Thursday, March 13, 2008

School Principal Bans Non-Halal Food In School Canteen; Students to Eat Halal Pork Instead?

Food, Glorious Food: Unfortunately, Religion Loves To Bastardize It

More often than not, Religion loves to enforce its culinary rules upon the secular masses: Hindus, for example, don't eat beef (Sacred cows, according to Mark Twain, do make the best burger), Muslims and Jews frown upon pork as if it is some form of a horror freak show (Quite frankly, I think pork is divine!), and Buddhists just about avoid all forms of meat altogether, preferring to adhere to a strict, miserable diet of leaves and shoots (yes, kind of like a panda bear, minus the dark rings around the eyes).

As far as living things go, the need to feed is a definite given: We need food for sustenance, and some of us, including myself, are food connoisseurs who are not exactly biased about the food we eat, as long as it is edible, succulent and delectable. Nonetheless, I, as well as most secular people, understand that some facets of society love to apply their religious prejudices against certain food sources, and no, we are not usually inclined to debunk their myths and prejudices (Other than a snide remark here and there), unless, of course, some insipid moron decides to apply his religiously-slanted palates upon the common masses, as this addle-brained principal of a government school in Singapore surely did.

School's 'halal zone' ruling causes stir
Parents upset; MOE says school's decision wrong; principal reverses his position By Sandra Davie, Education Correspondent
Feb 5, 2008

A PRIMARY school in Jurong West that upset non-Muslim parents by insisting that only halal food could be eaten or taken into its canteen will now overturn its policy.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) told The Straits Times yesterday that Boon Lay Garden Primary had made a mistake, and would let its pupils' parents know.

In a letter to all parents last Friday, principal Wan Imran Woojdy said that since the school canteen had been certified halal, children would not be allowed to bring non-halal food onto the premises.

The school security guard and discipline master had also been checking lunch boxes since last week to ensure pupils complied.

About 20 per cent of the school's 1,700 pupils are Muslims.

Halal refers to what is permissible for consumption by Muslims. A product is not halal if it contains, for example, pork or alcohol, both forbidden to Muslims. Boon Lay Garden Primary's move to declare its canteen a halal zone left some non-Muslim parents unhappy.

Three who spoke to The Straits Times said they did not mind that the school canteen sold only halal food, but they felt the ban on taking in non-halal food amounted to discrimination.

Madam Esther Chia, 36, who has two daughters in the school, said one of them resorted to hiding a pork floss bun in her pocket last week to avoid being caught for flouting the new rule.

Another parent, Mr Edward Ang, said: 'I have nothing against the school stalls selling only halal food, but they shouldn't restrict kids from eating non-halal food.'

When contacted earlier yesterday, principal Imran said the rule forbidding non-halal food in the canteen had been in place since 2002, when all eight food stalls were certified halal by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis).

He said that the school decided to enforce the rule as it had a new canteen contractor and had to get recertified by Muis.

'We decided to make the whole canteen halal to provide a common eating space for all our children, whatever their race,' he said.

Enforcing Bigotry In The School Canteen

When religious people keep whining about why us secular folks often complain and scoff against their religions, such an incident are stark reminders that if ordinary folks don't wake up and smell the coffee, all too often, religious zealots (And sadly, this time round, it is a school principal) will sneak through just about every tiny crook and cranny to impose their religious laws upon the secularity of government institutions.

In this case, virtually every stall in this particular government school has pandered to the demands of a distinct, Muslim minority by getting their food certified as "halal". While I doubt this has anything to do with political or religious pressuring from school authorities (This, I suspect, is one of the ways stall vendors can earn more money by catering to Muslim children), the principal has nonetheless made use of this paradigm shift to enforce his Syariah-inspired diet upon all and sundry.

And yes, like our good old parochial government, he has the temerity to enforce a ban on non-halal food, a-la "banning the chewing gum" style that has made us the butt of all American jokes: Open your bag kiddo.....holy shit, what the hell is this? Barbecued pork? Be prepared to roast in Allah's hell, kiddo! God hates pork!

By insisting on halal-only food in a school canteen, what kind of a message is the school board sending to the kids? That we are a bigoted Islamic country, where women cannot even be seen in the public eye without a head-to-toe burkha, and crimes are punishable by stoning and amputation? Or is this yet another sinister campaign to sneak more Islamic "values" into our secular system?

Thank goodness, then, that the parents of these kids were disgruntled enough to complain to the Ministry of Education about this errant, bigoted principal. Goodness knows what would happen if they didn't complain: The principal might insist on applying the customary "stoning the disobedient children" on disobedient students.

Halal Pork?

If school authorities in Singapore persist on applying Syariah laws in school canteens, perhaps I might offer a brilliant suggestion for these beleaguered kids who, like me, have a penchant for good ole bacon:


Goodness Me! Its Halal Pork!!!

Remove those stickers from the halal food shelves that sell halal food, and stick them to their pork-filled food packages. That might just elude the nosy school disciple master, or that zanny fundie school principal, from denying the right to eat pork (As if these authorities even have the right to pry into the lunch boxes of kids in the first place!).



