I will eat what I like.

     I Will Eat What I Like.

~ “The struggle against intolerance is a duty of the individual as well as an obligation of the society.” ~Dr. Erhard Busek, M.P., Austria.

The prohibition of pork in International schools in Malaysia, specifically ISKL included, is unfair, unreasonable and unjustifiable. With a broad variety of religion, race, and ethnicity of pupils, why does the school cater to a small minority of students, and prohibit the selling of pork? Although much of the distribution of pork is restricted due to government actions, the school itself regulates the rules that are enforced. It is senseless that such a rule is enforced, especially in an environment that promotes tolerance between students.

Although pork being sold in schools is only but a small division of social inequality that is circulated in schools, I believe that it is something that is worth fighting for. If this small obstacle is overcome, more will follow, creating a snowball effect. There are almost an equal, if not larger, amount of Hindu students in ISKL that do not consume beef. Yet, there are still stalls distributing beef as an option for daily meals. There are other options to chose from, even vegetarian alternatives. Then why can't the school sell 'non-halal' meat? By condoning a 'pork-free' environment the school is assuming that our fellow Muslim students are intolerant of non-halal food. More often than not, in my personal experience, this has not been the case. A solution to this would be to allow the distribution of pork, but also have other meats as an alternative for Muslim students. May you be Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Christian, Vegan or Vegetarian, to each their own belief. It should not affect the choice of others.

         Why should I, or any other student, be deprived of having a tasty pork bacon sandwich every once and a while? The restriction of pork in school is worth fighting against because it prevents us, as students, from obtaining our wants. After all we are in a school that strives for tolerance and equality, are we not? ISKL should be a place where social tolerance should be taught, so that better habits can be developed. School is one of the only places that can be controlled in a way that everyone is involved, unlike the political situation in Israel where tolerance is not preached; we can influence and preach tolerance across campus- starting with the serving of pork.

The school needs to find a balance between the issues at hand, and make a compromise. Sacrifice the needs and wants of students, whom are otherwise unaffected by Governmental actions; or go against governmental wishes and promote equality and tolerance between religions?

In conclusion to this controversial debate, I still believe that cultural tolerances should be encouraged in ISKL, starting with the distribution of pork in school. Everyone should be able to enjoy their own personal favourites; no culinary boundaries should be enforced. Religious beliefs of others should not be the driving force that prevents the choices that you yourself make.

~ “The consumption of pork meat is beneficial to both one’s well-being and happiness, but also the economy of the meat market. Pork may or may not contain chemical properties that immediately uplift one’s mood and lead then through life with the guarantee of success and wealth”.  ~Ms. Cui-Lyn Huang, noted photographer, and owner of bacon strips shirt.

-Citation: Quote 2 from 1st hand source.