Animal fat in new £5 note offensive, says Sikh activist

[Abdullah719]

The revelation the UK's new plastic £5 note contains a small amount of animal fat is "extremely offensive", a Sikh activist has said.

Jagdish Singh said it was "troubling" to find out that tallow - derived from beef or mutton, but sometimes pork - was used to manufacture the fiver.

He joined a number of Hindus in urging the notes be banned from temples, where meat products are forbidden.

A petition to ban the new £5 notes has attracted more than 100,000 signatures.

It calls on the Bank of England to "cease to use animal products in the production of currency that we have to use".

Hosted on the Change.org website, it states that tallow is "unacceptable to millions of vegans, vegetarians, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and others in the UK".

The Bank of England began issuing the polymer notes in September pledging they "last longer, stay cleaner and are harder to counterfeit than paper notes".

Its only response so far to the petition has been in a statement to "confirm that the polymer pellet from which the base substrate is made contains a trace of a substance known as tallow".

Critics say there are plant-based substitutes that could be used in its place.

'Implicated in process'

The response from the UK's Hindu and Sikh communities began to gather pace after vegans and vegetarians voiced their feelings on social media on Tuesday.

Hindus believe cows are holy and sacred, and many do not wear shoes or carry bags made from the skin of cattle that has been slaughtered. Practising Sikhs are strict vegetarians.

Speaking to the BBC's Asian Network, Coventry-based Mr Singh said: "Every time I come across a £5 note I'll be reminded that it contains meat by-product."

He said no animal by-product should breach the sanctity of a gurdwara [Sikh temple].

Gauri Das, managing director at the Bhaktivedanta Manor Hindu temple in Watford, is calling for the notes to be banned from his site immediately.

"Our temples prosper on the charity of all of our members," he said.

"Our ethos is not to harm animals. It's problematic for us because we're implicated in the process. So it's immediately become a matter of concern for our community."

Meanwhile, the president of one of the largest Hindu temples in Leicester has urged worshippers not to give charitable donations with the new £5.

Vibhooti Acharya, from the Shree Sanatan Mandir temple, said it was a "matter of choice" but it would be putting up notices to make the community aware of the situation.

She added: "There needs to be a decision made between committee as to whether we accept £5 notes in religious ceremonies in future."

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-38160291

 

[Moh@n]

This should be a concern to Muslims as well because the OP says sometimes the tallow used in the currency is derived from pork too.

 

[Abdullah719]

This should be a concern to Muslims as well because the OP says sometimes the tallow used in the currency is derived from pork too.

I don't see why. The notes are not to be eaten.

 

[Yossarian]

I don't see why. The notes are not to be eaten.

Considering the way food prices may go up after Brexit, one may have to get one's ration of meat from eating £5 notes instead of buying meat from the shops.

 

[JaDed]

Why would animal fat even be required?

 

[Nostalgic]

This is like 1857 all over again. Have these Brits learnt nothing since that fateful year?

 

[Moh@n]

I don't see why. The notes are not to be eaten.

So Muslims have no issues with touching pork? I didn't know that, thanks for the enlightenment.

 

[Abdullah719]

So Muslims have no issues with touching pork? I didn't know that, thanks for the enlightenment.

The problem is consumption of pork.

Pigs are not some kind of kryptonite for Muslims as many people are led to believe.

 

[Abdullah719]

Considering the way food prices may go up after Brexit, one may have to get one's ration of meat from eating £5 notes instead of buying meat from the shops.

That sounds rather alarming.

Any possibility of chicken or beef in the £5 notes?

 

[troodon]

So Brits cannot even do what they like in their own country.

What would [MENTION=1842]James[/MENTION], [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION], @ Junaids think about this?

 

[Slog]

So Brits cannot even do what they like in their own country.

What would [MENTION=1842]James[/MENTION], [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION], @ Junaids think about this?

So you think Sikhs living there for three generations aren't British?

