SUNRISE, Fla. – Sunrise Commissioner Sheila Alu says she does not practice religious discrimination, but her concerns over one Muslim group's intent to sacrifice animals ended their plans to worship at a Sunrise farm.
Alu raised concerns about the Muslim practice of slaughtering animals when a religious group planned to sacrifice about 100 small lambs and goats in a small farm on the corner of Hiatus Road and 44th Street for Eid on Sunday.
Eid is a Muslim holiday which marks the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
Muslims around the world, including South Florida, celebrate in part by sacrificing goats and lambs. According to some who practice Islam, slaughtering animals is a reminder that life is sacred.
Nezar Hamze, president of the South Florida Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said he had worked with the Muslim group to make sure they received permission from the caretaker of the property.
In an email obtained by Local 10 from Sunrise Police Chief John Brooks, Brooks wrote: "our preliminary research is that this is permissible under religious grounds." Animal sacrifices for religious purposes are protected by state and federal governments.
In a phone interview with Local 10, Alu said the caretaker of the farm might have agreed to the animal sacrifice, but the property owner had not.
Hamze said that Alu pressured the property owner to deny the group access to the land.
The property owner could not be reached for comment.
Alu said she was not acting as a Sunrise commissioner, but as a "concerned citizen who is worried about the animals."
Turns out, by the end of the day Wednesday, Alu and Hamze spoke on the phone to clear up any misunderstandings.
"She had a big heart," Hamze said, "And I know she was not trying to discriminate against us."
Hamze said the Muslim group planned to move their sacrifice to another location in Sunrise, but at an undisclosed location to protect the group's privacy. In a voicemail message to Local 10, Alu said she was glad any sense of controversy was over.
"He knows that I am an animal lover. And I am glad everything worked out," Alu said.