-“Pork - no animal is more used for nourishment and none more indispensable in the kitchen; employed either fresh or salt, all is useful, even to its bristles and its blood; it is the superfluous riches of the farmer, and helps to pay the rent of the cottager.”

Alexis Soyer 19th century French chef.

24 Comments:

At 9:29 PM, March 14, 2008, Blogger Gerald said...

"Remove those stickers from the halal food shelves that sell halal food, and stick them to their pork-filled food packages."

I find this suggestion in your post very offensive. And I'm a pork-eating Christian, not a Muslim. You should be ashamed of yourself for writing that, even if it was done in jest.

 
At 2:46 AM, March 15, 2008, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I do sincerely hope that this said principal respects the rights(human) of others. He should know that well over 70% of Singaporeans consume Halal and non halal foods.

 
At 10:09 PM, March 19, 2008, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Gerald, I applaud the Beast for writing that.

If you are a pork-eating Christian that is your problem.

I have a goddamn right to eat whatever I want. In fact I'll feel offended if some extremist shove his moronic religious doctrine down my throat and demand I respect his stupidity just because he has a religion.

Obviously you are not eating enough pork. I recommend pig brain's soup. Good for your brain.

 
At 9:39 PM, May 16, 2008, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I do not want to get into a debate about the medical facts and theological rights about the wrongs of eating the flesh of the swine. Suffice to say that there has to be mutual respect and appreciation for those who refrain from eating and those who want to eat the snoutted vermin.

 
At 3:00 PM, May 29, 2008, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My fellow citizen of the world,

For someone who writes of Atheism and Politics; it is unfortunate that you have no heart nor respect for others, let alone - yourself.

I am absolutely DISGUSTED having read your blog and ashamed to even call you Singaporean. People like you are the cause of the war of mankind and the world.

Why do you complain so much? For a man, you sure go on quite a bit. Or perhaps, you are confused? Do you need help?

Dear Beast, you must be one sad person - with NO LIFE, a really sad job (with measly pay, am i right?), you probably have never stepped out of your HDB Flat to see the rest of the world. And judging the way you write, you ought to ask your pathetic self if people honestly respect and love you for the SAD person that you are. (Hmm, i wonder why?) All you ever do is complain, complain, complain! If you are that intelligent(I'm assuming you think you are), why don't you come up with a solution?

Kindly please note: Before you are to comment and make offensive, non-truthful, derogatory, and absolutely rude judgments and thoughts of other people and religion, please sir - do your research first!!!

Do you have any idea about religion? Before you go on ranting useless information that seriously people do not care what you have to say and would probably laugh at your lack of brain cells; have you ever delved into the many different faiths that people embrace, study faithfully, and respect with all their life?

You, sir, are a laughing stock for your brainless judgments and sheer stupidity and i tell you, the rest of the world spit on thee.

The world will never be perfect and men will continue making mistakes. But... every single day, we can only try to learn from these mistakes and intent to be the greater one and perhaps try to make the world a better place.

It's unfortunate that the principal made a wrong judgment call...But he has made ammends,suffered the consequence and have tried to make things workable, yes?

To err is human, but to forgive is divine...

Please, grow up and move on with life. Surely, there are far better things to do - like focusing on yourself, perhaps?

I suggest you write an apology to those you have wrongfully insulted, especially writing condescending remarks of God and religion. And sir, I suggest you think twice before you use such foul language attached to sensitive issues as such. You never know...you might be really, really sorry one day having said what you did.

May God bless your soul,
Angelica de Lancret.

 
At 12:34 PM, June 14, 2008, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It may make sense that the principle apologies to all the affected students, rather than ordinary citizens who voice their frustruated views. The more people visit this blog the more bad comments it is going to get, probabaly, all outraged comments related to the infingement. Dear Angelica next time keep your comments short, you sound like Shakesphere sister!

 
At 1:01 AM, July 28, 2008, Anonymous Anonymous said...

well,what i have 2say,is that.when there is very serious food shortages,there no shit of halal food.Grab all food 2stay ALIVE. HUMAN INSTINTS.

 
At 7:15 AM, August 01, 2008, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My my...

Now I truly wonder...can we Singaporeans really spell?
"Principle?! Shakesphere?!
HUMAN INSTINTS?!" By the looks of it...the answer is a sad and pathetic - NO.

Well, at least I'd give them a pat on the back for speaking their thoughts...

But seriously guys, next time you might want to use the spell checker before you post your comments.

Angelica de Lancret

 
At 12:53 PM, August 19, 2008, Anonymous Anonymous said...

For your info, the said school had been implementing the halal-only canteen system for many years. It's only when a particular incident happened, did the canteen system came into light.

And as usual by the time the media picked it up, the thing has evolved into a big brouhaha.

 
At 12:09 AM, August 22, 2008, Blogger BEAST FCD said...

