Muslims Can’t Dine In During Ramadan, Says Notice Posted Up At A Mekdi

The notice was widely discussed on Malaysian social media with many people sharing their opinions.

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The beautiful month of Ramadan has begun. This is the month of fasting, worship, and charity for Muslims all over the world.

Here in Malaysia, not only is this the month that brings the country together, we also have Ramadan bazaars in every corner of the country which are favourite of many.

But together with joys, this month also brings certain rules for the Muslim people in the community to follow. One of them being that they are not allowed to eat in public during the fasting period.

In regards to this, a post was shared by Twitter user @shamhardy which showed an announcement from a McDonald’s fast food chain which states that Muslims are not permitted to dine-in at the fast food chain during the fasting hours.

According to the Section 15(b) of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997 selling any food or drink to any Muslim is liable to a fine not exceeding RM 2000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to both.

The people have also shared their opinions on the matter, and many seem to be not on board with the law.

Fasting should be something done on ones own will. Enforcement just makes a mockery of the intention
— TJ (@tj_wong) March 23, 2023

Sorry, sejak 1997 ke larangan ni?
Macam teringat tak lama dulu saya masuk bersama anak2 yg lapar ke McD Subang Parade.
Ada another family pun sama, Mak Ayah teman anak2 kecil makan.
Should be circa 201+ ish rasanya sebab diaorang dah mula sekolah sekarang.
This is weird to me.
— Shahrul Hafeez Seman (@ShahHafiz3103) March 23, 2023

While some are asking why make such a big deal out of it.

Dh knp nk triggered?elokla x blh mkn dlm premis.its not close the whole day.klu kau nk mkn,mkn la kt rumh.xde rumh ke nk mkan?xpun mkn dlm kereta.masalh betul semua bnde nk dipolitik dan nk triggered.
— farahin (@ain_humairah89) March 23, 2023

Why would this be a big deal? If you're not fasting you can just eat at home, or if you want mcd so bad just go there at night or thru delivery
— uᴉᴉqoʇ (@tobiin) March 23, 2023

However, according to a report by Malay Mail, the offence of disrespecting Ramadan by providing food to Muslims for immediate consumption during fasting hours solely pertains to Muslim individuals, according to Fahri Azzat, a lawyer who practises both civil law and Shariah law.

Based on the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997, which is the state Islamic law applicable to the federal territories, he claimed that the law did not apply to corporations because Section 1(2) states that it applies to people who profess the religion of Islam and that only natural persons are permitted to do so.

The Act “shall apply only to those professing the religion of Islam,” according to Section 1(2)(b), whereas Section 1(2)(a) states that it only applies to the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya.