The ' halal -ness' of food appears to be prevalent only in this part of the world. When I worked in the UK, I unintentionally passed some of my food to my Muslim colleague. Horrified, I thought he would accuse me of being insensitive and all sorts of things.

Instead, he was very surprised by my contriteness. After my explanation that in Malaysia I would have been put through hell for insulting, among other things, Islam, he told me that it was a very small matter (he is from the Middle East, Egypt, I think).

He told me that religion should be practised at higher spiritual and moral planes. The halal issue should not be used to the extent that it is a divisive force of humanity. If it is so used, then taking the argument to its logical conclusion, Muslims must breathe their own air, use their own money, paper, water, etc.