Hi Angelica de Lancret

I must agree with you from certain aspects: I am not a typical, follow the govt Singaporean.

Feel free to feel ashamed on my behalf, because on my part I feel that your servile brains have been controlled by the PAP and whichever religion that holds sway for you.

Beast

 
At 12:17 PM, September 28, 2008, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"For someone who writes of Atheism and Politics; it is unfortunate that you have no heart nor respect for others, let alone - yourself.

I am absolutely DISGUSTED having read your blog and ashamed to even call you Singaporean. People like you are the cause of the war of mankind and the world."

Angelica
If im not mistaken..ppl with religion are the ones at war with each other.

 
At 9:48 AM, February 07, 2009, Anonymous Anonymous said...

it sad to know how barbaric some humans can be and i believe that they should be punished

 
At 9:51 AM, February 07, 2009, Anonymous Anonymous said...

um gerald think befoere u say anything and this is our religion not urs so u have no rite toi say to take those stickers of the halal meat and put it on the pork

 
At 7:33 PM, September 25, 2009, Anonymous Anonymous said...

be careful of what u say kiddo..think by using ur brain.

 
At 7:34 PM, September 25, 2009, Anonymous Anonymous said...

watch what u say n write kiddo..use ur brain 2 think.

 
At 7:36 PM, February 28, 2011, Anonymous sam said...

nestizerVery informative blog. I like your blog because of unique content. thanks for sharing such a useful information.

 
At 4:17 PM, October 04, 2011, Anonymous Chiang Lee said...

Human teeth are made up in the format to eat only vegetarian diet. Lion has sharp canine teeth because God has made those animals carnivorous. But human belong to herbivorous category. It is our mistake that we had changed to Omnivorous and that causes so much of diseases.

Vegetarianism can also reduce global warming and problems of climate change.

By

Chiang Lee

 
At 5:08 PM, October 20, 2012, Blogger Unknown said...

Hi,
Groupon Clone is a successive business model in the world, we
can avail great deals through this model, do visit
groupon.comclone.com

 
At 2:31 PM, December 11, 2015, Blogger xumeiqing said...

151212meiqing
151212meiqing
toms outlet
ray ban sunglasses outlet
coach factory outlet
abercrombie & fitch
coach outlet
oakley sunglasses wholesale
swarovski jewelry
air max 95
jordan 11
supra shoes
michael kors outlet online
nike free run
michael kors handbags
michael kors handbags
lebron james shoes
hollister clothing
oakley sunglasses wholesale
michael kors outlet clearance
michael kors outlet
the north face
polo ralph lauren
cheap oakley sunglasses
christian louboutin
the north face jackets
ugg boots clearance
ugg boots
jordan retro
ugg boots sale
air max 90
louis vuitton handbags
polo ralph lauren
oakley sunglasses wholesale
prada outlet
oakley sunglasses
christian louboutin outlet
louis vuitton handbags
canada goose outlet
oakley sunglasses
cheap jordans
mulberry handbags

 
At 8:53 AM, June 30, 2016, Blogger xjd7410@gmail.com said...

louis vuitton outlet
adidas shoes
louis vuitton
michael kors outlet
christian louboutin wedges
louis vuitton handbags
tods outlet
ralph lauren
adidas stan smith
cartier watches
ralph lauren polo
cheap nfl jerseys
jordan 4
toms shoes
polo ralph lauren
coach outlet
kobe shoes 11
adidas originals shoes
hollister outlet
christian louboutin outlet
louis vuitton outlet
coach outlet canada
ed hardy clothing
michael kors handbags
coach outlet
ray ban sunglasses
true religion shorts
nike roshe runs
lebron james shoes 13
coach outlet
jordan 13
ray ban sunglasses outlet
jordan shoes
jordan 11s
gucci outlet
coach factory outlet
cheap jordans
adidas originals
coach factory outlet
tory burch outlet
20166.30chenjinyan

 
At 8:02 PM, May 08, 2017, Blogger Unknown said...

Tranfer school loh. If my children are in that school . I will tranfer them to other school. Coz tis is a gov school not mulism school. If it is a mulism school we have got no right but it is not . Thus principal has the right to set school rules . But we have the right to tranfer our children also . Tranfer to a normal school with non halal food . For example my son can't go without pork . Coz most chinese will prefer pork den chicken i believe .

 
At 7:10 PM, October 10, 2017, Anonymous David Jones said...

We should follow the vegetarianism. As it is easily acceptable by the human body.

 
At 9:37 PM, August 30, 2019, Blogger yanmaneee said...

lebron 11
curry 4 shoes
air max 97
michael kors outlet
coach outlet online
balenciaga trainers
supreme new york
lebron shoes
christian louboutin
goyard handbags

 
At 12:59 AM, June 17, 2020, Blogger yanmaneee said...

golden goose
supreme clothing
supreme new york
air jordan
kyrie shoes
curry 7
supreme outlet
golden goose sneakers
off white x jordan 1
balenciaga

 

Post a Comment

<< Home

Locations of visitors to this page