Why the Issue of Food Containing Pork is Highly Sensitive for Muslims

The issue of food containing or being made from pork frequently goes viral and attracts significant attention among Indonesia’s Muslim community. This is because the matter of halal is not merely a matter of food choice, but an essential and fundamental issue in practising religious teachings. In the Islamic view, paying attention to halal status is a vital part of a Muslim’s life.

The Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for Fatwa, KH Asrorun Niam Sholeh, stated that halal for Muslims is a fundamental matter in Islamic teachings. In the Islamic perspective, halal concerns constitute half of religious affairs.

“The matter of halal for Muslims is an essential and fundamental issue in Islamic religious affairs; indeed, halal represents half of religious matters,” Kiai Nian told Republika on Friday (4/9/2026).

The expression that halal is half of religious affairs is an important principle in Islam, emphasising how crucial it is to consume and seek sustenance that is halal.

Previously, Kiai Niam also urged Muslim consumers to only choose restaurants and food products, medicines, and cosmetics that are guaranteed to be halal. Ahead of the full implementation of mandatory halal certification on 17 October 2026, the MUI has even invited the public to say no to restaurants that do not yet possess a halal certificate.

When asked what would happen if, after the mandatory halal period in October 2026, there are still business actors required to be halal but refuse to undergo certification, Kiai Niam stated that there would be administrative, legal, and moral sanctions.

Kiai Niam emphasised that every Muslim should only consume what is halal. Not only should the haram (forbidden) be avoided, but even the syubhat (doubtful) must be shunned.

“Therefore, I also urge every Muslim consumer to only choose restaurants, food, medicines, and cosmetics that are halal,” said Kiai Niam.

Kiai Niam asserted that food, medicines, and cosmetics that are not halal must certainly not be chosen or used as culinary destinations. This is because for Muslims, even the doubtful is impermissible, let alone the forbidden.

“Therefore, say no to restaurants that do not have halal certification,” he concluded.