No halal cert with Xmas wording? Minister clarifies messages fine as long as not for display
Festive wishes are allowed on a product if it is produced not to be displayed on the premise that has been certified halal. — Reuters
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 — Halal-certified bakeries are not prohibited from taking orders meant for non-Islamic religious celebration provided that the products are not displayed in the premises, minister Datuk Zulkifli Mohamad clarified today.
Responding to a report over a shop that allegedly refused a customer’s order to have a cake decorated with the wish “Merry Christmas”, the minister in charge of religious affairs said such a message is allowed contrary to the report — provided that it is not for display.
“Any festive wishes is allowed on a product if it is produced not to be displayed on the premise that has been certified halal or on a product with the halal logo,” Zulkifli wrote on his Twitter account.
“There are no specific prohibitions for other religious celebrations other than Islam in the Manual Procedure for Halal Certification (Domestic) 2020.”
“To put it simply if shop B with a Jakim halal certificate bakes a cake with a religious celebration wish for display then it is not allowed, but if shop B had prepared the cake that was ordered by A that has a religious celebration wish it is permitted,” he added.
MalaysiaNow reported that a customer was shocked when he received a cake with “Happy Holidays” when he had requested that it be decorated with the wish “Merry Christmas.”
The report said the store had refused so since in the process of getting a halal certificate, and then quoted an anonymous officer with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) claiming that the halal logo issued by the Halal Management System cannot be used to promote other religions.
Jakim, the federal Islamic affairs department, is the sole authority for all matters related to halal certification.
Zulkifli said Jakim representatives have contacted the MalaysiaNow journalist to explain.
He expressed hope that his explanation would end the controversy. In his concluding tweet, he wished Christians peace and good health.
“I hope my explanation can diffuse any misunderstanding,” he wrote.
“I hope followers of the Christian faith in Malaysia are blessed with peace, good health, happiness and prosperity in the years to come,” he said.
Responding to a report over a shop that allegedly refused a customer’s order to have a cake decorated with the wish “Merry Christmas”, the minister in charge of religious affairs said such a message is allowed contrary to the report — provided that it is not for display.
“Any festive wishes is allowed on a product if it is produced not to be displayed on the premise that has been certified halal or on a product with the halal logo,” Zulkifli wrote on his Twitter account.
“There are no specific prohibitions for other religious celebrations other than Islam in the Manual Procedure for Halal Certification (Domestic) 2020.”
“To put it simply if shop B with a Jakim halal certificate bakes a cake with a religious celebration wish for display then it is not allowed, but if shop B had prepared the cake that was ordered by A that has a religious celebration wish it is permitted,” he added.
MalaysiaNow reported that a customer was shocked when he received a cake with “Happy Holidays” when he had requested that it be decorated with the wish “Merry Christmas.”
The report said the store had refused so since in the process of getting a halal certificate, and then quoted an anonymous officer with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) claiming that the halal logo issued by the Halal Management System cannot be used to promote other religions.
Jakim, the federal Islamic affairs department, is the sole authority for all matters related to halal certification.
Zulkifli said Jakim representatives have contacted the MalaysiaNow journalist to explain.
He expressed hope that his explanation would end the controversy. In his concluding tweet, he wished Christians peace and good health.
“I hope my explanation can diffuse any misunderstanding,” he wrote.
“I hope followers of the Christian faith in Malaysia are blessed with peace, good health, happiness and prosperity in the years to come,” he said.
Why and What is JAKIM so scared of, that it prohibits halal-certified shops from displaying any product-goods with a message from/of other religions?
Remember, halal-certification ONLY means the product-goods have been made with bono fide halal ingredients and in accordance with halal processes (including sembelih-ing). It has NOTHING to do with promotion of Islam nor that of other religions. Promotion of religions are the preserves of the cleric and their acolytes, and not (in this case being discussed) of a bakery.
AGAIN I ask, why and what is JAKIM so scared of, that requires it to put unnecessary obstacles, hurdles and barriers in commerce in a multiracial society which has already recognises and accepts Islam as the nation's official religion? Indeed, 'unnecessary' because your eff-ups have now dictated none other than the Minister of Religion to step forth to clarify your 'unnecessary' created confusion and resentment.
YES, why and what is JAKIM so scared of the words 'Merry Christmas', when their Majesties, DYMM the Agong and DYMM the Queen, and YAB the PM, have all publicly wish all Malaysian Christians a Merry Christmas?
Dei, apa takut lah? & a Merry Christmas to you Ustaz's.
This religion does things to your brain....
ReplyDeleteEvery country is trying to find a vaccine, Malaysia is trying to find the pig in every vaccine.
ReplyDeleteagain, very unislamic view from the host.
ReplyDeleteHow the F* does the words "Merry Chrstmas" - not a Christian prayer, have anything to do with the Halal status of a food outlet ?
ReplyDeleteA bunch of idiots running the show.
The words "Merry Christmas" on a halal cake might confuse Muslims into thinking that Christ was a Muslim prophet or something. But hang on, wasn't He....?
ReplyDeleteOnly in Malaysia is the cross so frightening to the muslims that it must be kept out of sight - like how dracula is struck with fear when facing the cross.
ReplyDeleteSo, I am not surprised with the latest Jakim antics.
The malay/muslims will always be "protected" from the "evils and influences" of other religions that the muslims are becoming afraid of their own shadow.
These malay/muslims will always remain stunted and will not be able to reason and forever be like the "katak dibawah tempurung"
they manufacture the scare how can they be afraid of it, the only thing they are scared of is when their political master deny them their massive allocation
ReplyDeletemalaysia bolih, gostan
Most of jakim officers are ustads/ustazahs and the like. Their worldview are stunted. They can only see within their own confines and nothing else. They cannot see the bigger picture of things. To say they are stupid is a bit over statement but some of their actions can be considered as borderline stupid.
ReplyDelete