PETALING JAYA: The Perak mufti has slammed a primary school’s policy of having separate cups for its Muslim and non-Muslim students, saying the practice was not only unfounded in Islam but also smacked of racism and hate. “Why must we discriminate?” asked Harussani Zakaria when contacted by FMT. “This should not have happened. We should know the ruling. Don’t be too rigid that others would begin despising us. Islam pays importance to human relations,” he said. Checks by FMT at Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Puteri in Hulu Langat yesterday confirmed pictures posted online showing cups placed at a drinking water dispenser labeled “Muslim” and “non-Muslim”. The school has 219 Malay and 145 non-Malay pupils. FMT understands that the practice began last year under the school’s principal, who has since been transferred after a four-year tenure. Parents and civil society activists have expressed shock over the policy, while Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon in a short response said the ministry would seek an explanation on the matter from the state education department. “National schools are for all, regardless of race and religion,” Chong added. Urging the practice to be stopped, Harussani said it had no religious basis, even if Islam considers certain types of food as unclean. “Even if one consumes pork, that does not mean his lips are unclean,” he said. “We can use cups used by non-Muslims. We can use cooking utensils used by non-Muslims. “This practice is an insult. Don’t do it,” said Harussani.
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