wither non muslim’s freedom of choice

usually during christmas, it had been the tradition of some christian homes to have the turkey as christmas thanksgiving dinner. of course those who can’t cook the turkey at home, will go to restaurants or hotels to get to eat the turkey…. but alas, now, if you drop in a restaurant in some hotels, you won’t be able to get a chance to eat the turkey. why? well, the ever religious and oh-so-good-to-take-care-of-the-well being-of-ALL-muslim, JAKIM (malaysian islamic development department) had decided to ban imported turkeys because they are not halal.

so this means christians and other non malays have no chance to eat turkey? whatever happened to the freedom of eating whatever we like? if the turkey is not halal, so just label it ‘non halal’, then muslims will not touch it i’m sure, and at the same time non muslim can get to enjoy the turkey.

why should there be a complete ban when such a move only serve to enshrine on our constitutional rights of freedom of choice? uncle yap, of beritamalaysia lamented that this move signifies ‘the thin end of the oppressive wedge that intrudes into the freedom and choice of non-muslims.’ his weeping for malaysia had been highlighted by lim kit siang.

the partaking of turkey during christmas had never been a tradition in our catholic homes because this is more of a western tradition. (i don’t take turkey anyway!). if other christian families wants to made this as a tradition, fine, it’s their rights, their choice. see, their choice! just because i don’t like turkey and will never eat turkey, doesn’t matter i should prevent others from eating it too.

ok my good people, before any of you start arguing about turkeys and christmas tradition, don’t please! the issue here has nothing to do with turkey, ok. the issue here is about the action of extremists muslims imposing on non muslim’s rights. of course this thing about banning imported turkey is but only one example. as uncle yap lamented:

This country belongs to all of us, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Why, why, why must I (and millions like me) conform to all the religious requirements of the Muslims in more and more aspects of my life???

yes, why indeed? whatever happened to unity and tolerance among all the races/religions? more important, whatever happened to equality for all races? hey, our PM… or was it DPM did mentioned once about treating all as equals, right?

oh dear me! i had been so silly. islam is the official religion and we had so many UMNOputra waving keris and thumping chest that they are the superior race, so how can there be equality?? also, remember one… was it menteri besar, said that there shouldn’t be a bangsa malaysia as with bangsa malaysia means the malay bangsa will be put together with all the other bangsa. remember several malays oppose the setting up of the interfaith council (IFC) on the basis that islam should not be lump together with other religions?

uncle yap, let me join you in weeping for the country.