Muslim man accidentally served bacon while being detained at immigration center

But did he died?

During one of the gulf wars, I was deployed to Egypt, and our Egyptian co-workers were begging for our MREs, even though they said HAM in big letters

Big news huh?

It was a "a grave human rights violation", what a joke!

A Yokohama area immigration detention center has apologized for mistakenly serving a Muslim man, who is interned there for unknown reasons, a meal that included pork, the consumption of which is forbidden by Islamic law.

More like out of ignorance than anything else.

According to Japanese reports, the man then went on some kind of hunger strike to protest what he calls a grave human rights violation

Human rights violation? Hmmmm, I can think of a ton of other things that are a higher priority. I wonder, no bacon, but the utensils used for cooking the other food were more than likely used to handle the bacon or other pork products as well, so does that mean this guy wouldn't have eaten the food anyways? Or is it more like, what you dont know wont hurt you?

It appears that the Japanese government does not require meals served to those being detained to adhere to religious standards, but the immigration office involved has nevertheless issued a statement declaring that they will take measures to ensure the man’s (and presumably any future prisoners’) religious meal requests be honored.

Folks are hyper sensitive to Islamic issues right now, and while education is or should be foremost, I dont think it's right to expect everyone to bow down to one individual religions "beliefs".

For its part, the Yokohama immigration center says it attempted to accommodate the man’s requests for pork-free meals, but unknowingly served him a salad spiked with bacon pieces in an administrative foul-up.

Over exaggeration? Just trying to stir the pot and get people aggravated. Press like this does little if anything to help situations and just makes things worse!

Lucky guy. Bacon is delicious.

Japanese think bacon is not ham.

And he couldn't bother removing the bacon?

I remove the bones from the fish when I'm given free lunch.How much he paid for his?

May be he did crime or didn't adhere to the laws and he expect special service for that?

Funny thing is at the immigration center they actually tied to be nice - even put meat in the salad. Some 20 years ago it was luxury to have ham at home from where I come...

It appears that the Japanese government does not require meals served to those being detained to adhere to religious standards...

And apparently RocketNews doesn't read their own stories. It sounds to me like they were trying to accommodate his request but through an inadvertent screw-up, some bacon got through. I can easily see that happening. Some dweeb going down the line sprinkling bacon on every salad missed the note attached to this guy's tray. That happens when you have minimum-wage people doing repetitive work. At least they apologized for the mishap.

The same thing happened to an Indian co-worker of mine while we were visiting Korea. Despite our host carefully explaining what "strict vegetarian" meant, they still brought him soup with a crab leg inside. Lucky (because crab is so delicious)? I suppose... but if you've spent your life following a tradition, it kinda sucks to have your self-discipline thwarted by the inattentiveness of some drone.

By the way, my coworker also stopped eating entirely after that. But it wasn't a "hunger strike" -- it was more of a ritual purification (meditation or prayer, if you will). I suspect a similar motive on the part of this Muslim guy.

I really wish there was a way to filter out RocketNews stories on JT. They're so clueless...

After doing an illegal thing he is still looking for halal foods,

Lucky to be served clean safe food, unlike in his home land jails.

Honest mistake, but the responses have been everything any reasonable person could ask for.

Japan respects freedom of religion, so they can't compel someone to eat food forbidden by their religion. Someone goofed up and put pork on this man's salad. He complained, as is his right, and as he should. Because just because this isn't an issue for many of us doesn't mean it's not an issue for him, and part of being a member of the 21st century world is the understanding that people from different cultures have different rules that matter to them. The center apologized, as they should. Islam is quite pragmatic on Haram foods, so it's not like he's condemned to hell for unknowingly eating it. After the initial mistake of serving this dish, literally every person involved did exactly what they're supposed to do. Why are people upset about it? Just because they saw the word "muslim"?

And he couldn't bother removing the bacon?

The article says that he was unaware the bacon was there until after he'd eaten it, so whether he could 'bother' to remove it or not is irrelevant.

Still, I've been served meals containing bits of ham/bacon/chicken after I'd asked for a vegetarian meal; picking bits of carcass out of your food is not something that titivates the appetite. When that happens, I always send it back. Imagine you were served a salad laced with something you found disgusting, or dirty; would you be happy eating your salad after you'd, say, picked out bits of snot? Chopped caterpillar? How about a salad you'd seen the server sneeze over?

