Home Ministry reprimands The Star over supplement...

           Fasting is a matter required to be performed by Muslims every year. Fasting means to abstain "completely" from foods, drinks, intimate intercourse and smoking, before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year (El-Ashi n.d). Furthermore, as all people in the country regardless of their races and religious know that, Muslim is seriously preventing their communities from eating the non-halal food. Besides that, Malaysia is one of the countries known as the Islamic countries and because of that every races in this country must respect each other believe. One of many ways to respect each races is not to issue any news or stories that might offend the community (Muslim, Chinese & Indian community). 

            The Star newspaper dated 16^th August 2011 has shocked most of Muslim community with the story of non-halal restaurant together with the story about “buka puasa” in the “Dining Out” supplement and because of that Muslim communities are really angered with Star newspaper regarding the issues. On the other hand, the writer’s of the “Dining Out” supplement is to be blame for including the pork dishes in Ramadan section. Due on this matter, The Star has been summoned due to this article on “Ramadan Delight” will offended Muslim sensitivity. Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has met star editor Datuk Seri Wong Chun Hai for 45 minutes to listen to the action taken by the daily to ensure that there would be no repeat of such errors (Thestar 2011). The Star chief editor should check the article before it published to make sure that the article doesn’t touch any sensitive issues on any races or religious to make sure the harmony and peace of this country. The chief editor of Star newspaper has explain about the issues and Datuk Seri Wong Chun Hai has realise that it was sensitive to the feelings of the various communities in the country and had conveyed the newspaper's apology to all Muslim readers regarding the regrettable oversight (Thestar 2011). People of various cultures should respect and accommodate each other to avoid conflict which could degenerate into genocide (Malik 2011).

Reference list 

El-Ashi, A n.d, Fasting in Islam, viewed 9th June 2012, 

 < http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~muslims/fasting.htm >

Malik, F 2011, Let’s Respect Each Other’s Cultures,viewed 9th June 2012, 

< http://www.themuslimtimes.org/2012/03/africa/lets-respect-each-others-cultures >

Thestaronline 2011, Home Ministry reprimands The Star over supplement, viewed 9th June 2012,

< http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/8/16/nation/20110816224605&sec=nation >