours finding the poor animal. Cause it will run for awhile before dying. So the animal is suffering with a bullet in it or an arrow. But thats ok right because its done by a non Muslin person right???? But in this case. Because they are Muslims, its a big deal. It has nothing to do with them killing what they are killing. Its all about RELIGION!!!!!! If people dont like what they are doing. Dont look.
  • Abuse
    trahe wrote...
    I don't understand...what's wrong?
    February 1, 2012 3:35 pm
    I don't understand... what's wrong with killing animals for food? That's a normal "country" activity. I need more information about what people are complaining about and why they are complaining.
  • Abuse
    wrote...
    um
    February 1, 2012 3:33 pm
    vegans?
  • Abuse
    Patriot wrote...
    Is it PETA?
    February 1, 2012 4:03 pm
    .
    **ICE Tip-line 1-866-DHS-2ICE**
  • Abuse
    redcav1 wrote...
    I think you
    February 1, 2012 4:53 pm
    support this....along with all muslims & your hero obummer (he's muslim, too).
    Vote Republican! Romney 2012!
  • Abuse
    joseph wrote...
    Look the other way
    February 1, 2012 5:08 pm
    Um there shouldnt be any problem with butchering! They dont suffer they cut the two Vains in the throat and the wind pipe which is immediate death! Just because ther Muslim People have a problem with them. But if they were American no one would have any problem with them, its food and they should just look the other way and continue its religion.
  • Abuse
    Amishwmn wrote...
    local news channel
    February 2, 2012 3:52 am
    showed the large tall wooden post that rose above the open non gated non fenced area that the goats were hung from the neighbor said the goats entrails were flowing to ground and it was seen from her yard by her children all they have to do is lower the post and put up a cheap privacy wall yep i grew up in amish farm area where grandma took a ax and cut the chicken head off chickens got drunk in neighbors corn mash too but we did not hang the slaughtered meat up on tall post so everyone could see it blocks away..
    Tribute to None...Let Rome Burn...
  • Abuse
    myname wrote...
    AMERICA is NOT a third world country
    February 2, 2012 5:47 am
    nor do WE intend to go BACK to one. YOU however MAY go BACK to wherever YOU came from, and so can these other THIRD world MUSLIMS!!!!!
  • Abuse
    wrote...
    ignorance is bliss...
    February 2, 2012 6:14 am
    I guess it easier to see your meat in your grocery than hanging on a post and I am pretty the kids in that block have seen more blood and death in movies and video games. I grew up in the country, where this was common practice. Before you start condemning ritualistic practices, last I checked, millions of Turkeys are slaughtered yearly for Thanksgiving. I guess that could be considered as 'ritualistic'.
  • Abuse
    gilbert armenta wrote...
    :)
    February 2, 2012 12:37 pm
    Nothing like petting the goat before you eat it. The first time is always shocking up until you get your grub on then you realize, "ahhhh so that's where those steaks have been coming from."
  • Abuse
    gmoney wrote...
    Dude,
    February 2, 2012 1:33 pm
    Get a life, your hood is showing...!
  • Abuse
    Michoacan wrote...
    Freedom of religion is a bitter pill
    February 2, 2012 2:23 pm
    for some to have to swallow. Some people think that everyone else should think and believe as they do. These diverse United States are a hostile environment for such thinkers.
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