Eating animals slaughtered in countries where Muslims, Christians, and pagans mix

A: If a Muslim happens to live side by side with the People of the Book, pagans, and ignorant Muslims whom he doubts whether they pronounce the Name of Allah upon slaughtering their animals, it is prohibited for him to consume the meat of these animals. The reason being that the basic principle in the Shari`ah (Islamic Law) is that it is forbidden to eat the meat of cattle or any animals which are Islamically lawful to consume unless they are Islamically slaughtered. (Part No. 22; Page No. 451) Because the questioner doubts the manner in which these animals are slaughtered due to having a mixture of slaughterers who hold different belief-systems, it is forbidden for him to eat the meat of the animals slaughtered by them.A Muslim may, however, eat the meat of animals which he is able to distinguish as having been slaughtered by Muslims or the People of the Book or which he does not know whether they pronounced the Name of Allah upon slaughtering.A Muslim should be concerned with every aspect of his religion and should be keen on knowing the lawfulness of what he eats, drinks, or wears. In similar cases, it is preferable for those who follow the Prophet's methodology to choose trusted slaughterers so that they will not doubt the lawfulness of the meat they consume.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.