What's next, social media users ask after separate canteens in schools

Christopher Rabin Christopher Rabin Updated 7 years ago · Published on 25 Nov 2018 9:13PM · 9 Comments

Many schools in Malacca now operate a two-canteen policy to cater for Muslims. But the practice has elicited criticism from social media users. – The Malaysian Insight pic, November 25, 2018.

MALAYSIANS of different races took to social media to slam a policy of separate canteens for Muslims and non-Muslim students at several schools in Malacca, with many reminiscing a past they saw as less polarised.

A report by The Malaysian Insight today about the two separate canteens at SMK St Francis in Malacca was shared more than 310 times, with readers ridiculing the practice in a multicultural country like Malaysia.

The canteens were built so that Muslim students and teachers would not need to consume food and use utensils which could be deemed not ‘halal’, as they were in contact with non-Muslims.

“Please segregate the residential area, money, transportation and etc. Totally ridiculous,” Facebook user Tim Mah said.

“Separate currency… Separate the air that we breathe, too. That’s the best way. Also restrict entry to Genting as it’s built using ‘sin’ profits,” said another Facebook user Vincent Chan, referring to the Genting Highlands casino and entertainment resort in Pahang.

Gambling, as is pork, is not permissible in Islam.

However, other social media users took the opportunity to reminisce about their schooling days, when students of all religions could share the same canteen.

Siti Baizura Mohd Noor said sharing canteen space with other races was a norm when she was in school.

“Luckily during my schooling time years back we have no problem sitting together on the school bench and enjoy our meal during break time. We are Malaysians.” she commented on Facebook.

User Aaron Suresh, who claims to be a former student at SMK St Francis, said his school had never tolerated any form of racial discrimination.

“I am a former student from this school, SMK St Francis Institution in Malacca… one thing I can assure you people is that there were NO racism amongst us students as we grew up together here… #franciscan” he commented.

A user by the Facebook name called Wan Mahmud urged people to look past the issue of students eating separately, but said the policy was a form of respect, to allow non-Muslims to eat freely while respecting Muslims’ dietary restrictions.

“Eating separately is nothing if we do not have hate and negative feelings against each other. We can always study and play together without limit.

“Can’t we look at the case positively as respecting others need to practice own religion, instead of saying it is discrimination?” he said.

“We Muslims cannot eat some of non-Muslims food, but we do not stop you, instead we made it separate in respect of your wishes and choices.

“Pls do not initiate racial hatred in Malaysia.

“Diversity means accept and tolerate others in harmony without reducing our own values and beliefs.” – November 25, 2018.

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Comments

  • Now that there are separate canteens, the non-Muslim canteens should be allowed to sell PORK and any kind of non-halal dishes. That would be fair - to you yours, to me mine!

    Posted 7 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply

  • Now that there are separate canteens, the non-Muslim canteens should be allowed to sell PORK and any kind of non-halal dishes. That would be fair - to you yours, to me mine!

    Posted 7 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply

  • One more separate canteen for the Hindus selling no beef .

    Posted 7 years ago by Jacob Hong · Reply

  • One more separate canteen for the Hindus selling no beef .

    Posted 7 years ago by Jacob Hong · Reply

  • All these has got to stop or else the nons will refuse to pay taxes to support the muslim. Lets divide up Malaysia where the nons can live by themselves and the Muslim by themselves and earn their own keeps

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Religion teaches us good n healthy way of life Thank GOD the muslim islam were not authorise by GOD to control the AIR Or else by now islam would hv killed human for using the AIR (OXYGEN) Humanity hv never be seen in islam religion . A TRUE MUSLIM WILL FAST WHILE HIS/Her FRIEND EATS IN FRONT OF HIM/her That is Power of Fasting which we dont see in islam . If u are strong in ur religion u dont hv to close school canteens . The problem with islam is that they are WEAK people so they hv to show off that they are Religious to make their ownself feel good . Other Religions in msia SERVE HUMANITY so they are strong Mentaly n Physically Leave this islam morons aside GOD WILL PUNISH THEM WHEN TIME COMES

    Posted 7 years ago by Tharan Singh · Reply

  • It is ok, folks. As long all students wear black shoes, they are united.

    Posted 7 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • it has come to a stage where i am immune to all this nonsence and accept as it is. withe open arms. eat seperately but dont blame us for all the racial intolerance which is happening now

    Posted 7 years ago by . . · Reply

  • If this is govt policy then non muslims should have their own govt, own local council, own parliament, own tax collection and govt budget, own schools own businesses, own courts, own hospitals, etc. That way no non muslim will come into contact with muslims and everyone will be happy as there will no longer be any tension. This is the ridiculous end game proponents of this policy have failed to see. Is it any wonder that many Malaysian parents dont want to send their kids to public schools. These people are breaking up this country and must be stopped.

    Posted 7 years ago by Michael Raj · Reply