Statement from Medan's Interfaith Forum and Religious Council on Non-halal Meat Sales Circular

The Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB) of Medan City, together with the Religious Council of Medan City, issued a joint statement regarding a circular issued by the Mayor of Medan concerning the sale of non-halal meat. They called on all elements of society not to be easily provoked by issues that could potentially disrupt unity in relation to the circular.

As reported by detikSumut, the circular in question is Circular Number 500.7.1/1540 dated 13 February 2026, issued by the Mayor of Medan, concerning the arrangement of locations and management of waste from the sale of non-halal meat in Medan City.

“The FKUB, together with religious leaders, calls on all members of the public to continue maintaining a peaceful, orderly, and conducive atmosphere. The public is urged not to be easily provoked by issues that could potentially disrupt interfaith harmony,” reads the joint statement delivered by the Chairman of the FKUB, Muhammad Yasir Tanjung, as seen by detikSumut on Wednesday (25 February 2026).

The statement was made by representatives from various religious organisations in Medan, including SABHAWALAKA PHDI Medan City, the Indonesian Church Association (PGI-D) Medan City, the Indonesian Council of Islamic Scholars (MUI) Medan City, the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Council (PHDI) Medan City, MATAKIN Medan City, the Human Rights Commission of the Archdiocese of Medan, and the Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB) Medan City.

In the statement, they conveyed that the FKUB and the religious council express their support for the Medan City Government’s efforts to improve the city for the common good.

“The commitment to continue fostering togetherness, strengthening brotherhood, and enhancing relations between different religious communities is also emphasised as part of the shared responsibility in realising an inclusive and harmonious Medan,” it added.

This joint statement is addressed to all members of the public as a form of shared commitment to strengthening brotherhood, maintaining stability, and fostering interfaith harmony in Medan City.

Previously, the Mayor of Medan, Rico Waas, stated that he would provide free stalls for non-halal meat vendors. This is in response to a protest video circulating on social media regarding the circular prohibiting the sale of non-halal meat in Medan City.

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(fca/idh)