KUALA LUMPUR – School staff and students who do not fast or are unable to, can eat discreetly, away from public spaces, says PAS, as it doubles down on keeping canteens closed during Ramadan.
PAS spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin told Scoop that it is not a question about racial sentiments but a show of respect for the fasting month.
“This has been understood for a long time because Islam is the country’s official religion, according to the Federal Constitution.
“Educating students on this is important. Ramadan should be respected, even if you’re not fasting, you cannot eat openly.”
He added that this is not a sign of disrespect to other races but keeping school canteens open is “too much”.
“I support the statement made by PAS ulama wing chief Datuk Ahmad Yahaya. It is too much to keep canteens open during Ramadan. PAS disagrees with Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s statement of keeping canteens open as usual during the fasting month.”
Meanwhile, National Parent-Teacher Association Consultative Council president Datuk Mohamad Ali Hasan said the operation hours of school canteens should not be made into an issue.
“As civilised Muslims, we should respect each other as non-Muslims need to eat during school hours. For example, a school with few Muslim students needs to take into consideration the wishes of the majority.
“For the majority, they must take into account the views of the minority. That is the way of life in Malaysia,” he told Scoop.
Ahmad had accused the Education Ministry of triggering an “unnecessary polemic” and “wasting time” after Fadhlina ordered public school canteens to remain open during the fasting month of Ramadan.
He also said the closing of school canteens during the fasting month is a norm among citizens as a way of showing respect to fasting Muslims, stressing that non-Muslim students can also “appreciate the importance” of fasting without the practice being forced on them.
However, DAP’s Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan slammed PAS, saying that the party was more interested in dividing Malaysians.
“I urge PAS and PN (Perikatan Nasional) to stop politicising our children’s school canteens. Things like this should not be tainted with their narrow politics,” he said in a statement today. – March 13, 2024