Malaysian Hindus lament their murukku diplomacy turns awry as halal suspicions keep popping up

 

IMAGINE out of good intention your Hindu colleagues who have just returned from celebrating Deepavali bring with them crunchy murukku to treat their office mates only to be provoked with incessant halal queries/assurances.

Such is the sentiment felt by some Hindu netizens who took to Threads to air their frustration of being perceived as being ignorant or insensitive to Muslim dietary demands.

“No problem asking whether the Deepavali murukku is halal. As non-Muslims, we’re more than happy to answer. If you don’t want to eat it, just say don’t want. Simple,” penned one @2024__target in a post.

“But imagine asking the same question three or four times with a suspicious look on the face as if we’re offering something haram. That’s damn annoying and rude.”

The post elicited interesting responses from likeminded netizens with one declaring that “this is why I’ve long stopped offering all these cookies and murukku to fellow Muslim friends”.

“We’re the ones who’re worried instead. Because once someone asked – even where there’s no non-halal ingredients involved – whether the way of making (murukku) is halal or not. HAHAHAHHAHAHAH. At the time I don’t know whether to laugh or get angry. ” recounted one @_logeswarynancynadarajan_.

One bitten, twice shy

This was when one Muslim seconded the idea by concurring that “better that way by not giving”.

“That said I would have no problem eating as I believe my friends would not give me anything non-halal to consume. Happy Deepavali ,” quipped the open-minded cat lover.

One Chinese commenter shared a somehow similar situation with her so-called “mooncake diplomacy”.

“This is despite the mooncake box clearly bear a Malaysian halal logo,” lamented one @ wuwuwuw01.

“He kept asking with a suspicious face, stared at it (mooncake) 38 times and then put it aside because he didn’t want to eat it. Later on, he teased that I’m stingy for I no longer share food with Muslim colleagues.”

Again, a Muslim came forward to console the commenter that “it’s best to refrain from offering”.

“My friend normally offers me quietly and I accepted quietly also. Just offer to your close friends who’re willing to accompany you eat at a Chinese restaurant (no lard, no pork),” she suggested.

Side-tracking a little, one Kyōka Suigetsu (@xenozus) shared an encounter while he was “having lunch at a Buddhist monastery near KLCC (presumably the Dharma Realm Guan Yin Monastery along Jalan Ampanh) when a Malay customer kept asking the auntie whether every single vegetable dish was halal”.

“I was like, WHAT?!” recalled the commenter. “Even other Malay customers started explaining to her that it’s a vegetarian canteen so they’re obviously not going to mix meat into the dishes. It should be safe enough for Muslims to eat. But she just kept asking anyway.”

This promoted fair-minded Zolkifli Raksyid (@sircarloz) to get into the roots of such mentality among his brethren.

Because it’s the climate they live in. They’re being gaslighted by those online sh*t-stirrers & “terpaling”{ (feeling most entitled) gang for decades without any repercussion and consequences.

Just like tudung, many Malay women don’t bother to wear tudung in the 1970-1980s but constant fear mongering and guilt tripping with their herd mentality has led to this state. Pathetic.

More murukku diplomacy reaction

Back to the murukku diplomacy turning awry, below are some noteworthy reactions from other Threaders:

@diren_981: If I bring murukku and cookies to office and put them on my desk, anyone is welcome to help yourself.

Take it and enjoy it. Don’t ask me if halal or not. If you’ve that question in mind, don’t bother. Consider, I’m not offering to you.”

Rania Ratu (@rania.qveen_): Actually, most Malaysian Indians are aware and sensitive to the halal issue. They themselves don’t eat beef. It’s even rarer to find Indians who consume pork

So if they give offer you murukku or food, there’s no need to have an itchy mouth by querying about halal or haram. Try to put yourself in their shoes when they ask you a similar question (ie if there’s beef in the food you offer them).

They’re sincere to provide for us, so appreciate it. It doesn’t matter if it’s an office colleague or anyone else.

MURUKU IS NOT PREPARED WITH BARBEQUED PORK, MY FRIEND ”

Punjabi Muslim Jai Rihan (@jairihan): I understand Muslims have dietary obligations. Nothing wrong with checking ingredients when genuinely unsure.

But there’s a difference between respectfully asking and making someone feel their homemade festive food is automatically suspicious.

If you’re uncomfortable, politely decline lah. No need to turn someone’s Deepavali generosity into a food certification examination.

Malaysia already has enough drama. Don’t let murukku necessitates the hiring of a lawyer.

Nur Syamimi Hamdan(@syamimiau_): If a non-Muslim offers you food (not pork related) … just take it and thank them.

No need to ask “is it halal?” Halal scanning apps are available out there. If in doubt, don’t eat. Pass the food to other (non-Muslim) friends.” 

- Focus Malaysia