T

he Semarang Muslim Forum (FUIS) has protested a culinary event held in conjunction with Chinese New Year because of its plan to feature dishes containing pork, which is considered haram for Muslims.

Calling the event “hurtful” to residents in the predominantly Muslim city of Semarang, Central Java, the forum demanded that the festival, slated to be held at Sri Ratu supermarket from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2, be canceled.

On Friday, representatives of the forum met with the festival’s organizing committee, while the head of the Semarang Police’s intelligence division, Adj. Sr. Comr. Ventie Musak, attended as a mediator.

“The pork festival would hurt Muslims in Semarang. Therefore, we ask the organizer to cancel the event and focus on celebrations for [Chinese New Year]. The organizers agreed about that. They will continue to hold the pork event, but they have to ensure that no Muslims enter the area,” FUIS spokesman Danang Ansoru told The Jakarta Post.

The FUIS and the event organizers also signed a joint statement following the meeting.

“We reject the pork festival with procedures that are in accordance with the law. We’re not intolerant,” Danang said.

In an official statement, the FUIS — an alliance of several Islamic organizations including Muhammadiyah, Muhammadiyah’s youth branch, the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI), Indonesian Muslim Lecturers and Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia — rejected the event.

They also demanded that Semarang’s mayor and culinary community respect the city as it is mostly populated by Muslims.

The FUIS called on the police to not be too permissive in issuing licenses for activities or events that might spark controversy or social conflict.

The group also threatened to hold a demonstration if the pork festival went ahead as originally planned.

The event’s organizing committee head, Firdaus Adinegoro, confirmed the cancellation of the pork festival, saying it would be replaced with an Imlek food-oriented event.

“We changed the name of the event from Pork Festival to Imlek Culinary Festival, but we haven’t changed the concept. It remains a festival presenting various foods that are usually served during Chinese New Year.

“This is Chinese culture; many of their foods are made from pork. But we have informed Muslims not to visit the area.”

Semarang Police chief Sr. Comr. Abiyoso Seno Aji emphasized that the festival was legal and did not violate any laws. He stressed that the police would take action against anyone who disrupted the event.

Last year, a similar event took place at the same venue ahead of Chinese New Year celebrations, from Feb. 4 to 8.

The event ran smoothly until the end, when organizers deployed staff to guard the entrance and ensure that no Muslims entered the area.

“The pork festival is part of Chinese New Year celebrations. There is nothing wrong with it. I told the FUIS members that we should respect each other. We uphold interreligious tolerance. We should not disturb people who celebrate Imlek.”

He added that all events related to Imlek would run according to plan. Meanwhile, although the venue is a public place, the organizer has designed the festival area to make it secluded.

They have also put up signs stating that all foods, including various dishes containing pork, may only be consumed by non-Muslims.