This is the first of a five part series dwells into several aspects relating to halal including what it means, what is halal certification and why it is important for Muslims in the country to tackle issues relating to halal.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 (Bernama) -- On and off Muslims in the nation are startled by claims that the Halal status for some of the products that they consume were doubtful, and the immediate reaction is Muslim consumers become more circumspect in buying the related products.

Many deliberate on the issue and quick to point fingers at those entrusted with the enforcement of Halal.

However, they fail to reflect on themselves, their Achilles heel in making the right choice when buying.

Previously there has been reports that the halal status of certain bread and sausages, toothpaste and cutleries, were ambiguous. There were also reports that several healthcare products were not halal as the capsules contained gelatin from pigs.

NO ONE QUESTIONS

And when the dust settles down, some of the Muslim consumers go back to their old ways. The concern over halal status wanes and they carry on consuming anything that pleases their palate even at outlets that do not exhibit the halal logo or certificate.

They purchase whatever that attracts their attention without taking the time to read the product label, its contents or the details of the manufacturer.

"When I was studying overseas, I was very careful when purchasing food products. Back in Malaysia, I just buy anything, more over don't tell me that Malaysian products are not halal," replied Nor a private sector employee when asked on her views on halal.

"When it is written halal, then it definitely has to be halal?" noted a makcik who sells sweets and snacks to school children.

Among the makcik's items that is in high demand is the yogurt flavoured coloured powder in elongated plastic packets. The product from the Philippines has the 'halal' word printed on it.

The attitude of Nor and the makcik is probably the reflection of the attitude of a considerable portion of Muslims in the country. Whether they don't know or they don't bother to know, at the end many end up cheated!

MANY SEE IT AS TRIFLE

According to Saimah Mukhtar, the Halal Hub director for the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), it is surprising that at present many find the halal issue a trivial matter.

"In non-Muslim eateries, they just paste the halal label or employ Muslim waitress or cashiers wearing headscarf to entice Muslim customers.

"The same happens when a trader wears a white skull cap, consumers immediately assume that the person is a Muslim and buy from him without any reservation.

"This is the attitude of some Muslims who see issues relating to halal as a trivial matter," she told Bernama in an interview recently.

She also touched on some Muslims who patronise non-Muslim eateries just because of the "pork free" or "alcohol free" labels.

"This is confusing. Just because pork or alcohol is not served it doesn't mean the food there is halal," explained Saimah.

She also pointed out that some Muslim consumers do not give serious consideration to the `thoyiban' aspect like nutrition, cleanliness, quality and safety.

There are also cases of Muslims frequenting non-Muslim eateries just because the food there is tasty but the halal status is ambiguous.

Amri Abdullah, Assistant Director, of the Monitoring and Enforcement branch of Jakim's Halal Hub Division told Bernama that during an operation at an eatery he asked a Muslim customer why he patronises the place, the customer brazenly replied "the food is good ustaz" though fully aware that the restaurant is operated by a non-Muslim.