After doing an illegal thing

The article says the man was at the centre for 'unknown reasons'. Could have been a bureaucratic slip-up, an honest mistake, something as simple as an illegible date-stamp in his passport/entry permit...it's not like he was a serial killer or anything.

Japanese think bacon is not ham.

I believe that technically it's not. Ham comes from the leg, bacon comes from the belly. Canadian bacon comes from the back.

So he became a suicide bomber? Hope he chokes.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do! If the man I not medically restricted because ill health serve him a pound of it.

The rules on what is Halal are taken from what the Hebrews had for Kosher in the Tenak (Christians call it the old testament). The rules are similar, but the Muslims changed some of it. Lots of people think it was originally for health to not eat Pork, but that is not really true. Much of it has to do with disciplining oneself and sacrifice, just as many monks are vegetarians.

This gentleman in custom's detention probably never came across bacon bits before and did not ever think he would be served pork. I would assume he did not do his research on Japan before attempting possibly to come here, as pork is just about in everything except fish dishes....unless they are in a broth.

He is free to go home where he can have the food he likes.

Do you think they'll ever pass a halal food bill in Japan? This joker is in jail! He gave up his human rights when he was arrested. He should think himself lucky he got anything at all!

Probably the best salad he's ever had in his life.

@Disillusioned: This joker is in jail! He gave up his human rights when he was arrested.

Yes, the mark of a civilized is exactly this. NO HUMAN RIGHTS if arrested! Never mind the reasons for detention.

/sarcasm

No apology needed unless he has a medical condition or allergy to a certain food and informed them appropriately.

Peoples choices are their own, don't want to eat something, don't eat it, not 100% sure it fits within some particular, peculiar set of guidelines.. don't eat it.

While I'm sure most people do believe their set of beliefs sincerely that is their issue and not anyone else's, nor should anyone have to go out of their way to accommodate it.

Imagine if I demanded for the opposite of the norm in a theocracy.. I suspect the result would be much unpleasant than unknowing eating something I didn't want to eat.

The man could have asked if there was any pork products in his food. Also, Japan is a country that doesn't force everyone to follow Islamic law.

Peoples choices are their own, don't want to eat something, don't eat it, not 100% sure it fits within some particular, peculiar set of guidelines.. don't eat it.

As was said in the article, and repeated in the comments, he wasn't aware of the pork when he ate it. It wasn't a situation of refusal, it was a situation of finding out after the fact.

The man could have asked if there was any pork products in his food.

Did you not read the article? As it says:

the Yokohama immigration center says it attempted to accommodate the man’s requests for pork-free meals

Why, exactly, should non-Muslims give about flying fig about what someone's sky fairy has to say about diet?

Yeah, it's not like we should treat Muslim's with a modicum of human decency right?! Heathens!

So the focus in this piece is on how a man ate pork, not the fact he was detained for probably breaking the law?

Radical muslims have won the PR war so bad...

Radical muslims have won the PR war so bad...

They sure have. Now racists everywhere are condemning all Muslims, instead of just the radicals. They effectively managed to create an us vs. them situation, where the moderate Muslims by default have to be on the side of the radicals, since they are hated by the bigots on the other side.

The terrorists won with 9-11.

Strangerland, The issue is the kindness and respect you suggest to extend will most likely not be returned, unfortunately most even moderate believers in most religions have great difficultly separating their personal beliefs and opinions from entering the public arena and becoming demands for everyone to follow if they are given the opportunity.

You probably won't agree, but I don't see this as any different than me asking not to have pumpkin as I don't like it, not allergic, isn't going to hurt me but expecting someone to change the menu on my account. If they don't put it in my particular meal, if it doesn't put them out too much, sure great, but if they do, or do inadvertently you wouldn't see me crying human rights violation I think I would be more concerned about being in jail. And yes I see those religious view as no different to anyones personal preference.

the kindness and respect you suggest to extend will most likely not be returned

Is that the only reason you would consider treating a person with a modicum of human decency? Because you expect to get something back in return from a whole group of other people who have probably never met nor heard of the person you have in front of you?

I don't see this as any different than me asking not to have pumpkin as I don't like it

More like asking not to have something you find disgusting or dirty. Like a plate with sticky fingerprints on it. Or a glass with someone else's lipstick on it. Or stewed cockroach.

A.N Other, sadly some "issues" are heavily moderated because of the fear of "offence" and the unreasonable responses that some "issues" get from some unreasonable people... and all at the detriment of free speech and truth.

We are in trouble as a species.