 

[troodon]

So you think Sikhs living there for three generations aren't British?

Yes, they are British too along with Hindus and Muslims.

I don't see any issue with currency notes having animal fat. Nobody is asking them to eat the notes.

Making an issue out of nothing I feel.

 

[Suleiman]

So Muslims have no issues with touching pork? I didn't know that, thanks for the enlightenment.

Thousands of Muslims work in grocery stores and even in the food industry in the West constantly have to handle pork or alcohol products with no problems.

Many people go extreme, but yeah as long as you're not consuming all that it's fine.

 

[Syed1]

The problem is consumption of pork.

Pigs are not some kind of kryptonite for Muslims as many people are led to believe.

Actually Muslims are also advised to stay as far away from pork as possible

 

[James]

So Brits cannot even do what they like in their own country.

What would [MENTION=1842]James[/MENTION], [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION], @ Junaids think about this?

I'm a vegetarian so I don't agree with the needless use of animal fat in an item of currency.

 

[Abdullah719]

Actually Muslims are also advised to stay as far away from pork as possible

I am under the impression that the prohibition is regarding pork consumption. In a broader aspect, this would mean that you can't sell pork or offer it at a restaurant that you own, for example, just as you can't sell alcohol.

But for other uses such as this one, I assume it wouldn't be an issue since it has absolutely no correlation with consumption.

Somewhat similar to how perfumes with minute amounts of alcohol are usually considered permissible, or alcohol for wounds.

I could be wrong.

 

[Indiafan]

Huh, first time hearing about sikhs having problem with beef or pork

 

[SandyB]

Huh, first time hearing about sikhs having problem with beef or pork

Me too. I used to think Sikhism had no objection towards meat / alcohol consumption.

 

[Moh@n]

I am under the impression that the prohibition is regarding pork consumption. In a broader aspect, this would mean that you can't sell pork or offer it at a restaurant that you own, for example, just as you can't sell alcohol.

But for other uses such as this one, I assume it wouldn't be an issue since it has absolutely no correlation with consumption.

Somewhat similar to how perfumes with minute amounts of alcohol are usually considered permissible, or alcohol for wounds.

I could be wrong.

Most people here in India have a habit of licking their thumb or index finger while counting currency. So this would certainly be an issue for such folks.

But it might be just a desi thing

 

[Slog]

Actually Muslims are also advised to stay as far away from pork as possible

doubt it. its Allah's creation

( i mean staying away from the animal. in regards to how some people even avoid saying the word 'pig''

 

[Moh@n]

Yes, they are British too along with Hindus and Muslims.

I don't see any issue with currency notes having animal fat. Nobody is asking them to eat the notes.

Making an issue out of nothing I feel.

Hindus and Sikhs do not donate meat in temples or gurdwaras, irrespective of whether they consume meat or not.

Read the OP. They have an issue with such currency notes being donated at their respective worship places, which in my opinion is a very reasonable objection.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Just ask for pound coins in your change instead. Similarly when donating you can donate using £1 or £2 coins if you are really sensitive about such issues.

 

[troodon]

Hindus and Sikhs do not donate meat in temples or gurdwaras, irrespective of whether they consume meat or not.

Read the OP. They have an issue with such currency notes being donated at their respective worship places, which in my opinion is a very reasonable objection.

Why do some communities have to show that they are different to the native people? The idea should be assimilating. If people start complaining about every little thing, it will only lead to more divisions.

Unless they are trying to force feed the person something that is against his/her religious beliefs, there should be no objection.

If there is a bit of animal fat in the pound bills, I am sure God will understand. Its not the devotees fault. It is what is available.

 

[sshakir411]

The problem is consumption of pork.

Pigs are not some kind of kryptonite for Muslims as many people are led to believe.

+1...most leather shoes are also made out of Pig and so are your wallets, jackets, belts, etc...

 

[Spidy201]

Me too. I used to think Sikhism had no objection towards meat / alcohol consumption.

