Britain’s First Halal-Only University Flats Handed to Muslim Students, and What They Will Be Used for Has Left Some People Unhappy

A student accommodation company is offering what it describes as fully halal student halls, where pork and alcohol are completely banned from all shared areas. The accommodation is designed to provide a faith-based environment for Muslim students while also welcoming people from other backgrounds who agree to follow the house rules.

ILM Halal Student Halls says it provides rooms and shared facilities that follow Islamic values. Prices start from £165 per week, with students getting an en-suite bedroom and access to shared spaces that are kept free from alcohol. The company says its shared kitchens are strictly halal-only, meaning pork and alcohol are not allowed anywhere in those cooking areas.

According to the company, this policy allows Muslim students to prepare food without worrying about cross-contamination or coming into contact with ingredients that are forbidden under Islamic dietary rules. It also says the alcohol-free environment helps create a quiet, clean and peaceful place where students can study, relax and get a good night’s sleep.

ILM describes itself as the UK’s first Muslim student accommodation provider. Its halls are based in Dundee and are open to students attending the University of Dundee, Abertay University and the University of St Andrews.

Alongside the halal-only kitchens, residents have access to a range of facilities including a dedicated prayer room, a gym, a cinema room and a massage chair. The accommodation has been designed to support both student life and religious practice.

In Islam, the word “halal” means something that is permitted under Islamic law. When it comes to food, halal meat must come from a healthy animal that is slaughtered in a specific way, with the name of Allah recited during the process. Foods and drinks that are considered “haram”, meaning forbidden, include pork and alcohol.

Although the company’s website frequently refers to Muslim students, it says the accommodation is not limited to Muslims. Instead, it says students from all backgrounds are welcome as long as they respect the halal environment and the community rules in place.

The company explains in its frequently asked questions that all communal spaces and kitchens are maintained according to Islamic halal standards. Everyone living in the halls is expected to follow these guidelines to help create a respectful and comfortable living environment for all residents.

Some of the company’s promotional material has also attracted attention. One social media post asks parents, “Is your son leaving home for the first time to start life as a university student?” while another features the owner, Kashif Rashid, describing “brotherhood” as one of the values that represents the accommodation. It is not clear from the available information whether the halls are intended for men only or whether female students can also stay there.