THE Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has confirmed that a 2020 directive banning products put on display from containing non-Islamic festive greetings is no longer in effect.  

Jakim said business outlets with the halal certification are not prohibited from adding greetings to their products, including cakes. 

“Jakim will conduct a review and reevaluation of all matters related to the halal certification procedure manual. 

“Jakim’s statement issued in 2020 is invalidated,” Jakim said in a statement. 

According to the statement issued in December 2020, premises with halal certification were allowed to place festive greetings on products provided the goods were not put on display. 

Jakim said, however, displayed products bearing the halal logo could not bear any such greeting.  

Jakim’s response came after an internal memo of a bakery chain went viral, in which it told staff not to write “Merry Christmas” or “Xmas” greetings on cakes, with the option to give customers a “Seasons Greetings” topper. 

Yesterday, a bakery chain accused of being discriminatory for not allowing Christmas greetings on its cakes said it was merely abiding by Jakim’s rules. 

Berry’s Cake House operations manager Daniel Teoh said the bakery had no choice but to adhere to the ruling or risk losing its halal certificate. 

Teoh said his memo to the bakery’s outlets was meant for internal use, but a staff member had shown it as evidence when confronted by a customer.  

He said Berry’s follows Jakim’s rules strictly and refers to Jakim before releasing any product for sale. 

Religious Affairs Minister Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said there were no restrictions on writing festive greetings on cakes for customers to take home. 

He said he had asked Jakim to clarify the matter. – December 18, 2023.