Between Tacos and Ḥalāl: Exploring Ḥalāl Food Access and Consumption among Muslim Immigrants in Mexico City
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DOI:
10.12730/is.1431775Abstract
Despite increasing Muslim migration to Mexico, little is known about how these immigrants navigate ḥalāl food practices in a predominantly non-Muslim setting. This study applies the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explore how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influence dietary choices. Based on ethnographic fieldwork and interviews with 43 Muslim immigrants in Mexico City, the study reveals that most participants adopt a positively inclined yet contextually flexible stance – motivated by religious belief but shaped by access issues, fiqh-based allowances (e.g., meat of the animals slaughtered by the “People of the Book”), and a desire to engage with local food culture. A smaller group strictly adheres to ḥalāl consumption, driven by strong religious commitment and parental responsibility. Social pressure to conform is generally low but is influenced by internalized family expectations, intercultural household negotiations, and transnational monitoring through digital platforms. Barriers such as high costs, the limited availability of ḥalāl products, and persistent food cravings further affect behavioral control. These findings highlight how Muslim immigrants balance religious commitments with the practical and cultural realities of life within a numerically negligible Muslim minority setting such as Mexico.
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