Halal Bill sparks debate in Indonesia

By Salim Osman

JAKARTA: Muslim legislators in Indonesia are pushing for the quick
approval of a controversial Bill that will require halal labelling of a
wide range of products possibly as early as next week, despite concerns
raised that it smacks of ‘Islamising’ the state.

Items for which such labelling would be required by law range from
food and beverages to cosmetics, medicine, and genetically-altered
products.



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Muslim
members of Parliament who support the legislation argue that it is
necessary to protect the faithful. But their Christian and
secular-minded colleagues have opposed the move.