Singapore - A Singapore primary school that insisted only halal food could be eaten or taken into its canteen is reversing the decision after an Education Ministry ruling, news reports said Tuesday. The ministry told The Straits Times that Boon Lay Garen Primary, about 20 per cent of whose 1,700 pupils are Muslim, had made a mistake in creating a "halal zone" and would inform parents it was lifting the ban on other foods.
"Schools will continue to ensure the preservation of common space for all pupils and educate them on the multiracial and multireligious nature of Singapore," a spokesman was quoted as saying.
Principal Wan Imran Woojdy upset non-Muslim parents by sending a letter Friday saying that since the school canteen had been certified halal, children would not be allowed to bring non-halal foods onto the premises.
A school security guard and discipline master had been checking lunch boxes to ensure pupils complied. Halal applies to products that are permissible for consumption by Muslims.
Several parents said the ban on non-halal food amounted to discrimination.
Imran said the school decided to enforce the ban because it had a new canteen contractor and had to get recertified by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.
"Our stalls provide all different types of food - Chinese, Indian, Malay and Western," he said.
After hearing from the ministry, Imran said an error had been made and he regretted the concern caused to parents. Another letter would be sent assuring them that there is no ban on non-halal food, he said.
Source: www.earthtimes.org (5 Februari 2008)
