I usually don't blog about current issues, since they are ephemeral. I'd really hate reading through my blog archive and everything is old news and not worth reading again.
But I'm making an exception this time since it is one of my favourite topics - religion!
Have you seen the cute Doraemon Zodiac stuffed toys sitting pristinely on McDonalds' counters?
Did you notice that the pig was missing?
Instead, in place of the pig was a Cupid Doraemon.
When someone asked the staff why was there no pig in a Straits Times story, their reply was:
" As a halal restaurant, McDonald's could not display or sell Pig soft toys."
This had to be the most ridiculous thing I heard since...I have no idea too (precisely my point).
A very valid point from Sheylara.com, "the dragon should also be omitted out of respect for Christians because dragons are identifed with Satan."
Then maybe even the cow should be be taken out since Hindus worship cows? Who knows, maybe the sight of cute little doraemon wearing something highly resembling cow skin will send them in a roar of fury or crush their fragile, weak hearts?
Atrocious!!!
What does being Halal have to do with a stuffed toy in a pig costume?? According to Wiki, "The term is widely used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law". Being Halal refers to food standards, not stuffed toy standards. Or does a pig doraemon stuffed toy insinuate in any way that we're gonna eat it or something?
Maybe it has nothing to do with being Halal, maybe McDonalds just wishes to respect Muslims? Ok, any Muslim here would be offended by the sight of Doraemon in a pig costume? I'd think not. But if you are, you'd better hurry buy an isolated lil island where Babe (the pig) does not exist and supermarkets there would hide their pork and sell them secretly away from poor Muslim eyes. Seriously? I think this act of "respect" for Muslims has instead portrayed them as awfully narrow-minded and obstinate people. Sheesh.
BESIDES, what about our Chinese culture? McDonalds is soooooooooooo sensitive towards Muslims, then what about us Chinese? They can respect Muslims by taking out the pig but effectively "destroy" the Chinese Zodiac and disrespecting the Chinese at the same time. I have the right to take offense! (but I'm not the type) It's rather weird that when you're the minority people tend to be more sensitive towards you and instead neglect the majority. Dear McDonalds, if you're concerned about Muslims taking offense over a puny little stuffed toy, then DON'T DO THE ZODIAC AT ALL. Do something else...Barbie Doraemon, or Disney Doraemon, or whatever-I-don't-care. Don't defile one culture in the name of respecting another. Sheesh!
Lastly, my condolences for my fellow Chinese born in the year of the pig who might've liked a cute Doraemon stuffed toy in their Zodiac. *pat pat*
4 comments:
My exact sentiments, especially the last paragraph! Haiz... What in the world were they thinking?! :(
I was blowing my top when I discover there's no pig after buying my 1st 2 zodiacs. I feel that they have changed our culture & history just for the sake of another. They should just skip the zodiac idea in the 1st place! I am sure our Malay counterparts are mature enough not to be offended by soft toy pigs(that's everywhere). I really wonder if I should continue to collect them at all. Like what's the point with out the pig???
Why did God create pigs again? I mean, he obviously says they're bad, so I don't get the... ehm.. point?
I certainly didn't feel that our Malay counterparts here are narrow-minded and obstinate people. If they are, then Macdonald should have done away with the Doraemon in Dog costume too. It is just a stuffed toy.
Shouldn't they ban the dog from the series too?
Post a Comment