I refer to CK Tan's letter 'The great halal food divide' (Nov 9). The writer is highly insensitive to Muslims by suggesting that some quarters, including the government, are politicising the issue of halal (kosher).

There is no compromise on this issue where Muslims are concerned. It is their duty to make sure that the food is halal before they take it. They cannot assume or take for granted that the food is halal.

Even food factories need to be inspected by the Islamic Religious Department to ensure that the product is really halal before being accorded the certification. Halal is not simply labelled according to food types such as "chicken is halal, pig is haram". As an example, chicken wings imported from the United States without the certification of the US Islamic council are not halal because they were not slaughtered according to Muslim rites.

It is the basic teaching of Islam that whenever a Muslim is in doubt as to whether the food is halal or not, they are advised not to take the food.

In our multi-racial and multi-religious society, it is common for a non-Muslim family to cater for food or ask Muslim neighbours or friends to prepare the food to be served during festival seasons. This should be made known to their Muslim guests as early as possible so that they will not ask about the status of the food.

Blaming the government for the economic situation in Malaysia is plausible and logical. But accusing the government for inciting Muslims to be cautious about the halal status of food served during the festival seasons is stretching the imagination a bit too far, akin to blaming the government for the current rainy season.