Posted on 12/17/2005 9:01:21 PM PST by LibWhacker
By TREVOR PADDENBURG 18dec05
A WA hospital has scrubbed baked ham from its Christmas menu, fearing Muslim patients could be offended.
It has also overhauled its entire menu so that all meals are now halal – containing only meat and other food prepared according to Muslim customs.
But Port Hedland Regional Hospital staff and many non-Muslim patients are outraged, saying it is a case of political correctness gone mad.
Kitchen staff are so angry that they have organised a petition demanding ham be put back on the Christmas menu.
Other WA hospitals are also introducing halal dining, though the Health Department says Port Hedland is the only one to convert its entire menu to suit Muslims.
Hospital directors decided to axe the traditional festive season baked ham because of the high percentage of Muslim patients.
Eating pork or ham is forbidden under Muslim custom.
Until now, Muslims were asked to supply their own food if they did not want to eat hospital fare.
The hospital's nursing director, Judy Davis, said though ham was not on the menu, Christian patients would not miss out on festive cheer.
"We'll still make Christmas special – we've got prawns and all sorts of other special treats," she said.
But one long-time Port Hedland hospital worker told The Sunday Times the menu change was "unAustralian".
"It's going to be a boring old Christmas lunch for the patients," he said.
"After all, what's Christmas without a ham, or Sunday morning without bacon and eggs?
"The management of the hospital are unable to stand up to a minority and keep our Australian way of life intact. They are bowing to the pressure of a select few."
He warned that the only politically correct fare would soon be "a bowl of rice and a cup of tea".
"No wonder the true-blue Australians are getting angry," he said.
"Now all we need is for someone of the Hindu faith to jump up and down and we'll have no beef.
"Before we know it, if you're sick in Port Hedland, you will have to be happy with a diet of boiled rice and a cup of tea."
A Health Department spokeswoman said the menu change was about meeting the needs of the Islamic community.
She denied it meant sacrificing Christian traditions.
"Port Hedland has one of the largest Muslim communities outside the capital cities of Australia, and has done so for many years," the spokeswoman said.
"Changes to the menu meant pork and ham were no longer offered to patients.
"However, other meat and alternatives are available."
She said no patients had complained, but the Health Department was aware that staff at Port Hedland were unhappy.
"We are aware that staff would like ham for Christmas lunch, and this will be provided by the hospital," the spokeswoman said.
"The majority of hospitals try to take into account the different patient mix when deciding on their menu, and offer several choices."
This looks like a member of Congress.
It's called a menu because it has various items on it. You choose the ones you want and ignore the others. Why is this concept so difficult for those infected with PC disease?
One may assume that Jews who keep kosher will no longer be admitted as patients.
My Mother in law who had a very dear single Jewish friend from work would always have her over for dinners at thanksgiving etc. Invariably she would have a new plate and utensils just for her. Almost all food was cooked in disposable allumiun roasters , cookers, etc. It wasn't perfect but it was an attempt.
I am so glad I ordered a beautiful 9lb Honeybaked Ham for Christmas. I'll be even happier if I have leftovers!
I am so sick of Muslims and their customs.
LOL! I LOVE it. :o)
Exactly. Such is their "ummah".
Bread and water is a most appropriate menu for offended Muslims.
I hope he never finds out, or she's in trouble.
Let them eat chick peas!
I think Mr. Beamish captures my feelings perfectly vis-a-vis Muslim dietary habits, and their incompatability with Western tastes.
Thanks for the ping, former dodger...sorry i'm way late in responding.
Somebody should aerosolize pork rinds and put it into the air, thus making the hospital a jihad free zone..
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.