KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has urged the Melaka Islamic Religious Affairs Department to relook the decision of a reported ban on Christmas decorations at halal-certified eateries and hotels.
The Merlimau assemblyman said the halal status of food and beverages is determined entirely by their ingredients and method of preparation, not by festive decorations.
“I want to clarify that whether food and drinks are halal depends 100 per cent on the food and beverages themselves, not on decorations.
“Decorations have no bearing on this,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Dr Akmal said several muftis he consulted agreed that halal status depends solely on the source of the food and how it is prepared, while decorations are unrelated.
Citing an example, he said, if food and beverages are prepared in a church by non-Muslims, but the sources of the ingredients are halal and the preparation is done correctly, the food remains halal.
He also said he had discussed the matter with Religious Affairs Exco Datuk Rahmad Mariman and requested that the Melaka Islamic Religious Department review its decision.
“In my view, it is unfair, because Christmas decorations in the kitchen do not render food and beverages that have been certified halal as haram.
“I hope this matter will be reviewed again,” he said.
The department’s circular reportedly states that Christmas decorations are not allowed in halal-certified hotels or food outlets in Melaka, citing that Christmas is a religious celebration rather than a cultural one.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
