JANUARY 25 — Recently we have our first halal airline Riyani Air whose pretty air hostesses are draped in tudungs and uniforms that cover most parts of the body.
And since it is halal, the stewardess’ uniform shouldn’t be the only that must meet the halal requirements. If you were to fly Riyani Air some day, be sure you don’t ask for liquors to be served.
Perhaps a prayer has to be said just before takeoff!
And now, we also want to have trolleys that are halal certified. So, pick the right one the next time you visit a hypermarket.
The problem is, how is the business owner going to tell whether a customer is a Muslim or non-Muslim?
What if I use the wrong trolley? Do I have to pay additional 5% for trolley cleaning? Now that we have non-halal trolleys, does it mean our pet dogs can take a ride in one of them?
These questions need to be hammered out by supermarket operators and the religious department.
Of course, I have full respect for halal airline and halal trolleys. This is part of their religious belief. To be honest, these requirements are optional in nature, at least for the time being although I’m not sure whether it will be made compulsory some time in future.
Even as the owners of the airline and hypermarket go halal on their own accord, not under any pressure, I have a feeling very soon the authorities will suggest to inscribe halal/non-halal trolley regulations on business licenses.
By the way, these two bosses are non-Muslims themselves, one Indian and another Chinese. I am pretty certain they are doing this not to promote the Islamic faith.
This is just a way of doing business, trying to win the favor of Muslim customers. Their biggest concern is to get more customers and make more money. Period.
As the Malay community becomes increasingly attached to its religious affiliation, the demand of halal certification will only get stronger by the day. To sharp-witted businessmen, all that they smell is business opportunity.
Sure enough I also feel concerned whether this will set a precedent for complete segregation of everything into halal and non-halal sections, such as halal buses, taxis, cash counters, cinema seats and pedestrian walkways. In short, anything must be either halal or non-halal.
Who knows one day our malls will have separate halal and non-halal sections? The same goes for cinemas, schools, government departments, election candidates and what not.
Perhaps the entire country will be divided into two halves. Halal this side, non-halal that side.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