Alcohol or any other intoxicant is strictly prohibited in Sikhism.
there is not much written about meat, but it's never allowed in Gurdware as far as I know..

 

[HussainRx8]

Considering the way food prices may go up after Brexit, one may have to get one's ration of meat from eating £5 notes instead of buying meat from the shops.

Why would food prices go up? If anything, they would go down.

 

[HussainRx8]

Why do some communities have to show that they are different to the native people? The idea should be assimilating. If people start complaining about every little thing, it will only lead to more divisions.

Unless they are trying to force feed the person something that is against his/her religious beliefs, there should be no objection.

If there is a bit of animal fat in the pound bills, I am sure God will understand. Its not the devotees fault. It is what is available.

The idea should never be assimilation. It should be integration. A melting pot, where different cultures thrive under the same umbrella. Also, they're not different from Native people. They are citizens who are equal in every way possible. Just like the natives have a right to object to something, so do they.

 

[troodon]

The idea should never be assimilation. It should be integration. A melting pot, where different cultures thrive under the same umbrella. Also, they're not different from Native people. They are citizens who are equal in every way possible. Just like the natives have a right to object to something, so do they.

That is where the friction comes between native majors people and immigrants who have become citizens.

You cannot keep changing stuff just because it hurts someone's sentiments.

 

[imrankhannsu]

I dont think atleast as a muslim i would be worried as I am not consuming it, and this the only form of physical currency (Allah knows your intentions and he is most gracious and merciful). I mean if u think of it muslims wont be able to wear leather products without knowing if the animal ticked all the boxes of halal, consume pharmaceutical products use perfumes ( due to alcohol content).

However it would ironic if the same people who are protesting leech of the UK benefit system

 

[imrankhannsu]

On a side note: My devoutee Hindu house mate comes back showing me his proud tanned leather jacket. I asked him if he knew the leather of that jacket was cow skin. Returned it the next day. I dont buy trainers or shoe if it is labelled pig skin. Puma leather shoes usually do.

 

[sshakir411]

On a side note: My devoutee Hindu house mate comes back showing me his proud tanned leather jacket. I asked him if he knew the leather of that jacket was cow skin. Returned it the next day. I dont buy trainers or shoe if it is labelled pig skin. Puma leather shoes usually do.

that's true. Puma uses pig, a lot. It's the cheapest form and usually these companies mix and match the animals based on the product. It's very hard to know though unless it's clearly mentioned which it usually isn't.

 

[Yossarian]

Why would food prices go up? If anything, they would go down.

The pound has gone down already. Which means imported foods and ingredients (including the raw supplies for foods manufactered or processed in the UK) have already started going up in £ terms. Currently the retailers and wholesalers are absorbing most of these price increases. But eventually they will start passing them onto consumers. And if the economy suffers once Brexit actually happens in a couple of years or so, which is likely to be the case, then watch as inflation takes hold and prices start shooting up.

 

[HussainRx8]

The pound has gone down already. Which means imported foods and ingredients (including the raw supplies for foods manufactered or processed in the UK) have already started going up in £ terms. Currently the retailers and wholesalers are absorbing most of these price increases. But eventually they will start passing them onto consumers. And if the economy suffers once Brexit actually happens in a couple of years or so, which is likely to be the case, then watch as inflation takes hold and prices start shooting up.

Well that's good for Britain, since inflation > deflation. But as Brexit unfolds, private consumption and private investment would fall too. This will end up counteracting some of the effect of pound sterling. Interesting times ahead.

 

[Mamoon]

Activists are way too easy to offend. Be it religious activists, animal activists, feminists or LGBT activists. Nothing to look into here.

A complete non-issue.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Yes, they are British too along with Hindus and Muslims.

I don't see any issue with currency notes having animal fat. Nobody is asking them to eat the notes.

Making an issue out of nothing I feel.

