Muslim moviegoers call for halal-certified food options as cinemas here attract people of different races and religions

No food counter in local cinemas, including Shaw Theatres (above) is halal-certified. TNP FILE PHOTO

Muslim cinemagoers are upset after learning that none of the four main cinema chains here has halal-certified food counters.

The halalSG Twitter account, managed by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), posted on Sept 5 that no food counter in local cinemas is halal-certified.

A Twitter user named Gypsily had asked if the food at Golden Village cinemas was halal.

Replying to queries from The New Paper last week, Muis confirmed that it had not received halal applications from cinemas here.

The four chains operate more than 30 food counters in their cinemas.

Muslim cinemagoers who spoke to TNP said they were previously unaware that food in the cinemas was not halal-certified.

Student Fatimah Mujibah, 19, said: "All cinemas should apply for the halal certification.

"Halal options should be available for Muslims because outside food is not allowed in the cinemas."

She added that most Muslims would assume that food sold in cinemas is halal.

"If the snack bars are not halal, then we should be allowed to take our own food in," said Miss Fatimah.

"Then again, if everyone does this, the cinema could end up being dirty."

Madam Kamariah Othman, 46, a teacher, said: "I do not see any relevant excuse for cinema snack counters to not get halal certification.

"After all, cinemas attract audiences of different races and religions."

A spokesman for Cathay Cineplexes told TNP that not all snacks sold at its Cinesnax counters are halal-certified.

The chain, which has cinemas at eight locations across the island, operated halal-certified food counters at four locations in 2014, but the certification was not renewed in 2015.

Asked why this was so, the spokesman said she could not comment on the matter because of a recent change in management, with the new team taking over fully only in May.

She added: "We will continue to review our customers' needs and feedback as part of our commitment to improve our services."

Cinema chains Golden Village, Shaw Theatres and Filmgarde did not reply to queries by press time.

More at https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/food-sold-cinemas-not-halal-muis