Onedragon: The Japanese are correct bacon is from the belly area of the love Porky Pig and is cured. Hams are the legs ( Shoulder and legs ) of the lovely Porky Pig and is hang and smoked. They are two totally different tastes.

Cleo,

a plate with sticky fingerprints, lipstick, and a cockroach are all things, actual things, and these are actually potentially dirty which we can substantively prove. Someones opinion does not constitute fact.

A better suggestion would have been only serving whale meat in a Japanese jail when I have an objection to it. ;-) And then I could request something else and if they said no.. tough luck.

Im not suggesting serving something that is actually dirty or actually potentially dangerous, or even being intentionally unkind in anyway. There is no suggestion that the man has suffered any harm other than that of his person choices.

The cockroach, perhaps, there may well be some remote places that would serve that, and I would have to decide if I should eat it or not. My choice, it its the local custom can I call outrage and human rights violation.. nope.

Strangerland, The issue is the kindness and respect you suggest to extend will most likely not be returned

So you want to lower yourself to their level?

You probably won't agree, but I don't see this as any different than me asking not to have pumpkin as I don't like it

A religious belief and personal preferences are not the same thing.

Strangerland,

Its not lowering to a level, its not accepting non-sense.

Where do you draw the line, Hey mate yeah I respect your decision on what to eat according to some book but draw the line at not allowing women to have equal access to education, or respect your ideas on cruel and inhuman treatment of people who decide to leave your set of beliefs based, on the same book (or interpretations of it).

I don't agree that religious belief and a personal preference are different or should be treated differently in the public sphere, but I would be genuinely interested why you think they are.

Who decides, who gets to say what is the right or wrong interpretation of this or that belief, who gets to say how far one is allowed to go but another isn't.

the kindness and respect you suggest to extend will most likely not be returned

based on what research exactly?

I've received unconditional - and delicious - hospitality from many Muslim families.

When you were in a jail of a country which is a muslim theocracy? It would be an interesting tale to hear.

Pigs are unclean, but chickens, which enthusiastically eat their own poop are okay?

Halal rules are demonstrably irrational. But then none of us is completely rational, so immigration may as well pander to this person's irrationality.

A totally honest person of the Islamic faith should know that Allah is forgiving and merciful and forgives what you do in ignorance and unknowingly. So if he did eat it unknowingly, he just has to repent before Allah and promise him that he will not commit it again and seek his guidance and help. Also I wouldn't be surprised if there is a ulterior motive to the hunger strike like justification for a lighter penalty.

OK ... if I should ever happen to screw up bad enough to land in prison ... I'll demand steak for dinner every day, saying this is my religious custom. Do you think I'd get steak daily? Think again. Not even in an American or European prison would the head chef in the prison kitchen make special dishes for me. I'd have to eat what I got ... along with the rest of the inmates. If these religious food guys are going to screw up, they should expect to be served what everybody else in the prison chain eats. Jeez: specially catered food in prison! What nonsense ...

edojin, stop it you sound entirely too sensible.

NZ2011: "When you were in a jail of a country which is a muslim theocracy?"

I didn't know Japan is a Muslim theocracy, because it's Japan we are talking about here, despite you suggesting they not be held to any higher standards.

Fact is, you're talking about personal dislikes vs. religious belief, and having given the man pork product, despite being an accident and obviously not life threatening, is a pretty big deal. I think the man is exaggerating with the whole 'human rights violation', since again it was an accident (he might have grounds if it were intentional), but Japan is a country trying to welcome and accommodate the needs/beliefs of people from around the world as tourism increases and the Olympics approach, and first they need to learn a little bit about food preparation. I've been to school lunch companies and know about cafeterias, etc., here, and I know that while they are usually quite sanitary (still a lot of cases of mass food poisoning!), they often re-use utensils that have come into contact with other dishes before washing them thoroughly -- and restaurants are much worse. This can result in anaphylactic shock, as well as infringing on people's choices not to eat certain products; based on adhering to beliefs or just personal choice.

Hopefully they take more care in the future.

Its not lowering to a level, its not accepting non-sense.

No, you are choosing to treat someone as lesser based on (your assumption of) what they would do to you. As you are basing your actions upon (your assumption of) what they would do to you, it's lowering yourself to (what you think is) their level.

I'll demand steak for dinner every day, saying this is my religious custom. Do you think I'd get steak daily? Think again.

So you would prefer to lower yourself to (what you think is) their level? That makes you just as bad as (what you think) they are.

