MUSLIM community leaders have spoken out against a school's attempt to ban non-halal food from its canteen, calling the move a step backwards for the community.

The plan, which has since been reversed, flies in the face of Singapore's multicultural values, they told The Straits Times yesterday.

Mr Ridzuan Wu, chairman of the Centre for Contemporary Islamic Studies, which promotes conversations between different religious groups, said the ban would be a step backwards for the Muslim community.

'I think we've come to that stage in Singapore when it's really not practical to look at things in such a narrow way,' he said.

A furore started when Boon Lay Garden Primary School sent a letter to parents last Friday, saying that only halal food could be eaten or taken into its canteen, which sells only halal food. Such food does not contain ingredients like pork and alcohol, considered forbidden in Islam.

The announcement upset non-Muslim parents, who felt it smacked of discrimination. About 20 per cent of the school's students are Muslims.

The school said on Monday that it had made a mistake and will not go ahead with the move.

Yesterday, religious leaders said it is not wrong for Muslims and non-Muslims to dine together, as long as Muslims eat halal food.

Mr Muhd Saiful Alam, an imam in charge of missionaries at Kassim Mosque, said it is in fact something he preaches.

He said he teaches his four-year-old daughter that 'it is not a sin if she sits next to her non-Muslim friend who might be eating pork. Even if she touches the food accidentally, it is not wrong'.

Other Muslim leaders said a ban on non-halal food could result in a backlash.

Mr Rhazaly Noentil, a mosque leader at the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, said: 'The other children might look at Muslims and think that they do not like to mix with those of other religions, or that they are not accommodating towards others.'

Religious leaders and school principals The Straits Times spoke to all pointed to the need for more education to avoid misunderstandings.

This is despite events like Racial Harmony Day, which has been marked in schools since 1997. The latest incident shows that more can be done, they said.

Mr William Pushpam, principal of Huamin Primary School, said schools have done a lot over the past years to educate students on racial harmony.

However, he acknowledged that students perhaps need more time to become integrated as a whole.

'You cannot expect instantaneous responses, as race and culture are very deeply rooted things,' he said.

Mr Rhazaly agreed, saying that there is 'still a need for more bonding and understanding among the different races'.

Mr Justin Arul Pierre, principal of Pasir Ris Primary School, said the key lies in more interaction among students of different races, which he tries to promote in his school by organising sports and music competitions which require students of different races in groups.

'That's the only way you can understand one another, eradicate misconceptions.'

Eight in 10 parents who spoke to The Straits Times yesterday also said schools should teach students the eating habits and food restrictions of different religions.

This is something done at North Spring Primary School in Sengkang. School principal Shirley Ng said pupils learn about one another's customs through festival celebrations, as well as during National Education lessons.

'We teach them the need to appreciate one another's culture,' she said.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SANDRA DAVIE

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Feb 06, 2008.