University Co-op Dining Halls Offer Halal Menus

Japanese

In the future, there will be an increase in the number of international students from overseas. It is hoped that Japanese university co-ops can contribute to international exchange in the university.

Cultural or religious differences may prevent international students from eating the same meals as Japanese students. To make sure these students can enjoy their meals in the cafeteria the same way as Japanese students, we have started offering halal menus. Halal refers to things that are allowed under Islamic guidelines.

Halal standards vary according to religious sects and regions. We can only accomplish this initiative because we have identified members who utilize each cafeteria and can develop close relationships with them. In spite of the fact that this service is not yet available at all university co-ops in Japan, we have heard from international students at universities with this service that they are pleased that they can eat with their friends in the cafeteria. By sharing these kinds of comments, we hope to spread this initiative to other university co-ops nationwide.

After consulting with the university, the University of Miyazaki Co-op now provides halal food to international students

Ordering halal food

Providing halal food

The University of Miyazaki Co-op had already started handling halal food products at the food corner of the co-op store, which led to an international student representing the Muslim community at the University of Miyazaki requesting halal food services in the cafeteria.

When we listened to the international students' concerns regarding halal and haram cooking rules, we decided to provide instant halal curry and freshly baked halal-certified bread, as they seemed feasible in the cafeteria kitchen environment.

Curry price card

Halal bread price card

Bakery corner

Upon consulting the International Relations Division of the University of Miyazaki about halal food provision, we learned that the university actively publicized the service to international students by translating posters into English. The staff members expressed their gratitude. The international students who actually came to eat at the restaurant were also very grateful. We are all very happy that we were able to make this happen.

An international student came with the entire family and enjoyed halal food