Streamline procedures and halal guidelines
from different socio-cultural backgrounds and have multifarious needs; and
• No historical narrative of a nation can be complete as in writing one, the historian has to select from the huge bank of political, economic, scientific, technological and sociocultural developments and the people that navigate them.
The politics of today will become the political history tomorrow. In retrospect, historians can be reflective and remove a lot of the immediate emotional context. However, their analyses and interpretation will still contain a fair amount of subjectivity and ambiguity.
So, what is a fair and balanced historical narrative for Malaya and Malaysia that will be acceptable to the protagonists and antagonists in this controversy?
Can they address their unhappiness rationally and unravel the issues involved with a clear conscience?
Let’s face it: We are all biased and prejudiced. This is the nature of humanity and human existence as we handle life’s challenges and grapple with the inequalities we are born with.
How completely equal, fair and balanced can we be if we were homogenous. But, fortunately or unfortunately we are not and never will be.
However, it’s the striving towards balance, fairness and justice that drives us to be better than our fathers and forefathers in some aspects of development. It’s the marvellous education and exposure we enjoy today that should make us more understanding, respectful and knowledgeable about the narratives of our people.
Family groups and communities have their own genealogies, heritage and legacies. These contribute to the historical narratives of the different ethnic groups that coexist harmoniously in Malaysia.
Let’s keep our eyes, ears and minds open. Let’s see, listen and think more deeply. Let’s not brush aside other viewpoints.
The PCORE-UM History Forum themed The Study of History: Its Relevance and Significance, to be held this Saturday at Universiti Malaya, will address some of these issues.
It is hoped that substantive findings are drawn and balanced outcomes are found. The report and recommendations will be submitted to the relevant agencies and stakeholders. THERE is nothing wrong with the term “hot dog” or the “Pretzel dog” sold at Auntie Anne’s.
The term “dog” should not be a reason for the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to refuse the franchise halal certification.
Halal is an Arabic term which means permissible or lawful in Islam. A halal certificate is an assurance that a particular product has been found to conform to the syariah, in terms of permissible foods that Muslims can eat, food preparation, hygiene and cleanliness and not because of the word “dog”.
Auntie Anne’s franchise has been operating in Malaysia since 1996. That is quite a long time, so why is it only now the halal issue has come up?
Also, Auntie Anne’s is a global company with professional standards in marketing its products.
If Jakim is intent on making an issue whether the food sold at Auntie Anne’s are halal, it should also treat other Western outlets which offer similar items, to inspection, whether they are halal or not.
Streamline the procedures and have guidelines, and don’t just zero in on a word and then declare it nonhalal.
To the Malaysian public, let’s be open about the issue. Do not have a closed mind and jump to conclusions. Be rational.