Q: Are all foods in Makkah and Madinah Halaal? If not then how should one differentiate between halaal and haraam?
A: In view of the constant reports that filter through from people visiting Makka and Madina, as well as some of the reliable residents of these areas, some of the meat sold in supermarkets is extremely doubtful. It is certain that the shops there sell meat imported from Brazil, New Zealand, Canada, and other non Muslim countries. We are not aware what structures the Muslims in these countries have in place to ensure halaal standards. It is therefore waajib to abstain from such meat.
There is available locally slaughtered chicken, referred to as watani. Halaal meat is also available at the local abattoirs. As for the restaurants. we need to find out from them whether their products are local or imported. Don’t ask them whether the meat is halaal or haraam, for this will offend them and fail to elicit a reasonable or valid response. Ask whether they cook Watani or local meat and chicken, or whether the meat is imported.
The above, I think, is the only way we can go about ascertaining which types of meat to eat and to avoid when in the Haramayn Shareefayn
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Mufti Siraj Desai