Alex Chang McDonald Muslim Rant

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I received 2 emails from fans telling me about this Alex Chang guy who don’t want the Azan to be played during break fast at McDonald. Happeepill is fast becoming a tabloid newspaper.. not that it’s a bad thing :) I just covered the Curry Saga and I had plans to write a long overdue Islamic article but now, even that have to wait…. I honestly cannot keep up with Singapore and it’s drama -__-

Anyway, here‘s my opinion on the matter.

What’s the Story Morning Glory?
Alex Chang went on Facebook and said “… why are the McDonald outlets playing the Muslim chant during the dinner time in the restaurants? Can I request to play Buddhism chat on Vesak day? Please advice.”

And he also wrote, “… Not trying to be disrespectful. But abit irritating during dinner time. Not respecting other religion at all. By the way, can you tolerate if they play Buddhist chime in the restaurant?”

Alex ChangWe are focusing on Alex. Wait your turn Suzanne -__-”

Once the message gets posted, Facebook started to turn its gears and work its magic and by hours, the statements from Alex Chang exploded and now going viral EVERYWHERE.. creeping to emails and twitter. Alex Chang is now famous.. but not in a good way.

Before I rip this subject to pieces, let me start by explaining the “Muslim chant” that Alex Chang is referring to.

What is up with all this chanting?
The “Muslim Chant”  is actually a Call to Prayer also known as the Azan or Athan. Christians use church bells to signify the time for worshippers to go to Church.. Muslims use the Azan as the indicator. When Muslims hear the Azan, they must get up and pray. But things get different during Ramadan. When it goes off at 7.15pm, instead of getting up to pray, Muslims EAT first. Because they have been fasting mah.

The Azan is done in Arabic and the English meaning is:

God is Greatest
I bear witness that there is no god except the One God
I bear witness that Muhammad is God’s Messenger
Come to prayer
Come to success
God is Greatest
There is no god except the One God

Check out the short documentary below. If you cannot stand 3 mins of Azan at Mc Donald, that means you cannot live here.

Facebook can make you FAMOUS… in a bad way -__-
Ok, this is important, before any of you post anything online and leave it exposed for all to see, know that it can bite you back in the a$$. I too have to watch what I write because you don’t want to say something that does benefit anybody. Look at Alex Cheng, its only 12.37 AM as I type this and a Facebook Page “Ban Alex Chang from all McDs in Sg” , which has been brought down, have reached 7000 likes.

Do you know what that means to have 7000 likes? That means you got 7000 strangers that hates you. 7000 people can form a whole army battalion. Heck, 7000 men can bring down the Singapore Government in a coup. So I’m sure Alex Chang did not expect this sort of attention and I’m sure if he can take back his words, he would.

Why you no tolerantRacism will exist till the end of time. But that does not mean we wanna hear your rant.
When we live with other races, with different cultures and belief systems, we will bound to dislike, frown on their customs and practices. Singaporean or not, it’s best you don’t comment on sensitive issues on religion and race if you don’t know to be objective/impartial/diplomatic about it.

 If you really need to blast other races because the Chinese/Malay/Indian/Eurasian taxi driver did give you the correct change, keep your rant and complaints behind closed doors. And after you cooled off, forgive and overlook, you can come back out and join society again.

If you are in public and you are uncomfortable with burning joss sticks, wedding kompangs, people carrying the Kavadi, because you are sensitive to smoke or sound, walk away in a good manner. Decline the invitation of a friend in a good manner if you know you will be uncomfortable.

And by the way, this just in… Alex Chang have apologized liao. So give the guy a break and let’s put all of this behind us. :D

sorry acceptedAt the end of the day, McDonald wins,
Evil Bunny!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1598472576 Calvin Mason

    FIRSTTTTTTTTTT

  • Mak Jeynab

    WOOHAA!!!!

  • AshLynn MFJ Addmas

    moved to tears also when hear the Azan.. God is Great!!

  • Haidah1983

    well alex really learned his lesson doesn’t he… well next time think twice before you speak your mind… thinking twice won’t hurt u even a bit but will really save alot of ur a$$ if u noe what i mean… cheers! ^_^

    by the way the documentary that the author post is really magnificent…

  • Boyan619

    after i make a formal complain to the mcdonald’s management thru email than he just want to apologise

  • NOR

    good article u hv here…will share it with the class :)

  • Fauziah4

    Maybe LKY shd rethink n take back his words. Alex Chang is totally ignorant of the religion n practices of the native race of Singapore. The Azan is not a chant. Omg! He doesnt even know what’s an Azan! This is one of the many thgs the Malays n the Muslims have proven their tolerance to others. Alex Chang couldn’t tell a difference betw Malay n Arabic language. And to think that Singapore was a Malay fishing village n our neighbour is Malaysia. I can tell the diff in spoken Chinese dialect languages. I hv definately integrated with other S’poreans better than him. I hope LKY can view racial integration beyond what he had written in his book.

  • FrW

    I’m sorry EB, this is going to be a long one!

    The guy may not be racist – it could just be a case where he doesn’t know how to put across his words carefully, thus coming across as racist. His comment did show that he was ignorant however, so perhaps he should learn more before he ‘speaks’ next time.

    Nonetheless, he may have a point. I mean don’t get me wrong here, I am a Muslim and I am glad the azan is being played but is it really necessary? As far as I know, MacDonald’s is a secular place after all. (Pardon me if I’m being ignorant here.) It is not compulsory for Muslims to hear the azan as they break fast. Sure, it makes a great signal/indicator but we can make do without it, especially if it makes the non-Muslim diners uncomfortable. It’s not like we’re in the mosque or in our own home or a Muslim-owned restaurant.

    This incident reminds me of the time MacDonald’s decided not to include the pig chinese zodiac soft toy as part of their CNY promotion. Some people were upset for various reasons, and understandably so imho. Has MacDonald’s consulted with any islamic authority before going ahead with their plan? Is it really wrong for a halal-certified restaurant to sell a pig soft toy? Really? Even in the context of a multi-religious society? I know they probably have the right intensions, but could they being doing more harm than good?

    As far as I know, Islam is a religion of peace and is especially considerate of people of other religions. This was especially so during the time of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings unto him). And what has become of us now? Why are many so ignorant and have the wrong ideas about us? We only have ourselves to blame. Familiar with that MJ song “Man in the mirror?” :-)

    Anyway to end off, we’re living in a multi-religious society. So we gotta learn how to share our common spaces. Ok, thumbs up if non-Muslims can accept the azan being played – they’re being gracious, that’s great! But now I call for fairness for all – bring on those Deepavali songs, Christmas carols, and yes, if appropriate, the Buddhist chants during Vesak Day! (Sorry, I don’t know if its appropriate/right for Buddhist chants to be listened to while we’re eating – Perhaps someone can enlighten me?)

    • FrW

      Alamak I think I spelled ‘intentions’ wrongly. Not that there aren’t any more mistakes, haha! Also sorry that this comment comes late as the story is ‘basi’ (outdated) already lah… Kwa kwa kwa… “L” -.-

      • Islam4me

        You sound like a Sufi.

  • Anony

    Good to hear that he only thinks his ‘Malay’ friends are the only ones who are Muslims…
    Someone need to teach him the difference between Race and Religion.

  • Delano Vendetta

    If that McDonalds is in America… I swear to god foreign music shouldn’t be tolerated in there at all, if at all music, American. And if I say that, it makes me racist? Just because I’m not socialist but Capitalist? EXCUSE ME?