Campaigners
have set up a group on social networking website Facebook asking users
to support them in pressurising the Subway restaurant chain to “offer
all its customers the freedom to choose” whether they eat ritually
prepared or traditionally prepared meat.

The stores, in
Cheetham Hill and Levenshulme, stock only certified Halal meats, which
are prepared for consumption according to Muslim religious practice.

“We
believe this discriminates against non-Muslim customers,” wrote one of
the group’s administrators. “Our intention is not to deprive the Muslim
customers the right to Halal products, but we must be free to decide.”

The
group hope to encourage supporters to avoid buying Subway products,
send a letter of concern to the company and also to sign their
petition, which they intend to present to the company’s chief executive.

A
spokesman for Subway said: “The Subway chain has over 70 stores in the
Manchester and Greater Manchester area, of which several serve a range
of certified Halal meats.

“The Halal stores reflect an increased demand from the local Muslim community for Halal certified products.

“Subway
stores aim to cater for the whole community, by offering subs that
everyone can enjoy, and should customers wish to eat non-Halal meats at
a Subway store in Manchester, there are many others to choose from.”

Cheetham
councillor Afzal Khan, a former lead member for race equality, said:
“The company’s decision to serve Halal meat in these two areas seems to
me to be a commercial decision.

“If they have stopped providing non-Halal meat, then
the management must have concluded that there are not many meat eaters
who object to eating it.

“Through this policy they can make
their business viable and more profitable. I would support any action
which provides service to many diverse groups living in our vibrant
city.”