As soon as a new mainstream restaurant opens and it plans to serve halal meat, there is always going to be some sort of controversy.

Take for instance the KFC in one North West town that went halal some years ago. What happened next could well make a great episode of some comedy sitcom.

First of all the KFC came under for going halal by a bunch of right-wing nutters, some of whom who decided to protest, yes protest outside the restaurant because they saw it as an ‘islamification’ of the UK. Does halal meat really taste that difference? No, it means they are taking over the country!

Amazingly, these guys turned outside this KFC for a number of days with anti-halal banners.

Then, KFC found there were group of Muslims who were unhappy that KFC served stunned chicken and this could not be classed as halal. KFC probably decided this was far too much hassle and now don’t serve halal chicken at this restaurant anymore.

And now, we have the case of Nando’s. Nando’s serves halal chicken at the Trafford Centre Restaurant and the one based at Deepdale Retail Park. Both are frequented by Muslims from across the region.

Nando’s openly state on their website how and where their meat is sourced. Here’s what Nando’s say, “Our Halal chickens are supplied to us by Freemans of Newent. They are authorised by the Islamic institute of Jurisprudence and are one of the UK’s leading suppliers of Halal chicken.

“We are committed to the highest standards and therefore the quality, welfare and health of our chicken is a priority. We ensure that Freemans of Newent follow the strict Red Tractor Farm Assurance Standards.

“All our chickens are indoor-reared. They are pre-stunned which minimises suffering and fear.

“The method used is a high frequency low voltage stun – this means the chicken is still alive, but unconscious when it is hand slaughtered and blessed by licensed Muslim slaughter men. Their slaughter process is overseen by Mr. Ali Bham who has been a practicing Muslim slaughter man for over 20 years.

“Our Halal and non-Halal chicken products are never mixed at our suppliers and are clearly segregated in our distribution centre. Our restaurants are authorised only to receive poultry from our approved distribution centre.”

So, what do you think was the first thing that happened when it is announced a new Nando's may open near you. You have an odd text going out already saying even it is classed as halal it won’t be halal.

But when asked directly they won’t openly state that ALL stunned meat is haram. Use of the ‘haram’ word is not something that is in the vocabulary.

The thing with the halal meat argument it is easy to dissuade people by simply alluring to a level of doubt in people’s minds. People just need to think it is not halal and that is enough.

And halal certification bodies know this.

The other big problem you have with the whole argument is that it is quite easy to argue about halal and haram when it comes to food but when it comes to other specific issues concerning the Muslim community the very same people are embarrassingly silent.

It is as if the halal and haram issue becomes the benchmark for one's 'Muslimness'.

The issue here is also about choice. It is up to the individual if he or she wants to eat from any of the restaurants or not. People are already aware of the argument but what they want is choice.

When one sees queues at the Trafford Centre Nando's are we to suggest all these people are eating haram meat? Of course not.

But then you won't see anyone saying that.