Was that beer being served during The 6th Malaysia International Halal Showcase?
People in attendence saw several drink products that were bottled and canned to resemble Beer and similar Alcoholic products at this year’s event.
As the bottles of fake beer were hoisted up to awaiting mouths and sparkling (imitation champagne) was being sipped one has to ask the question:
Who are we as Muslims trying to emulate and why?
Although we are instructed not to consume alcohol; it seems that our mad rush to try these imitation products is our way of saying “Now we fit in”.
While one would almost expect that Muslims would take a some what wide berth a way from these display booths; the opposite was in fact the case. Some Muslims were reaching for samples as if they were reaching for a long lost friend.
So the question that begs to be asked is:
Why do we (Muslims) desire products that look like items that are forbidden to us?
It is much like a person who becomes a vegetarian and yet asks for a vegetarian hamburger. Who is being deceived here?
Is there a secret desire that is being fulfilled when imitation items resembling forbidden items are consumed?
If so…one would have to wonder what would happen, if someone someday offered “Halal Pork”!
Now, if perception is reality; how do non Muslims view us when we are seen drinking out of these cans and bottles?
As far as they know; Muslims are consuming alcohol…Period!
Beyond that; what is the possible social implication associated with these products?
Let’s look at this highly probable scenario:
These beer bottles and cans of non alcoholic products become so common place among the young and “mature” on the street that they no longer warrant a second glance. Next, this social acceptance will give rise to a few who will see, if they can get away with drinking “the real thing” in public as well.
Their successful attempts would give courage to others (especially the youth) to do the same thing.
Eventually, Muslims will be suffering from the same alcohol related illnesses and problems which are found throughout other communities.
This seems like all too high of a price for a community to pay just to fit in or be accepted.
And after all, isn’t it the underlying desire to emulate a champagne guzzling, beer belching intoxicated world at the root of this.
The question we have to ask the producers of these products is: Would these “refreshments” taste just as refreshing, if they were offered in different containers and called different names?
And shouldn’t Muslims be less anxious to consume items which should be at the outset cause for concern and hesitation?
So am I advocating censorship of Muslims. Far be it!
However, I do suggest that we ask ourselves this the following before we partake of public questionable activities:
If my action is the cause of my brother/sister to stumble then where is the value/love in that which I do.
As-Salaam Alaikum
Muneer A. Rasheed
International Advisor & Consultant (PPIM)
www.asia-consulting-advice.com
Assalamu’Alaikum
It’s a bold initiative by brother Muneer. We were all so focussed getting our business done that we failed to even realise what was happening was outrageous. This is definitely a “Hype”in representation…what’s the association the exhibitor was trying to make to sell his product…Trendy!!! HALAL doesn’t need Hype or Trendy!!! It’s a situation that Mihas 2010 needs to redress!
The following may also be worth reading:
Beer firms eye Muslim consumers
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 07/19/2004 12:05 PM | Business
Tony Hotland, Jakarta
The fact that Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world was not, and perhaps is still not, a major deterrent for alcoholic drink producers here in marketing their products.
But add that to excessive taxes and slipping consumer purchasing power, and the only logical thing left for them to do is to turn to producing nonalcoholic beverages instead.
The recent launch of nonalcoholic malt drink Bintang Zero by PT Multi Bintang Indonesia is fresh evidence of the decline in the market of beer and other alcoholic drinks here.
“”We’re used to the fact that we have many Muslims here. But the high tax and excise rates, combined with the slow economic recovery, have made people focus more on their basic needs and beer is not one of them. We’ve got to improvise,”" Bintang president director Mike Egeler told The Jakarta Post recently.
Bintang launched in April the nonalcoholic Fit&Fun to complement its nonalcoholic Green Sands and its main product, the alcoholic Bir Bintang. Bintang also imports Heineken Beer.
Egeler shared that the various taxes imposed on Bir Bintang accounted for 53 percent of the beer’s price.
Alcoholic drinks are subject to excise, value-added tax, luxury sales tax, income tax, and import duty (for imported ones).
The luxury sales tax is 40 percent of the retail price for drinks with an alcohol content below 26 percent and 75 percent for those with an alcohol content over 26 percent.
The excise rates range from Rp 1,300 (14 U.S. cents) for drinks with an alcohol content below 1 percent to Rp 50,000 for imported drinks with an alcohol content of more than 20 percent.
Meanwhile, consumer spending power has dropped due to the financial crisis in the late 1990s, and the effect still prevails.
The alcoholic drink industry is also under strict control and limitations since such drinks are considered haram or forbidden under the Islamic teaching.
“”The activities of fanatic religious and social groups, who frequently come and wreck havoc in places that sell such drinks, put us in a negative light,”" said chairman of the Association of Alcoholic Drink Producers Hatta Arpan.
It is not surprising given the above conditions that there has been a gradual decline in the beer market and decreasing consumption.
“”Indonesia’s current per capita beer consumption is very low at around 0.6 liters per year. Even Malaysia’s is about 20 liters despite the fact that it’s also a Muslim country. The taxes there are more affordable than here,”" said Egeler.
He added that beer production had gone down 21 percent from 2000 to 2003 to less than 1.2 million hectaliters.
PT Delta Djakarta corporate secretary Willy A. Adipradhana said beer companies should take the initiative by diversifying products and expanding markets.
“”We’re eyeing the eastern parts of Indonesia as there are many expatriates there who work in mining companies, for instance. We’ve also turned to nonalcoholic drinks and plan to create more flavors for those drinks,”" Willy said.
Delta sells Anker Bir, Anker Stout, Carlsberg Beer, San Miguel Beer, and the nonalcoholic Sodaku and Soda Ice.
Both Bintang and Delta, the country’s two largest beer producers, nevertheless still have faith that they will continue producing beer and other alcoholic drinks.
“”Things will be better in the long term as our economic condition is improving and the purchasing power will be restored,”" said Egeler.
After all, a better economy and spending power are all they can bank on since they definitely cannot change religious teachings nor meddle with the government’s regulation on taxes.