Not happy over soft toys at McDonald

[Ginchiyo Tachibana]

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Jan 7, 2010

McDonald's takes the charm out of Doraemon series

MCDONALD'S started a Doraemon lucky charm series recently with each lucky charm sold at $2 if one orders a set meal. My two-year-old daughter is a Doraemon fan and can sing the song whenever she sees the cartoon cat. Thinking of getting four Doraemon lucky charms representing the Chinese zodiac signs of my family - Tiger, Rabbit, Pig and Ox - I visited the McDonald's outlet in Tampines Mall on Monday. The idea was to display them during Chinese New Year. After I bought the Tiger and Rabbit lucky charms, I scanned the series and realised one animal was missing from the 12 signs - the Pig. Instead, McDonald's had a Cupid Doraemon. I could understand why Cupid was there as the first day of Chinese New Year happens to be Valentine's Day. But why should the Pig be missing from the series since all other 11 animals (even the mythical dragon) are included? Puzzled, I asked the counter staff. The answer surprised me even more: As a halal restaurant, McDonald's could not display or sell Pig soft toys.

I understand that we need to respect our Muslim citizens as Singapore is a multiracial and multicultural society. Halal food establishments must meet the criteria set by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) to be certified as such. I also understand why some restaurants do not allow dogs on their premises as it may offend Muslim diners. I have Muslim friends and when I invite them for a meal, I make sure I have a halal food option. If I dine with them, I avoid ordering pork dishes too. However, in this case, the Pig is one of the Chinese zodiac signs - part of Chinese culture and customs - and it is just a soft toy, not food. Will the sight of a Doraemon collectible Pig soft toy offend anyone? Was the decision based on a recommendation from Muis? I have given up collecting the lucky charms because my girl was born in the Year of the Pig and she has no 'luck' in getting her Doraemon charm.

Pauline Koh (Ms)

 

[shOUTloud]

This Macdonald's damn cock to give this kind of cock reason. One day when the muslims take over the world, the pig will be replaced by the Mouse Deer leow. knn

 

[Big Sexy]

Miss Koh
it is McDonalds, not McDonald
but overall very good and funny read....

 

[Frankiestine]

Hmmm then why didn't they take out the dog too since Muslims find dogs equally offensive...

 

[Big Sexy]

now tis mcnorna make me bery angry
why cannot have pigs? that day i also see swine in mcnorna wat...Why cannot...:oIo:

 

[Big Sexy]

Terrible man this mcnorana

 

[jimmyfallon]

I see pigs in mcs all the time

 

[Char_Azn]

This is freaking hilarious. First Singpost screws up. Now McD screws up. Who's next

 

[cooleo]

This is freaking hilarious. First Singpost screws up. Now McD screws up. Who's next

Don't like tis leh. Men In White screw up for decades liao, also BO DAI JI!

 

[shOUTloud]

Go to http://www.mcdonalds.com.sg/contactus.html to ask why they dun have the pig in the Doraemon series.

 

[Char_Azn]

Don't like tis leh. Men In White screw up for decades liao, also BO DAI JI!

Got difference. They screw up wont get in the news

 

[annexa]

Got pig soft toy, muslim complain. No pig soft toy, chinese complain. How like that?

Buddhists and Hindus should stop going McD. They serve beef and have the cow soft toy.

 

[Ramseth]

Puzzled, I asked the counter staff. The answer surprised me even more: As a halal restaurant, McDonald's could not display or sell Pig soft toys.

The entire Chinese Zodiac calendar and signs are haram (not halal) to Muslims as unIslamic superstition. MUIS should ban McDonald from any marketing or advertising with reference to it if McDonald wants to retain its halal certificate.

 

[HellAngel]

Their pork burger is the best!!!

 

[Ramseth]

Perhaps that's why in Thai provinces with large Muslim communities, bombs are blowing up...

Their pork burger is the best!!!

 

[HellAngel]

When did Halal is applicable to toy?

BASIC PRINCIPLES

According to the Islamic worldview, all food and drinks can be classified under one of the following categories:

1) Halal

‘Halal’ is an Arabic word which means lawful or allowable. Any food or drink which falls under this category is permitted for consumption. Most food and drinks are considered Halal unless they are stated clearly in the Quran (holy book of Islam) and Hadith (prophetic sayings) as forbidden or non-Halal.

2) Non-Halal

‘Non-Halal’, also traditionally known as ‘Haram’, means unlawful or unallowable. As the name implies, any food or drink which is classified as non-Halal is prohibited for consumption. In general, all harmful things are non-Halal. Examples of these include the meat of dead animals and birds, flesh of swine, intoxicating drugs and alcoholic beverages.

3) Syubhah

Any food or drink which lies within the grey area and does not fall clearly under the Halal or non-Halal category is classified as ‘Syubhah’, alternatively called questionable or dubious.

One example of a Syubhah ingredient is lecithin. Lecithin can be derived from plants or animals. It is considered Halal if the lecithin comes from plants but non-Halal should it come from pigs or animals that are not slaughtered in accordance with the Islamic law.

Until the status becomes clear, Muslims should avoid consuming Syubhah food or drinks. The Prophet (pbuh) has given a guideline concerning Syubhah matters. It is reported by Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Daud, Ibn Majah and Darimi, as follow:

الْحَلاَلُ بَيِّنٌ، وَالْحَرَامُ بَيِّنٌ، وَبَيْنَهُمَا مُشْتَبِهَاتٌ، لاَ يَعْلَمُهَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ. فَمَنِ اتَّقَى الشُّبُهَاتِ اسْتَبْرَأَ لِدِينِهِ وَعِرْضِهِ. وَمَنْ وَقَعَ فِي الشُّبُهَاتِ وَقَعَ فِي الْحَرَامِ...

Which means: What is Halal is clear. And what is Haram is also clear. And in between those two is a dubious area in which many people do not know about. So whoever distanced himself from it, he has acquitted himself (from blame). And those who fall into it, he has fallen into a state of Haram.

http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/services/hal.aspx?id=1706

 

[Ramseth]

When did Halal is applicable to toy?

I understand that some Muslims take halal to be applicable to food (particularly meat and preparation thereof), but some take halal to be all encompassing, and I think quite rightly so in context of Islam teachings on superstitions and images. I respect that but I think that shouldn't impair or impose on others who are non-Muslims. Perhaps there should be a Muslim version of the set without the pig and a Hindu version without the ox?

 

[travelbug]

That is why when you visit Macs in Thailand, HK, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, you need to eat pork burgers. Even the Malaysian Chinese go crazy over it cos they say Mudland no such thing like Spore.

We have become too halalfied such that we cannot have pork dishes for fast food meals anymore. Only Yoshinoya, Jap fast food chain still serve pork.

 

[xebay11]

Mac do sell sausage egg mcMuffins for breakfast?

this sausage is pork?

Nope not pork

 

[Ramseth]

Mac do sell sausage egg mcMuffins for breakfast?

this sausage is pork?

The McDonald breakfast sausage is chicken.