Washington University Dining Services is working with the Muslim Students Association to look into bringing Halal food options to campus.

Halal food for Muslims is similar to kosher options for Jewish people: Both are guided by regulations about the way the animals are killed. Without Halal options, observant Muslims on campus must eat either fish or vegetarian dishes.

According to Nadeem Siddiqui, resident district manager for Dining Services, the change would not be expensive or demanding.

In order to conform to Halal standards, Dining Services would need to order different meat, use specific pans to avoid cross-contamination and avoid using any alcohol in food preparation.

“I don’t think there’d be major costs, but that’s why were doing some investigation,” Siddiqui said. “We want to make sure our staff is trained, we have the right equipment and there’s the right demand.”

Freshman Nabeel Moon, treasurer of the Muslim Students Association (MSA), estimated that between 70 and 100 people have directly appealed to MSA to seek Halal options, but that many others would be interested.

“Discussions have been happening for the past five years, but they haven’t gone as far as they have right now,” Moon said. “The interest is coming from the MSA and the MSA at the law school.”

The association is working with an organization called STLHalal, which is working to bring Halal meats to the campus of Saint Louis University as well.

MSA is also cooperating with the Diversity Affairs Council to propose a resolution to SU Senate encouraging Dining Services to offer Halal meats.

The association hopes to start offering Halal food in Bear’s Den and The Village, eventually branching out the DUC and Ursa’s if demand is sufficient.

“It’ll be something that they don’t have right now, where the demand will be high,” Moon said. “It won’t just be for Muslims, it’ll be for everyone. There’s no difference in the taste of the food, it’s just that the meat is from a different source.”

Moon added that the introduction of Halal foods would appeal to more than just students.

“It’ll open Bear’s Den to the whole Muslim community in St. Louis, depending on how the food is,” Moon said.

According to Siddiqui, additions to the menu will mostly mean ensuring that they will match student demand and interest.

“We’re trying to make it economical and viable, making sure it follows the need of the Muslim students,” Siddiqui said. “Dining Services tries to look for ways to serve the community in the best way possible.”