McDonald's Settles Suit Over Non-Halal Chicken at Dearborn Franchise

A lengthy lawsuit involving a McDonald's franchise in east Dearborn is finally over.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Kathleen Macdonald finalized a $700,000 settlement on Wednesday between McDonald's Corp. and its customers over claims the restaurant, located at 13158 Ford Road, falsely advertised its food as prepared according to Islamic law.

Dearborn Heights resident Ahmed Ahmed filed a lawsuit against the company in 2011, claiming that he bought a chicken sandwich at the restaurant but found it wasn't halal. Islamic law requires that God's name must be invoked before an animal providing meat for consumption is slaughtered.

The settlement was originally finalized in March, but Macdonald extended the public comment period after Dearborn lawyer Majed Moughni filed a complaint, stating he was unfairly barred from participating in the case.

Under the agreement, Ahmed will receive $20,000. While Jaafar & Mahdi Law Group, the Dearborn law firm representing Ahmed will receive roughly $286,941, according to Heritage Newspapers.

Other beneficiaries include the Health Unit on Davison Avenue Inc. (HUDA) in Detroit. HUDA provides free medical, optical and dental services to Muslim families. It will receive $274,000.

The Arab American National Museum in Dearborn will receive roughly $115,559 to expand educational programs for children.

According to USA Today, there are only two McDonald's in the United States that sell halal products, and both are in Dearborn.