GEORGETOWN: Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor has reminded people in the country not to boycott McDonald's Malaysia because the management of the company has already provided a valid explanation that they do not give any sort or form of contribution to Israel.
Wan Salim also advised members of the public who want to exercise the move and action to boycott any company or establishment that is claimed to have ties or links to Israel, must therefore be based on clear facts and convincing evidence, not just on hearsay and assumptions.
"It must be explained that McDonald's Malaysia is not part of the list of companies that needs to be boycotted because the company's management has already provided an explanation, apart from the company also issuing zakat through through zakat management offices in several states.
"In defending those who have been persecuted there must not be persecution of others, so as Muslims we must uphold justice even when it comes to non Muslims. This is because the value of justice that Islam commands to be upheld is universal, not just for the Muslim community," he said when contacted last night.
Earlier it was reported that Wan Salim had advised the Muslim community to show a spirit of camaraderie and sympathy for the suffering endured by the people of Palestine by boycotting any companies and products that are related to Israel.
He was quoted as saying that it is not wrong if a Muslim who does not have any other job opportunity where an Israeli company or product is the only source of income therefore it is allowed to be employed there based on the law of emergency.
"However in Malaysia there are many job opportunities available, one just has to be hardworking and determined to find and look," he said.
Even then he reminded that any move or action to boycott must be based on evidence that is clear and beyond a reasonable doubt, and not just on hearsay and assumption which in the end could leave others ending up being persecuted and punished.
On Sunday, it was reported that McDonald's Malaysia' 21,000 workforce are facing uncertainty and a bleak future ahead following the boycott campaign against the popular fast food chain due to claims that it was involved in the channeling of funds to a third country.
They were also labeled as supporters of Jews and were on the receiving end of all sorts of scorn and insults from the community.