Ipoh - The confusion over the `Malay is Muslim` concept needs to be corrected because there is a difference between religion and culural bias, says Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association President (MACMA) Datuk Mustapha Ma.
"Therefore, we cannot equate Islam with being a Malay. All Malays are Muslims under the Federal Constitution, but not all Muslims are Malays. And when we talk about the Malays....that a Malay must be a Muslim, it is not true," he told reporters at MACMA`s 14th annual general meeting held at the Perak Islamic Administration Institute, here Sunday.
He said the confusion over the concept, especially among the Chinese, had caused the community to view conversion to Islam in this country as "masuk Melayu" or becoming a Malay.
"This is our biggest hurdle. When a Chinese converst to Islam, it does not mean that he or she has to forgo his/her surname. I am still using my surname, Ma," he added.
On another note, Mustapha said besides promoting Islam as a universal religion, MACMA was also campaigning to create a situation where "halal food is for all, regardless of race or religion".
"Halal food is not just for Muslims. Besides adhering to the Islamic rulings on food, the food and the preparation must be clean, healthy and also implies fairness and honesty. If you sell coffee, it must be genuine coffee and not adulterated coffee.
"The price must be reasonable and the weight accurate. The halal concept is very embracing," he said.
Mustapha also said that Malaysia must use the variety of its food to promote itself as a halal food haven.
"We have the best variety of food and at the most reasonable price. We can get any cuisine that we want in Malaysia, so we must capitalise on that," he added.
Source: www.bernama.com (29 April 2008)
