An interfaith advocate has spoken out after a netizen raised concerns about Singapore Airlines\u2019 (SIA) Muslim meals being heated in the same microwave as non-halal meals, calling the complaint \u201cembarrassing\u201d.<\/p>\n
The discussion arose after Threads user @opsieeedaisyyyy, asked in a post on April 20<\/a>: \u201cCabin crew SQ. You all serve pork, but how you heat it up with the halal meal?\u201d <\/p>\n An SIA spokesperson clarified<\/a> that even though the airline offers Muslim meals which are prepared without pork, lard, or alcohol, and sourced from halal-certified suppliers, the meals are not halal-certified as the serviceware used is not segregated by meal type. <\/p>\n Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib, an advocate for diversity and interfaith dialogue, weighed in on the debate in a Facebook post on April 30.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe issue about halal-certified food in SQ flight is unnecessary, and frankly, embarrassing to me as a Muslim,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Mr Imran pointed out the distinction between inclusion and entitlement, saying that SIA providing Muslim meals constitutes inclusivity, but to \u201cdemand the meals be halal-certified\u201d would be entitled behaviour.<\/p>\n He noted that SIA had also stressed that meals are sourced from halal-certified suppliers. \u201cTo further question this is no longer a question of food but one\u2019s attitude and trust,\u201d Mr Imran added, saying that Muslims passengers could \u201cchoose not to partake\u201d if they were in doubt.<\/p>\n Mr Imran also described the call for having separate microwaves for reheating halal and non-halal food \u201cannoyingly puritanical\u201d, \u201cmisplaced\u201d, and \u201cignorant\u201d. <\/p>\n Mr Imran is the founder director of Dialogue Centre<\/a> and vice-chairperson of the Centre For Interfaith Understanding<\/a> \u2014 both are interfaith organisations in Singapore. <\/p>\n Stomp has reached out to Mr Imran for comment. <\/p>\n Mr Imran\u2019s post garnered over 270 shares and 1,700 reactions, as many netizens expressed support for his stance.<\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot live in ethnic or religious bubbles,\u201d one netizen mused, while another pointed out that \u201cconsumption of food is a choice\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe either trust and accept what is being offered in the right spirit or abstain. If we insist on certain certifications, to further prove the authenticity of the meal, then where do we stop?\u201d the user asked.<\/p>\n However, another netizen disagreed, saying that consumers are \u201centitled to pursue what is best for them\u201d and it was \u201creasonable to expect SQ to adopt proper processes and systems\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cMust everything a Muslim ask for be scrutinised? This is a trend?\u201d another asked, to which Mr Imran replied: \u201cnot everything. We only scrutinise unreasonable and frankly, ignorant requests.\u201d<\/p>\n Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Explore more on these topics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\u2018Consumption of food is a choice\u2019: Netizens agree<\/h2>\n
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