JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A proposal to build a halal meat processing facility on Beach Boulevard is sparking debate in the 904 as Jacksonville city leaders are set to take up the issue this week.

The plan comes from Apna Bazar, an international grocery store that has long supplied the area with halal meat.

Right now, the business relies on a processing plant more than two hours away in Orlando. Managers say a local facility would not only provide fresher meat but also create jobs and meet a critical need for the city’s Muslim community.

“The way they cut it, the way they prepare it, the way they pray on it — it’s very important because they’re giving a blessing to the food,” customer Jaafar Kambar said, stressing why halal preparation matters. He added that the convenience would make a big

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