University of Miyazaki offers halal meals to foreign students

Halal bread products are prepared at the student cafeteria of the University of Miyazaki. Masahiko Ishikawa MIYAZAKI - The University of Miyazaki offers five halal meals prepared according to Islamic traditions, regardless of whether students are Muslims or not.

The food offerings at the campus cater to those from Indonesia, Malaysia and other Muslim countries, as well as Japanese students who want to learn about Islamic culture through the cafeteria's menu.

Yoichiro Yoshinaga, who manages the student restaurant, said that students from Islamic states but curious Japanese students can enjoy the delicacies. I want to make them interested in each other's cuisine cultures through the cafeteria. Among the halal specialties are chicken rendang, a curry dish with coconut milk and an azuki bean paste roll and two types of leavened bread. The remaining one, chicken curry, ran out of stock but is back on the menu.

The dishes were certified by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, also known as JAKIM. Tools to cook and dish up the food, along with materials, have been recognized as Halal.

Under Islamic law, pork and foodstuffs marked by pork-derived constituents are banned from consumption. It is not permissible to have dishes treated with cookware or tableware that have come into contact with pork.

Muslims were not allowed to drink alcohol. Chicken and beef for human consumption must be processed in accordance with Islamic standards.

Novia Lusiana, 23, an Indonesian forestry student at the university's graduate school, said she examines food products at stores for Halal certifications when she cooks at home. Lusiana checks the ingredient labeling of food she purchases.

She says she pays special attention when eating out with Japanese students and usually opts for vegetable salads and orange juice on such occasions.

Lusiana said that being able to consume certified halal food at the students cafeteria is a great source of comfort. I can use spare time for studying if I'm able to use spare time. The University of Miyazaki accepts foreign students with a strong attitude. Student numbers from overseas dropped significantly to 141 from around 200 at its peak due to the COVID - 19 epidemic, as of May this year.

30 or so of that figure come from Muslim nations.

We are working on creating a better life environment for students while respecting different cultures all over the world. Makiko Hamasaki, a sectional chief at the college's Global Support Office said, "In this way we expect to attract excellent individuals from overseas."

The university has opened an Islamic Center on its campus to allow Muslims to pray and do other things there, aside from the cafeteria.