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October 07, 2007
Here We Go Again ~ This Time Feed Him To The Pigs
Muslim inmate sues Missouri jail, claims he was fed pork product
AP
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.
A Muslim inmate is suing a southwest Missouri jail, claiming the facility's administrators violated his religious rights by feeding him sandwiches with a pork product concealed in them.
Odell M. Edwards, who as a Muslim is not allowed to eat pork, filed his lawsuit against the Greene County Justice Center this past week in U.S. District Court in Springfield. Jail officials maintain that the jelly is made with fruit pectin extracted from plants. Pectin is a natural substance that thickens jams and jellies.
The sandwiches in question were served to Edwards and other Muslim inmates during the holy month of Ramadan. Jail Director C.E. Wells said officials consulted with a Muslim spiritual adviser when planning the Ramadan menu, and the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were preapproved.
But Edwards said the jelly in the sandwiches contained gelatin, which is often extracted from pig tissue. He appears to be seeking $250,000 per day for the period in which he was served the jelly.
Edwards, a federal prisoner, is awaiting trial in Springfield on drug charges. He's been an inmate since April 2006.
It's not clear whether the court will dismiss the lawsuit as unfounded - which is what happens to many such cases - or allow it to proceed.
Edwards said in a court filing that jail guards told him on Sept. 12 that his meals contained pork and had for some time. Edwards filed a request for remedy with the jail, asking to see the jelly ingredients and demanding a cultured cook or a dietitian that handled Muslim and pork-free foods.
"I would also like to be compensated for the foul act!" he wrote.
Wells sent a written response to Edwards telling the inmate that the jelly contained fruit pectin and not gelatin.
Wells said Edwards didn't just have a problem with the jelly. In his court filing, the inmate also complained that an overabundance of peanut butter in his diet had led to stomach pain and constipation, Wells said.
"It's sad that your only answer to this problem is an unhealthy amount of peanut butter or don't participate in Ramadan," Edwards wrote. "Again it is my duty and right to share in Ramadan but not to be tricked and bullied by an unhealthy diet!"
Wells said Edwards knew what the special meals for Ramadan would include when he signed up for them.
Ramadan is from Sept. 13 to Oct. 13. During that time, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset each day. They break their fast each evening with a celebratory evening meal.
Wild Thing's comment........
The other day I posted about another prisoner complaining about bacon on his plate, and now this. Personally, any prisoner should be feed whatever the prison serves as food as long it meets the daily requirements for nutrition. Eat whatever is served or starve......your choice you idiot Mooselimb. Or stay out of prison and you can eat all the moon god restricted food you want.
Posted by Wild Thing at October 7, 2007 12:48 AM
Comments
"Muslim inmate sues Missouri jail, claims he was fed pork product"
Gads! Ask me if I give a Shiite!
Posted by: SSgt Steve USMC at October 7, 2007 06:29 AM
In our state the islamo inmates want the crosses out of our prison chapels too!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at October 7, 2007 06:33 AM
They consult a Muslim spiritual adviser? What the hell is this, a jail or a hotel?
They should feed these products of inferior breeding bread and water.
Posted by: BobF at October 7, 2007 08:01 AM
SSgt Steve USMC, LOL isn't it something.
I always thought when a person went to jail the jail people LOL were the ones to run the place not the prisoners.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 7, 2007 10:50 AM
Darth oh my gosh, this is just not going to stop. It is insane.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 7, 2007 10:51 AM
Bob, I guess our prisons are the new version of the Hilton for cave dwellers.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 7, 2007 10:52 AM
In the end times, what is good will be bad and what's bad will be good. My faith gets me through these dark and dispicable secular times... Thank GOD! JOHN 15:13 and LUKE 1:37
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at October 8, 2007 12:59 AM