They obviously don't eat meat not because it doesn't taste good but because they don't stand for killing of an animal. Now they are being forced in using something that has use of animal meat and probably feel they somehow contribute to it (again forcefully). Not that difficult to understand, absurd why people keep mentioning about eating the note.

 

[big_gamer007]

Can someone explain why would they use animal skin in notes?

 

[Sidilicious]

A bit of lard never killed nobody!

 

[imrankhannsu]

A bit of lard never killed nobody!

It wont kill yes, but it accumulates severe sin for muslims.

 

[Convict]

Activists are way too easy to offend. Be it religious activists, animal activists, feminists or LGBT activists. Nothing to look into here.

A complete non-issue.

Professional activists have nothing to do if they're not offended

 

[Pakistanian]

Then why Sikhs have a reputation of being big drinkers?

 

[Spidy201]

Then why Sikhs have a reputation of being big drinkers?

maybe because many Sikhs don't follow their religion strictly. BTW I have never tasted any alcoholic product & I'm sikh

 

[TSA321]

maybe because many Sikhs don't follow their religion strictly. BTW I have never tasted any alcoholic product & I'm sikh

I thought the rural 'Jatt' Sikhs are known for drinking, whereas the urban Sikhs frown upon it.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

maybe because many Sikhs don't follow their religion strictly. BTW I have never tasted any alcoholic product & I'm sikh

I never really get why so many people are surprised by this. It's like those who are shocked to find that many Muslims drink or have affairs or gamble. People seem to have trouble grasping that not every Muslim, Sikh or Christian is religious.

 

[Spidy201]

I thought the rural 'Jatt' Sikhs are known for drinking, whereas the urban Sikhs frown upon it.

actually it's Culture vs Religion here in Punjab. alcohol and drugs are promoted in Punjabi songs whereas Sikhism prohibits it.
Sikhism oppose caste system but still some people are 'jatt' Sikh and some 'khatri' Sikh

what you have said is true aswell, urban Punjabis are more into Sikhism and hence lesser alcohlics than rural punjab

 

[JaDed]

actually it's Culture vs Religion here in Punjab. alcohol and drugs are promoted in Punjabi songs whereas Sikhism prohibits it.
Sikhism oppose caste system but still some people are 'jatt' Sikh and some 'khatri' Sikh

what you have said is true aswell, urban Punjabis are more into Sikhism and hence lesser alcohlics than rural punjab

I have always had this doubt about meat,seen many Sikhs who are veg and I guess even in gurudwara meat is not allowed but in the Holy book Jhatka meat is the method so that means its allowed?

 

[Pakistanian]

I never really get why so many people are surprised by this. It's like those who are shocked to find that many Muslims drink or have affairs or gamble. People seem to have trouble grasping that not every Muslim, Sikh or Christian is religious.

I genuinely thought it wasn't forbidden in sikhism, pretty much all the sikhs here drink.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I genuinely thought it wasn't forbidden in sikhism, pretty much all the sikhs here drink.

To be fair, there is a difference, with Muslims it's pretty clear cut that alcohol is forbidden and most people know it. With Sikhs there may be confusion as Indian Punjabis are very big drinkers and you will often find lots of alcohol available at their functions like weddings. Religious sikhs tend to be a minority in the UK, at least in areas where they are not well represented. Probably in Southall or London where they dominate it might be different.

 

[Yossarian]

They obviously don't eat meat not because it doesn't taste good but because they don't stand for killing of an animal. Now they are being forced in using something that has use of animal meat and probably feel they somehow contribute to it (again forcefully). Not that difficult to understand, absurd why people keep mentioning about eating the note.

Alcohol or any other intoxicant is strictly prohibited in Sikhism.
there is not much written about meat, but it's never allowed in Gurdware as far as I know..

So what about carrying leather wallets & leather handbags, wearing leather shoes and leather belts?
As for inside the Gurdwara, whilst they may leave the leather shoes at the entrance, do they also take off the leather belts holding up their trousers and, together with their leather wallets and leather handbags, also leave them at the entrance? Just asking.

