Think McDonald’s, think great times with great company over great food. Whether it be the fluffy-as-a-cloud buns on the Filet-O-Fish or crispy Chicken McNuggets, McDonald’s sure brings back a lot of good old memories. We particularly remember the time back when we were in university, slaving through revisions with our course-mates into the deep of the night, over a shared tray of fries and ice cream at the nearest McDonald’s restaurant we could find because our study room at the uni has no air-conditioning. Good times indeed, good times.
Naturally, we were perplexed to hear that McDonald’s has been the constant subject of rumours regarding its Halal status in Malaysia. While we appreciate the utmost significance of the Halal recognition to the Muslim community in this multicultural country, we’ve never for a second had any doubts that the restaurant was anything but Halal.
Look delicious right? Photo courtesy from http://khairulryezal.blogspot.my/2016/01/jakim-iktiraf-mcdonalds-malaysia-halal.html#D5QM3GIrLj4AHqrD.99
As far as we can see, it is obvious that McDonald’s takes its Halal recognition very seriously from its products, from its very processes right up to when it is served over the counter. In fact, McDonald’s Malaysia has been vetted through and certified by the Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) as being completely compliant to Syariah requirements.
To cut to the chase, there really isn’t any doubt that McDonald’s Malaysia is 100% Halal. Of course, no fair story can be complete without some research. Imagine our surprise when we stumbled upon a couple of stories highlighting McDonald’s products that have been questioned before – from its coffee to its sauces. But thanks to the Internet, the truth to any story is but yet another click away. Not only were these accusations fabricated from hearsay and malicious slander, they’ve been repeatedly raised again and again over the years without anyone bothering to fact check even though they’ve been debunked by JAKIM.
McDonald’s in Madinah, photo courtesy from http://khairulryezal.blogspot.my/2016/01/mcdonalds-di-madinah-negara-timur.html#JAeb1Avoc0KHfB4L.99
In addition to that, we are well aware that the Halal recognition awarded by JAKIM goes beyond just the source and preparation of the food itself, lending its influence to the entire process – from the kitchen to the utensils and down to the hygiene and health of the food handlers.
That McDonald’s Malaysia has consistently had its Halal recognition renewed every single time lends a certain credence to how much this recognition means to the restaurant as well as its customers. In fact, McDonald’s is the first quick service restaurant in Malaysia to be awarded the Halal recognition back in the early nineties and in 2013 further set up an Internal Halal Committee comprising members representing the Board of Directors, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Operations, Human Resources and Marketing. Two external Islamic experts are also engaged as Syariah Advisors.
At the end of the day, we are completely certain that McDonald’s restaurants in Malaysia are without a doubt Halal. I mean, would McDonald’s be able to boast a long standing presence in the Holy Land of Madinah if otherwise? If you, like us are curious to find out more about this issue, we suggest you go through the following links:
- JAKIM Iktiraf McDonald’s Malaysia Halal Dan Bersih, Cucu Tok Selampit
- Negara Islam Di Dunia Juga Iktiraf Penyedia Makanan McDonald’s, Post Metro
- Pensijilan Halal. Nak Ragu Apa lagi?, Dari Kacamata Rakyat
- McDonald’s Malaysia amal konsep Halalan Tayyiban, Suara Lensa
- Rangkaian McDonald’s Mematuhi Syarat Halal 100% Oleh JAKIM…Mencari Halal Itu Fardhu!, Harapan Esok
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