Auburn launches food truck to appeal to Muslim, Hindu students

AUBURN, Ala. — Dozens of flags line the inside of the student center to represent students from around the globe, and now for the first time, Tiger Dining is representing them too.

Tiger Dining has introduced a new food truck, Ceci, which excited students across the cultural spectrum when it opened Monday.

The newest campus dining option features Middle Eastern cuisine with a menu that’s “From the Near East to Far East,” but that’s not all that makes it distinctive.

The food truck introduced Halal meat to campus to accommodate Muslim students. It also does not serve beef, which makes it Hindu-friendly.

A Halal diet is a religious requirement for Muslims, and is comparable to Jews consuming Kosher foods, said Naved Siddiqui, fifth-year doctoral student in materials engineering.

“In the Halal belief, animals are bled to death during slaughter so the blood does not coagulate and contaminate the meat,” Siddiqui said. “Like Jews, we also don’t eat pork.”

Ellexia Taylor, senior in interdisciplinary studies and president of the Muslim Students’ Association, brought the need for Halal meat to Tiger Dining’s attention.

“The Muslim students on campus didn’t have access to Halal meat and, until now, only had the option of being vegetarian,” Taylor said. “Auburn’s Muslim population is steadily growing, and Ceci gives them the best options to stay healthy and well nourished.”