Sunday, August 2, 2020

A Taste of Eid


Halal certified. This is why I've developed a habit of meticulously checking food labels in grocery stores and supermarkets, a journey that has led me to discover the world of Halal food.

But then, I wanted to dine in a Halal-certified restaurant in Manila. It was a crowded, busy scene in bustling old downtown Manila, the Philippine capital.

Halal, a term that means 'permissible or allowed in Islam ', is not just a dietary standard. It's a cultural practice that is gaining global recognition, even among non-Muslims.

And so last year, in 2019, I celebrated Eid in the busy district of Quiapo in downtown Manila, where the Golden Mosque is located.


The mosque was commissioned by former First Lady Imelda Marcos and built in 1976 to welcome Libyan President Gaddafi, but he couldn't visit the country.

It became a community for our Muslim brothers and sisters, where they settled and established their livelihoods.

Businesses like Halal restaurants are thriving within the vicinity of the Golden Mosque.

Halal-certified food isn't just about religious guidelines. It's about choosing a 'clean and healthy' diet, free from alcohol and pork-derived products, which can have significant health benefits.

For health reasons, animal products sometimes carry diseases transferrable to humans. Regular consumption can develop into diseases like common hypertension and high cholesterol, leading to cardiac disorders or heart ailments.


Since the pandemic, we have preferred to eat organic vegetables, which we grow on our newly developed farm. We just want a healthier body to boost our immunity to fight diseases.

Investing in health and wellness is wise, so we're adapting health standards like Halal.

The world and humanity must be health-conscious. We now understand how vulnerable we are to diseases if we don't adopt the best health practices and lifestyles. It's not just a choice; it's a responsibility.

The taste of Eid is just as tasteful as any cuisine in the world. However, they have improved their practice to the highest health standard.

We always choose to be healthy. We choose to be well.

© 2020 Del Cusay