PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sheikh Undal, Imam from Melrose in the Bronx
2:08:18
·
3 min
Sheikh Undal, an Imam from the Melrose neighborhood in the Bronx, strongly supports Introduction 641, which proposes improved nutritional standards for kids' meals in New York City restaurants. He emphasizes the poor health outcomes in the Bronx and the importance of addressing junk food consumption, especially in communities facing poverty and social insecurities.
- Highlights the Islamic teaching of consuming "tayib" (pure, good, clean, and wholesome) food
- Mentions the Bronx's status as having some of the worst health outcomes in New York state
- Expresses concern about children being drawn to fast food and junk food campaigns, leading to poorer health and reduced quality of life
Sheikh Undal
2:08:18
you.
2:08:19
Greetings to everyone and, chair Shiel, Schulman.
2:08:25
My name is Imam Sheikh Undal and my religious, the
Lynn Schulman
2:08:29
Sorry.
Lynn Schulman
2:08:29
I, sorry.
2:08:30
I messed up the name.
2:08:31
Go ahead.
Sheikh Undal
2:08:33
You missed the name?
Lynn Schulman
2:08:34
Go ahead.
2:08:34
Go ahead.
Sheikh Undal
2:08:35
Alright.
2:08:35
Yes.
2:08:36
My name is, Imam Sheikh, Undal and, from the community from Melrose neighborhood in the Bronx.
2:08:46
Mhmm.
2:08:47
Okay.
2:08:47
Today, I'm speaking to, in a strong support for into 641 initiative, A proposed bill that requires an improved nutritional standard for kids meal at all restaurants in New York City.
2:09:05
As you have heard from others today, the bill will address, a lot of, medical issues, health issues.
2:09:19
The Bronx is the county with many of the worst health outcomes in New York state.
2:09:25
In fact, the South Bronx neighborhoods where is sub, adaroslam are among the worst, the most at risk of health problems with higher rates of obesity and hypertension and the lowest rate of self reported good health in the entire city.
2:09:50
Over there in the community, we struggle with higher rates of poverty and other social insecurities and that's more the reason why forcing first, what we consume, is more important, to avoid, junk food.
2:10:14
So, that's the main reason why we are supporting, this, legislation, to, to pass through.
2:10:24
I hear from, people, children, from the community are drawn to fast food and junk food campaigns exposing them to a part of poorer health and reduced quality of life.
2:10:38
But fortunately, in our Islamic faith we have a teaching, about what foods are permissible, you know it goes further to teach about foods that are called tayib in Arabic and, that word means in English pure food, good food, clean and wholesome.
2:11:06
So, referencing, you know, this part that is, I just mentioned, that could be found in, the holy Quran, Surah 7, 160.
2:11:23
And,
Lynn Schulman
2:11:26
Can you wrap up your testimony, sir?
Sheikh Undal
2:11:29
Okay.
2:11:29
I'm gonna run run up now.
2:11:31
Oh, okay.
2:11:31
For lack of time so I just gonna run it up.
2:11:34
So this is the reason for our strong support for council member Riley's, leadership and the advocacy for the health committee to see this bill through to passage.
2:11:46
As we say in well off, Jerry Jeff.
2:11:48
Thank you very much.
Lynn Schulman
2:11:49
Thank you very much.
Sheikh Undal
2:11:50
Yes.
Lynn Schulman
2:11:51
Emily Wright.
