Support Pours in for Eatery Owner Following Boycott Threats for Feeding Dogs
"Dogs are haram, people look at them and are disgusted!" Such was one comment directed at a restaurant owner in Johor Bahru who received boycott threats simply for feeding stray animals.
The Unsettling Encounter
Fifty-year-old Masha, the owner of Restoran Salai Star, recalled that business was good for the first two months after opening, but dropped significantly in the third month. She felt discouraged, having already spent money to pay her workers’ salaries. The reason for this drop in business became clear when Masha was out filming a video of her feeding strays: she was approached by two individuals who threatened to boycott her restaurant.
The Threats and the Video
"They scolded me, saying, ‘You’re Malay, right? Muslim? Why do you want to feed dogs? Dogs are haram, people look at them and are disgusted!’ They then threatened to spread photos of me feeding the dogs, so that residents here would boycott my shop," Masha shared.
In response, Masha posted a video on TikTok, in which she can be seen feeding dogs and commenting on the behavior of those who threatened to boycott her establishment. "If there are leftovers, why not feed them? Why throw it away into the rubbish bin?" she says in the clip. "Allah grants blessings and rewards, so really think about it. Animals are Allah’s creations who want to live on this earth, too."
The Viral Video and the Response
This video quickly went viral, with netizens quick to praise her efforts in the comments, and customers flocking to her restaurant. In fact, business picked up so unexpectedly that Masha was caught off-guard. "People began coming to support my restaurant and offer words of encouragement. I felt bad because we weren’t able to offer the best service owing to the sheer number of customers," she said.
A Business and a Passion
Masha, who also runs a business selling pet food, supplements, and petcare products, acknowledged that animal lovers such as herself often have to put up with criticism and even verbal abuse. "I fed Milo, the stray in my video, after encountering the two individuals. I remembered their boycott threats and felt sad. Milo is a good dog, he’s not the type to come into my shop. He just wanted food from afar, so I fed him some distance away from my premises."
Support and Understanding
Masha’s son Khairin, who helps out at the restaurant, noted that as Muslims, they understand the need to maintain boundaries with dogs. "We don’t hold the dogs or hug them – we don’t even touch them," the 27-year-old stressed, adding that he and his family ensure cleanliness and halal aspects are always observed. "But if an animal needs help, we help. It’s not an issue."
Conclusion
The response to Masha’s video has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising her efforts to feed the strays and promote compassion and kindness. It is clear that the community is divided on the issue, with some opposing her actions and others supporting her efforts. As the debate continues, one thing is certain: Masha’s actions have sparked a conversation that is not easily forgotten.
FAQs
Q: Why did Masha’s business drop in the third month?
A: Masha’s business dropped in the third month due to boycott threats from individuals who opposed her decision to feed strays.
Q: What was Masha’s response to the boycott threats?
A: Masha posted a video on TikTok, in which she fed dogs and commented on the behavior of those who threatened to boycott her establishment.
Q: How did the community respond to Masha’s video?
A: The community responded overwhelmingly positively, with many praising her efforts to feed the strays and promote compassion and kindness.
Q: Is Masha’s business still open?
A: Yes, Restoran Salai Star is still open and continues to receive support from the community.