Not even in an American or European prison would the head chef in the prison kitchen make special dishes for me.

Maybe you should look into that before you make such claims: http://flaglerlive.com/78104/prisons-kosher-meals/

Ah.. this must be the 'let's laugh at Muslims' party. Sorry wrong door.

In private and when engaging as a private person, where religious matters belong in a secular country, this man is totally entitled to eat or not eat whatever he wants.

He was in jail, and they appear to have tried to accommodate, made a mistake, when making a special accommodation, then outrage and claims of human rights abuses.. thats the problem. As if strict adherence to those beliefs should somehow, be known, catered for and provided in a way most reasonable people wouldn't expect given even slight changes to the situation.

So, again I'm interested why is someones religious belief given special accommodation, and how exactly that is different from a personal preference in a justifiable, substantive sense.

People believe all kinds of things for all kinds of reasons, what precisely gives this particular set of beliefs a special pass from the same criticism we would give to any other belief or idea. Fear? Money? Age? not sure again genuinely interested on peoples thoughts.

Again, my point being who decided which religions count, which don't, which rules and to what extent they are enforced, its difficult so the answer is to keep it out of the public sphere.

Though Smith I do agree some food prep practices need looking at. More for bacterial and allergy reasons.

Anyway, I have strong feelings about the normalisation and growing acceptance of bronze age thinking in modern society, no matter the brand and the influence it is having in both in the west as much as the middle east.

So I will leave it there, and people can continue thinking I'm horrible, despite the fact I like people very much :-)

And he couldn't bother removing the bacon?

And you couldn't be bothered to read the article?

Yes, it was an oversight by the Japanese, but I do not get this rather heartless "he should eat what he is given" attitude. I think that people really do not appreciate how revolting the pig is to Muslims. Someone above compared it to receiving a glass with lipstick on it, but you need to multiply that by 10 to have a similar impact.

Ah_so SEP. 01, 2015 - 04:29PM JST Yes, it was an oversight by the Japanese, but I do not get this rather heartless "he should eat what he is given" attitude. I think that people really do not appreciate how revolting the pig is to Muslims.

Your a guest. They can live off water, bread and beans. They don't need anything else. Try going to any third world countries and see if Japan is bad.

I don't see any anti-Islamic sentiment in the comments here.

It seems to me that most of the contributors are simply saying that living in a country other than your own inevitably involves some kind of risk.

Beggars can't be choosy.

Had he not been served a meal with pork, but some other meat would he have made a fuss had the meat not been Halal? We really are afraid of upsetting them aren't we?

I don't see any anti-Islamic sentiment in the comments here.

Are you reading a different thread than the rest of us?

He is free to go home where he can have the food he likes.

No he isn't, if he was then he wouldn't be in detention.

Actually it is not a sin if you first checked thoroughly (asked three times) with your host that the food is halal. If he properly followed the procedure, he shouldn't need to protest afterwards, I'm pretty sure the host didn't served him pork on purpose. If he didn't followed the procedure and blindly trusted the host, it's his fault. I know this from a very good Muslim friend.

Betcha he asked for seconds...bacon is sinfully good!

With all the defense thrown at the 'poor' guy who didn't know how pork looks and tastes I wonder one thing!

If I happen to be in Arab country and for some reason get in some institution where they have to serve me meal, will I get my dose of 40 degree alcohol as it is medicine for my soul and my body and I can't live without one shot every evening ;-)

He is being held foe a reason let Him starve until he can be sent home where ever that is!

No one knows why he is being detained but everyone knows that he was served bacon. Um ........ okay?

'Japan is a country that doesn't force everyone to follow Islamic law.'

That's because Japan is a civilised country with secular law.

Do some think that Japan should lower itself to the level of countries with primitive ideas of religious law? We should be trying to move forwards, not backwards.

It seems to have been a genuine mistake.

They shouldn't have told him.

It beggars belief that the authorities don't seem to know WHY THEY ARE HOLDING HIM, but , they are holding him anyways. Just being EVIL for EVILS' sake. SET THE MAN FREE FROM THIS CURRENT GUNKANJIMA.

From the article, it seems as if it was an honest mistake. Hardly newsworthy, in my opinion...

After apologize, go away dear !!!

After doing an illegal thing he is still looking for halal foods,

LOL Now, now don't you point out the obvious and the irony of it all.

From the article, it seems as if it was an honest mistake. Hardly newsworthy, in my opinion...

