KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Halal-certified bakeries in predominantly Muslim Malaysia are now permitted to include Christmas greetings on their cakes, according to a recent announcement by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
This decision marks a reversal of a three-year ban that had prohibited businesses from writing “Merry Christmas” on their products, sparking public discontent.
The change in directive follows the circulation of an internal memo from Berry’s, a popular bakery chain, instructing staff not to write Christmas greetings on cakes. The memo cited Jakim’s halal regulations and recommended using a “Season’s greetings” topper instead. The move faced criticism online, with comments highlighting the need to respect diverse cultures.
Jakim clarified in a statement that there are no impediments for halal-certified businesses to include festive greetings on cake orders. The agency emphasized that its previous statements from 2020 no longer apply and shared an image of the Berry’s memo with its updated position. Jakim also expressed its intent to review and re-evaluate matters related to the Malaysian halal certification procedure.
This decision reflects a recognition of cultural diversity and aims to ensure that businesses with halal certification can accommodate various festive greetings, fostering inclusivity in a country where Muslims make up the majority.