 

[Spidy201]

I have always had this doubt about meat,seen many Sikhs who are veg and I guess even in gurudwara meat is not allowed but in the Holy book Jhatka meat is the method so that means its allowed?

eating meat is not prohibited in Sikhism, there is no mention of "jhatka" meat or any other meat in holy book of Sikhism, but meat is not served in Gurdwaras.
about jhatka meat, history behind it is very interesting, Mughal emperor banned any other type of meat other than Halal meat and also banned any other flag to be hoisted. in protest of that Sikh decided to eat only jhatka(one strike slaughter) meat and started hoisting Sikh flag in every Gurudwara and these practices are still followed.

 

[JaDed]

eating meat is not prohibited in Sikhism, there is no mention of "jhatka" meat or any other meat in holy book of Sikhism, but meat is not served in Gurdwaras.
about jhatka meat, history behind it is very interesting, Mughal emperor banned any other type of meat other than Halal meat and also banned any other flag to be hoisted. in protest of that Sikh decided to eat only jhatka(one strike slaughter) meat and started hoisting Sikh flag in every Gurudwara and these practices are still followed.

Thanks,that clears a lot coz I have seen most Gyanis being vegetarian hence the confusion.

 

[JaDed]

So what about carrying leather wallets & leather handbags, wearing leather shoes and leather belts?
As for inside the Gurdwara, whilst they may leave the leather shoes at the entrance, do they also take off the leather belts holding up their trousers and, together with their leather wallets and leather handbags, also leave them at the entrance? Just asking.

Most Shiv temples don't allow leather belts,phones,purses in India just saying.So its not a big deal to ban to leather products in our country.

 

[Yossarian]

Most Shiv temples don't allow leather belts,phones,purses in India just saying.So its not a big deal to ban to leather products in our country.

OK. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Spidy201]

So what about carrying leather wallets & leather handbags, wearing leather shoes and leather belts?
As for inside the Gurdwara, whilst they may leave the leather shoes at the entrance, do they also take off the leather belts holding up their trousers and, together with their leather wallets and leather handbags, also leave them at the entrance? Just asking.

meat is not Cooked in langar (community kitchens) in Gurdwaras because there are many vegetarians here and langar means food for everyone hence meat is avoided.
no ruling for leather belts or wallets. one can carry such things in Gurdwaras

 

[Cricfan4eva]

So what about carrying leather wallets & leather handbags, wearing leather shoes and leather belts?
As for inside the Gurdwara, whilst they may leave the leather shoes at the entrance, do they also take off the leather belts holding up their trousers and, together with their leather wallets and leather handbags, also leave them at the entrance? Just asking.

Well if they do that, they don't have any right to complain. Moreover if they are already using leather stuff, I doubt they would be protesting this.

meat is not Cooked in langar (community kitchens) in Gurdwaras because there are many vegetarians here and langar means food for everyone hence meat is avoided.
no ruling for leather belts or wallets. one can carry such things in Gurdwaras

Then why make such a furore over the currency note having animal fat, when they are perfectly alright with people walking in with leather stuff?

 

[Spidy201]

Well if they do that, they don't have any right to complain. Moreover if they are already using leather stuff, I doubt they would be protesting this.



Then why make such a furore over the currency note having animal fat, when they are perfectly alright with people walking in with leather stuff?

I have no problem with that

 

[Yossarian]

Well if they do that, they don't have any right to complain. Moreover if they are already using leather stuff, I doubt they would be protesting this.



Then why make such a furore over the currency note having animal fat, when they are perfectly alright with people walking in with leather stuff?

I guarantee that virtually everyone living in a country such as the UK carries, wears or uses some or other item that is made of leather, or contains animal fat, meat or some other parts of an animal. Which makes it all the more surprising to see £5 notes being singled out due to their minuscule / negligible amounts of animal content.

 

[Muhammad10]

Stay on topic.