My sentiments exactly.

Nothing to see here, move along.

@Rashadoz Great post. Japan acted like a civilised country.

Can I just point out that Muslims are not a race? The word racism doesn't apply here. People are allowed to express their opinion of a religion without being called racist.

Muslims always seem to have some special needs to which everyone has to adapt to.

They seem very needy and whiny and, frankly speaking, irritating.

Muslims should try adapting to the situation they find themselves in, instead of demanding that everyone else adapts to them.

Islamic law.* what a joke, i see many muslim men coming to Japan for business Ive even taking a few of them shopping, theyre all quiet during checkout as they scan that six pack of beer. lol another muslim friend of mine put it simply, "they try to hide it from there friends but you cant hide it from God!"

It appears that the Japanese government does not require meals served to those being detained to adhere to religious standards, but the immigration office involved has nevertheless issued a statement declaring that they will take measures to ensure the man’s (and presumably any future prisoners’) religious meal requests be honored.

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This is news to a majority of Japanese, maybe. Have been eating turkey hams and turkey bacons if I wanted to eat ham or bacon. I am not for any religion but I thought eating pork will make me fat.

I can't imagine what "scandal" would arise if a vegetarian would be served meat.

Japan is aware this incident might lead to ISIS or other jihadists waging jihad against Japanese national overseas. You know this is a very serve insult ALLAH and prophet Mohammed and the world muslims will take vengeances if not apologize properly. Japan wants a good relations with the islamic world

This is so not news. Just an honest mistake. why in the world is this even here? There is much more news that is worth our time than someone accidentally eating pork. Maybe the lack of accepting asylum seekers would be a better topic regarding imigration. Especially iight of what's happening in other countries and Muslims seeking real help.

Why didn't he stay at home country? Muslim shouldn't complain about foods when they were in custody in foreign nation. They should check the foods themselves and do not eat if they think pork products were in foods. Peoples are tired of Muslims complaining everything which do not comply with their religion. So they should live and work in Muslim countries.

@chop Chop: Why they should stay home? If they go to Japan, they will not be hungry. No wonder Japan's unemployed people do petty crime and confess. They probably know they can eat fancy restaurant type meal in jail. Nowonder Myanmer boat people traveled to Japan skipping their neighbor Muslim Countries.

There was literally no harm done, seeing as the Quran explicitly states that you can eat pork if you don't know that it's pork.

Moreover, it's his religion so that means he's obliged to check, not the other way around.

A joke unworthy of a laugh.

Japanese think bacon is not ham

That's interesting, because the bacon I've had in Japan seems to taste just like ham to me. And I know some foreigners living in Japan go to the extent of making their own bacon because of this.

Quoran allows consumption of pork if no other food is available.

Local Imam can sort that out. But as many said a non-story.

some 16 days after he apparently ate the bacon-contaminated meal.

bacon-contaminated is an oxymoron.

More like bacon-wondiferated.

I'm glad Japan is sensitive, Muslims in Japan are pretty mellow folks. Only place you can get Kosher chicken in the Halal butchers …

This article is lovely. Don't know why folks want to gripe.

There are many Halaal restaurant's in Japan, it was a simple oversight and if he left the bacon bits = no problem.

This is not an Islamic country and mishaps do occur no need to go on a hunger strike. He could have complained and been served a different meal.

Still not news worthy.

Japanese think bacon is not ham

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American know bacon is not ham.

Japanese assume ham is made from pork. In most countries this is true. However, I was told that this is not always true in Japan by both a person who worked for a company that imported rabbit from China and sold it to a famous Japanese ham company. Leter, when I met some who worked for that ham company, I asked about this and that person confirmed that they used rabbit to make ham.

It is indeed a gross violation of human rights to be served what passes for bacon in this country.

USA Ham can be eaten without cooking. Bacon , cook to take grease out. on grills or on flying pan. To fry ham slices, spead cooking oil and just warm up/ Not to use too much oil spray. Ham sandwich is usually cold ham slice. Californian ham sandwich has avocado slices ham slice Tomato slices between bread roll slices. Moslem and Jewish people are careful when they buy potato chips. Bacon seasoned potato chips line up with other chips on grocery store shelves. There are turkey bacons and turkey hams in grocery stores. No one makes bacon or ham in their home as homes do not have bacon factories in home.

Ummm toshiko you only need factories if you intend to mass produce.

