Booze With Halal Menu Causes Controversy

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U OF T

TheStar.com

Oct 19, 2007 04:30 AM
Joanna Smith
Staff Reporter

Muslim student leaders are appealing for understanding in the wake of a controversy surrounding the halal menu at a U of T Scarborough campus restaurant.

"It's being blown out of proportion," said Emad Alarashi, president of the campus's Muslim Students Association.

The controversy began last May when the student-subsidized Bluff's Restaurant, owned by the student union and located in the student centre, began offering halal-certified meat options to cater to Muslim customers.

Halal ("lawful") foods are those that adhere to Islamic conventions on diet and meat and dairy preparations.

However because Bluff's serves alcohol, the 500-student Muslim association has refused to endorse the restaurant for its membership.

As well, some Muslim students feared the Bluff's menu addition would undermine ongoing efforts to persuade the Scarborough Campus Students Union to find space for an all-halal eatery on campus.

Student union president Rob Wulkan said that possibility still exists and the Bluff's operates as an arm's-length company and makes its own decisions.

"They are free to do whatever they want with their menu," he said. "The (students' union) is committed to trying to ensure that all students are accommodated to the greatest degree possible."

All sides agree the menu conflict has stoked debate on campus on how far secular institutions should go to accommodate religious communities.

The online version of an article in the Varsity student paper on the Bluff's halal menu is followed by a series of harsh postings about Muslims.

Editors at the student paper did not return phone calls yesterday.

Ahmad Jaballah, an MSA member who is also the vice-president of students and equity on the student union, said he is saddened by the comments.

"It just shows the ignorance of people who do not even understand what the issue is," Jaballah said.

He is working with Alarashi and other students and officials to release a unified statement to clarify the issue within the next few days.

Nouman Ashraf, the university's cultural diversity officer, said he is working with the Muslim student group to find a solution to what he believes is an equity issue.