Kyoto Univ cafeteria to start providing Islamic food

Tuesday 06th October, 07:03 AM JST

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urufuls at 06:24 AM JST - 7th October

That's a very nice gesture. Way to go Kyoto Uni.
random92 at 07:30 AM JST - 7th October

Halal food, of course, is only the beginning. Next, they´ll demand footwash bassins, lecture plans scheduled around muslim prayer times, special hours for muslim women in the pool and gym, and so so on....

And what's wrong with that? You obviously don't like us, which is why you say we demand these accommodations. This isn't the case, and we're very grateful for any extras provided at work or school. Most Muslims in foreign countries are productive citizens and adhere to the laws, and likewise will follow the laws of their own faith. If we have to have messy schedules to squeeze in prayers or avoid the gym if there's no sex separation, then that's how it is.

Bottom-line is, this school is offering up some special food for a growing minority which is sure to make their lives a bit easier. So what if there are a lot of places in the Muslim world lagging behind in hospitality? There are just as many that cater very well to outsiders of different faiths. But that's not what this is about (to you lot bringing this up). Turn off the telly and quit the ignorance.

Osakadaz: For majority of Muslims, all seafood is OK, and there's nothing special to slaughtering beyond the proper way of going about it. No "blessing" from an imam.
farhaan at 07:58 AM JST - 7th October

HALAL, ISLAM AND MUSLIMS IN JAPAN

HALAAL : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halal

HARAAM : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haraam

Let me tell you people who don't know about it.

There is lot of Muslims in Japan (Myself Muslim) and there is many Muslim students in all major universities of Japan. There is many Mosques all over Japan and numbers are growing. Even all universities in Japan provides prayer hall for Muslims. On Fridays Japanese companies and universities gives additional 1 hour lunch break time for Friday prayers.

About food, Muslims never eat or drink anything which contains even a traces of anything Haraam (Haram=forbidden in Islam) and in Japan all restaurants and almost all products contains something which make it Haraam and we rarely find a consumer product which is Halaal. Even to buy a bread or something like this first we have to check it if it contains any haraam thing. when we are not sure we call to that product's company to confirm it and these days many of the Japanese companies knows about Halaal so they immediately answer on phone if it containts any haraam thing or if a Muslim can eat/drink it without worrying. Therefore companies like MEIJI and Pasco is trying not to use Haraam contents in its major products. Halaal food and meat we buy only from Halaal food stores.

That's why this is a great news for Muslims.

As a result Japanese is very cooperative with Muslims.
Pukey2 at 08:17 AM JST - 7th October

farhaan:

Good news for you, indeed. Now can you help us vegetarians, too, to get decent food? Japan can be hell for some of us in terms of vegetarian food.
farhaan at 08:41 AM JST - 7th October

Good news for you, indeed. Now can you help us vegetarians, too, to get decent food? Japan can be hell for some of us in terms of vegetarian food.

Asking for vegatarian is much more easier than explaining about halaal.
nedinjapan at 11:39 AM JST - 7th October

Halal food is made in such silly ways! For example, a machine is cutting down the heads of hundreds of chickens while a tape of Quran is played! There you have your Halal chiken! Unbelievable how a religion can make obsessive-compulsive disorders the norm of a community!
nedinjapan at 01:30 PM JST - 7th October

With so many similarities between Halal and Kosher food, I suggest they use a common sign in the cafeteria of "Halal-Kosher" food. Could be more apealing :-) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IslamicandJewishdietarylaws_compared
Everton2 at 02:08 PM JST - 7th October

I was trying to be diplomatic in my last post, but now I have decided to go blunt and say that Iranian food is just plain crap. I am sure any God would want the disciples to eat what is good for them. It should be Japanese food which is without a doubt the healthiest
saeiry at 02:26 PM JST - 7th October

Can I claim pork and beer in a Muslim country university?
nandakandamanda at 02:44 PM JST - 7th October

Bottom line, economics at work.

There are more Muslim students in the market, and educated, wealthy Muslims tend to have a good reputation for diligence and hard work.

Japanese universities, being in a fierce fight for survival, are constantly looking at new ways to improve their attractiveness, in order to bring in new students and new cash. (IMHO)
nedinjapan at 02:49 PM JST - 7th October

saeiry: Depends on the country. In many muslim majority countries, they are avilable and supposedly muslims have them too, but a few Arab countries are quite strict on it. I met Muslims from former soviet union states who loved Vodka!
WilliB at 12:44 PM JST - 8th October

saeiry:

*" Can I claim pork and beer in a Muslim country university? " *

It depends on how muslim the country is. In a Shariah country, no way; not as long long as any muslims are in the vicinity, who would be invariably offended by your dirty kuffar food.
WilliB at 12:46 PM JST - 8th October

nedinjapan:

" With so many similarities between Halal and Kosher food, I suggest they use a common sign in the cafeteria of "Halal-Kosher" food. "

It would make sense, but it would offend the muslims. Note that the Jews are not clamouring to have the host country to adjust to their religious dictates.
Delarapier at 01:40 PM JST - 9th October

Nothing wrong with accomodating other cultures.
thomyorke at 04:54 PM JST - 9th October

I was suprised at the amount of negative reactions to this article.
Anything that Japan does to make itself more accomodating to foreigners should be praised, especially by us gaijin. Islamic culture is backwards in many ways, but that has nothing to do with this article about a Japanese university trying to help out some foreigners.