If he this man doesn't like it maybe he shouldn't be going to Japan or breaking Japanese law. I guess the 'When in Rome' sentiment doesn't apply to some people?

@toshiko maybe you misunderstand me, i mean people only make bacon in their homes for personal consumption, not for selling to the public, thus no factories needed.

not sure why would they adhere to his believes from the start or apologize.. dont like the free food - dont eat... nobody forced you to enter japan illegally

Good on Japan! No pandering here!

Japanese assume ham is made from pork. In most countries this is true. However, I was told that this is not always true in Japan by both a person who worked for a company that imported rabbit from China and sold it to a famous Japanese ham company. Leter, when I met some who worked for that ham company, I asked about this and that person confirmed that they used rabbit to make ham.

I don't believe this story. First, pork is very cheap in Japan, so no need to use rabbit meat from China. Second, the famous Japanese ham company would go bankrupt if it uses Chinese rabbit meat and says pork. Third, why would anybody from the company say they use rabbit meat when their products labels say pork?

nobody forced you to enter japan illegally

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Myanmer Moslem people were severely persecuted by its militant Buddhism Govt and escaped to Japan (boat people and Japan welcomed. Japan do not accept political refugees that get permission from their govt but real refugees Japan welcomed. These boat people were people were not treated as illegal,.

LOL

toshiko, why would any country welcome Myanmer Moslem people who were kicked out of their own country because of their difficult nature. If Myanmer people cannot tolerate, Japan cannot either. Japan is also Buddhism country. They should go to Moslem countries.

@tinawatanabeSEP. 02, 2015 - 11:02AM JST toshiko, why would any country welcome Myanmer Moslem people who were kicked out of their own country because of their difficult nature. If Myanmer people cannot tolerate, Japan cannot either. Japan is also Buddhism country. They should go to Moslem countries.

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Ask Japanese Govt that allocated $3.5 million to make sure they have shelters and can eat. Myanmer Buddhism differ. Japanese Buddhist do not kill fellow Japanese because they are Christian or Catolic or Jew or Shinto.

spahnmatthew SEP. 01, 2015 - 08:53PM JST From the article, it seems as if it was an honest mistake. Hardly newsworthy, in my opinion...

It's newsworthy in that the detention center made a mistake and dealt with it in a reasonable way, and those interested in Japan can know that though their institutions are imperfect in this case one of them did a good job in responding to a mistake.

It's also newsworthy in the sense that the Anglosphere is full of Islamophobes who will swarm on any story with "Islam" or "Muslim" in the title to vent their hate- which means any story with such a title is guaranteed thousands of ad-views which generates revenue for the paper so that they can afford to post proper stories later.

All this talk about bacon made me hungry.

As far as i know, in Muslim religion there is forgiveness in case you ate/drank something prohibited unknowingly (i think in most cases a simple prayer at your local Mosque is all that is required) ... and there is more loose Islamic faiths that they don't even prohibit the consumption of foods. A honest mistake, I don't see the need to make a fuzz out of this.

And another thing that bothered me regarding "pigs being dirty"... uhmm no they are not. Even wild boars and pigs are pretty clean animals. And those animals that are breed for human consumption are breed in a freakingly clean environment, balanced and clean meals and good medical and health care.

Of course if you have the idea of pig in the barn, who sleep in the mud and eat garbage (can' deny they are those pigs) but the production and cost performance of pigs breed like that does not allow to mass production and consumption.

I gave you a thumbs up katsu.

Giood stuff, Katsu, haraam though you may be.

why would any country welcome Myanmer Moslem people who were kicked out of their own country because of their difficult nature

Maybe you can enlighten us about that difficult nature? At the risk of Godwinning, your argument is the one that was made about Jews, gypsies and homosexuals in WWII.

Maybe you can enlighten us about that difficult nature?

That's what Myanmer people said. They worked very hard to try to live with Myanmer Moslem people, but simply impossible to live with them. I think the Moslem people should listen to Myammer people and try to live in harmony

If it's that Textured Vegetable Protein made over to look like bacon that people typically sprinkle on salads, maybe he wasn't bacon-ated at all.

http://yummyplants.com/accidentally-vegan/accidentally-vegan-mccormick-bacon-bits/

This week’s Accidentally Vegan feature is… McCormick Bac’n Bits!

