FORMER religious affairs minister Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri has clarified that Muslims are allowed to consume food prepared in gurdwaras. 

“Sikhs follow a vegetarian diet and this means they do not eat meat.  

“The law for Muslims who eat food prepared by non-Muslims, who are not members of the book, is permissible, as long as it does not include meat they slaughter,” he said in a Facebook post today after visiting the Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya (GSPJ). 

Zulkifli said this after some had questioned the halal status of the food prepared and delivered from the gurdwara. 

Since Saturday, the Sikh temple was the centre of public attention as they focused on preparing free meals for flood victims in the Klang Valley and also in other states. 

Thousands of Malaysians of all races and religion, have been thronging the gurdwara to volunteer and help with the flood relief work. This includes Muslim volunteers.  

Meanwhile, Zulkifli, who was invited to GSPJ, also said he was impressed with the coordination and efficiency of the work done at the gurdwara. 

“I was taken to inspect the process of preparing food for flood victims from the kitchen to the packing table. Very clean and tidy.  

“Daily delivery is also very fast with the help of 20 pickup trucks around Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and even Pahang.  

“I’m very touched by their cooperation, who are tirelessly helping, just expressing a very extraordinary helping spirit.

“I’m also impressed to see everything is organised and complete with documentation. This is very important to ensure integrity and professionalism,” he added in his post.  

Zulkifli also extended a donation to the gurdwara on behalf of the Muslim Council of Elders Malaysia and the AL-Makrifah surau in Negri Sembilan, for them to continue aiding flood victims. 

People who need food are encouraged to contact the GSPJ Flood Foodbank at 010-217-4556.
To contribute to the GSPJ flood relief foodbank, funds can be transferred to the following account: GSPJ Welfare Fund, Maybank account: 514169141318. – December 22, 2021.