Non-Muslims who look Malay fear eating in public during Ramadan

WITH the recent slapping incident that went viral, many on social media are now debating the respect of the rights and liberties of certain groups of people in Malaysia.

We all know how the story of the 21-year-old non-Muslim man in Johor Bahru ended. He filed a police report after allegedly being slapped for eating during Ramadan by an elderly man.

The incident, recorded on video, also drew condemnation from National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang. The case is now in the courts.

In Sabah, one resident recently voiced his anxiety about being confronted – or even slapped – for eating in public during fasting hours, forcing him to repeatedly flash his ID to prove he’s not obligated to fast.

Netizens have rallied in support, touched by his ordeal. Many vented frustration at those who harshly judge or loudly shame others for not fasting, noting that faith calls for personal accountability, not public policing.

They stress that religion urges people to mind their own actions, keeping both virtues and flaws discreet, rather than pointing fingers at others.

Another voice chimed in, noting that France, a Western European nation, is pushing to ban the hijab, sparking clear dismay among netizens.

In Malaysia, some argue it’s a Muslim-majority country, so enforcing religious norms makes sense. Yet, this reasoning flips easily: France, being mostly non-Muslim, could justify its stance the same way.

An X user claimed that those with shaky faith are the ones rattled by seeing others not fasting. Yet, a different take suggests this irritation is mostly an older generation thing, while the younger crowd tends to shrug it off. 

- focus malaysia