Japan has shortage of workable people. Even though their male family members were executed, these refugees will be glad to work jobs Japanese hate to do, The women in Vegas area usually have si many adopted orphans. They work hard to raise children

That's what Myanmer people said. They worked very hard to try to live with Myanmer Moslem people, but simply impossible to live with them. I think the Moslem people should listen to Myammer people and try to live in harmony

"Moslem people" ARE "Myanmar people", to anyone who's not a bigot.

I met ladies who moved out from Myanmar and work in variable Asian food restaurants. Every year, since Bill Clinton created Mother of Day, Vegas area chose one foreign born mother and happen to be Moslem country refugee ladies as they have many adopted orphans from home country. 8, 10, children etc,

here on this page the bullying, hated comments and extremism becomes more important than the incident itself.

Where is the story? He does not need to eat it. And if does because he does not know, what is the harm done? For that matter I wonder how many Hindu detainees have been served beef without creating a big media brouhaha.

In restaurants in the area I live in USA, waiters/waitresses usually ask what kind of seasoning for salad. Bacon tips? etc. Not because religion but there are people who avoid some seasonings. Too many fat people in USA. I am not tall like average American people so I avoid pork product so that I don't get fat. If I become fat, I will look like Good Year balloon in sky,

" It appears that the Japanese government does not require meals served to those being detained to adhere to religious standards, "

...and neither should it. If you have particular food preferences, then don´t ask to be fed by the government. Can you imagine the confusion if the immigration kitchen was to follow all religious special food rules? Hindus don´t eat beef, muslims don´t eat pork, Jews don´t eat either pork or prawns, Yazidis don´t eat salad, Buddhists don´t eat any meat, Jain don´t eat either meet or root vegetables... shall I go on?

Theyd have to turn the canteen into a whole science project. Unsurprisingly, there is only one group that tries to enforce their rules above everybody elses, Enough already. The immigration should serve safe food to detainees, and if they don´t want to eat it, it is up to them. They should have never apologized; that is the way to accepting religious supremacy.

Apologize ad finitum. Seems so Japanese. And so wrong. Who cares why he's in detention? He's in detention for some not-so-obvious reason. Pandering to his religious diet is, as one commentator said, makes 9/11 a total success for the religious zealots to whom this guy is related, even in the remotest of ways.

Nowonder Myanmer boat people traveled to Japan skipping their neighbor Muslim Countries.

Toshiko, Those Muslim boat peoples are originally from Bangladesh. I met Burmese Muslim ethnic called Kaman peoples in Arakan state. They said Rohingya Muslims are not native to Rakhine state. They said the Kaman Muslim ethnic was only native Muslim peoples in Rakhin state and in Burma. Rohingya peoples come from Bangladesh and looking for work in Rakhin state and they brought family from Bangladesh.

By the way, if they are strictly avoided pork and pig products and then they should stay in their country. The foods from restaurants in Japan and other countries may have contaminated with pig products because the restaurants cook meals for Muslims and pork meat eaters with same cookware and hotplate, sometime they don't wash it. They don't know even Chocolate contain pig fat. In some countries, the restaurant used pig oil and vegetable oil for enhance taste.

I respect their religion duty but they shouldn't complain about foods when you're in custody and committed crime in foreign country. They shouldn't complain as a grave human rights violation for non Muslim authority's honest mistake.

It incident was happened in Australia and then that Muslim will seek compensation from Government. It's true. The opportunist Lawyers are waiting for such as opportunity for to make money.

I don't know whether that Muslim was trying to blackmail Government for compensation or not. It'll be better off for Japan if he was deported ASAP.

@chop chop: Thank you for explaining. In USA, every household use dishwashers and restaurants also use their kind of dish washers, They serve on clean dishes and never use dishes someone used. Also, sesame oil based oil spray. Not pig fat. No complaing by Jewish or Muslim people in USA, I did not know Austraria use dirly dish. My ignorance. Japanese people wash cishes etc FYI,

Nessie:

" "Moslem people" ARE "Myanmar people", to anyone who's not a bigot. "

You might want to read some history. The Rohingas are Bangladeshi muslims who where originally brought in by the British into British Burma (the usual divide and rule policy).

The have consistently refused to integrate into Burmese society and have a history of aggression against their Burmese hosts. Burmese authorities have repeatedly tried to resettle some to Bangladesh, but the Bangladeshi authorities refuse, even though they are ethnically Bangladeshis, speak the same language and follow the same religion.

Was that news to you?

Sorry to make a joke of this but you can imagine the guy..."What is this????!! Its incredibly delicious and must be a gift from Allah! Praise be to him!"

Guard: "Kore wa bacon desu" (bacon in heavy japanese accent)

Prisoner:"Bakoon??? I have never heard of this but I must be it back to the Middle East! Where do I get this Bakoon??"

Guard: "Buta" (in heavy japanese accent)

Prisoner: "Butaaaah. I must bring it back!"

And so starts the beginning of peace in the ME.....

Toshiko, first since you live in USA.. I am not sure you are entitled to comment on Japanese immigration tactics. Second, this has nothing to do with Myanmar refugees since those are properly sheltered and wouldn't be in the immigration lock-down. Third, the whole point you bring up is totally irrelevant - my comment is that anyone who is here illegally and in jail, has no right to complain about the food they get courtesy of our ( not yours since you live in USA ) tax bill.

What I don't understand is why is it that people who do illegal things get the least punishment and have the most rights. If the guy was served bacon OH WELL!! Sorry but that is what we serve everyone else in the hole. My question is this can everyone make special request for Steaks or sushi!!! This is crazy it should be take it or leave it. Or pay for your own meal and then GTFO!!

"It's regrettable that this suspect and detainee's faith doesn't allow him to enjoy our hospitality, but we will do our part to prevent this next time-Dolphin bacon".

Do Japanese typically put bacon rather than Textured Vegetable Protein bacon bits on salads? Which item are the esteemed visitors in the detention center more likely to have access to?

Blex: I am stuck with property ans income tax in Japan as my siblings puxhed me my share of ancient junks and properties so I live in Japan about 40 % a year. Besde that, I could not denounce Japanese nationality. Our city registered my chileren as Toshiko ,,,, 's first son, fitst daughter, 4th daughter etc I am from different type of family. I probably pay a lot more tax in Japan than you paid in entire your life in Japan. Beside that, I am a native born Japanese, not gaijin in Japab, I have right ti soeak up about Japan.

cleoSEP. 01, 2015 - 02:56PM JST More like asking not to have something you find disgusting or dirty. Like a plate with sticky fingerprints on it. Or a glass with someone else's lipstick on it. Or stewed cockroach.

Just because somebody believes that pork is dirty, doesn't mean they are right and doesn't mean they should be respected for it. I find it hard to respect anybody who watches reality TV or any of those cooking shows like Master Chef.

The guy is in detention in Japan, I'd say it's a special case. This made me think....if I were in, say, Saudi Arabia, and demanded to eat pork because I have to eat it, is that any different from a Muslim saying he/she mustn't eat it? Could I demand to be served pork in a Muslim country because my religion allows it? What if my religion said I must eat pork?

What a lot of fuss over nothing. Some people seem to spend their lives looking for something to complain about.

Let me guess ... apart from a free visa, how much compensation does he want?

Sounds like they get pretty good food there too! Bacon/ham topped salad is certainly quite beyond what could be expected. I love his dedication to his "hunger strike" though. Whiny little man, ship him out in a hurry, please!

When in doubt, just don't eat it. Don't expect cooks in another culture to accommodate to your BELIEFS. Imagine telling the detention center, "I only eat gluten free bread. Sorry, guys. Bring me another one."

If Allah will allow muslims to eat pork and drink alcohol to deceive the infedels, im sure he will forgive them for unknowingly eating pork... unless he knew it was pork and ate it just to be an upstart and get back at his captors. Allah will be ok with that too... anything to persecute people with different beliefs.

This is not only a question about his religion but also what he don't want to eat, for example, vegans, a person who only consumption is green stuff, what if some mistake he was served meat, without realizing it, he ate it, then, knowingly latter he eat meat that definitely piss him off, or, about people who only want to eat meat, what if his food has vegie in there...sound ridiculous, but this is what i respect about japan, they respect other people not cuz his right but this is how they do it at their country, respect.

So, this is a question of respect unlike some country who claim he is a leader of free country that defended liberty and democracy and very human right yet they are the most hypocrite.

Other news site says it was macaroni salad with bacon in it ... in a bento box supplied by an outside contractor to the detention center. He tasted it and "immediately spat it out". Then went on hunger strike.

How could he NOT see pieces of bacon mixed in with macaroni salad?

A pious Muslim is naturally offended if served any pig meat. A Japanese would be offended if served a bowl of rice with the chopsticks inserted vertically. Many of us from outside these cultures may not understand but it doesn't take much effort to respect and accommodate these particular aspects of their cultures.