TikToker slams Ikea for not having halal food at Alexandra outlet, netizens call him entitled

A TikToker who posted a video criticising Ikea for not having halal food options at their Alexandra outlet has drawn fire, including from fellow Muslims, for being too entitled.

He then posted another video doubling down on his criticism of the Swedish furniture chain, and questioning the agenda of those who steered their comments towards race and religion.

Jay Ishaq Rajoo, whose TikTok handle is jay.ishhaq.rajoo, said he was at Ikea Alexandra - or Ikea in Queenstown, as he called it - for the Swedish meatballs but discovered there wasn't a halal section there.

"So, I guess, no food for us Muslims. Thank you, Ikea, for being so understanding," he says sarcastically in the first video, posted on Aug 29.

He then adds that the restaurant at Ikea Tampines serves halal food and asks if it is too difficult to have one at its Alexandra outlet.

"Don't Muslims come and buy your stuff?" he says at the end of the 33-second video, filmed at the outlet's restaurant.

The video had 58,200 views and 986 reactions at press time, but comments had been turned off. It was also shared by robinhoot.sg on Instagram where it received 741 reactions and 458 comments.

Netizens seemed unimpressed by Mr Jay.

"What would your argument be if lactose intolerant, vegan, vegetarian and other food choices raked up a fuss? Him not having his meal choice does not mean he will starve. Singapore literally has a hundred other choices the moment you turn around. Why throw a tantrum like a 5yr old?" said an Instagram user.

"As a Muslim... I tell you, don't be so entitled! World doesn't revolve around you. Wanna eat halal? Go tampines ikea or jurong. Don't make a fuss," said another.

"Bro, dont be a self-entitled muslim.. No-Halal food just bloody move on lah.. Im a muslim and not bothered about the need for IKEA to cater for Muslim. Don't make Islam look like the whole world needs to cater to us," said one user.

Some even gave practical advice: "Walk to the next building just beside. Alexandra Central. Have a lot of halal options there. Although a few halal options in IKEA itself would be great. I don't think it's worth complaining about."

While yet another user said: "Bro, I'm a Muslim. We don't go to Ikea to makan. Stop stirring."

But Mr Jay says in his second video, posted on Sept 1, that the first post was without "ulterior motive to stir anything", and that he wanted to push "critical thinking".

While he says his first clip was meant to be sarcastic, he notes that halal food is not an entitlement but a dietary requirement, and that Muslims would have contributed to Ikea's total revenue at the Alexandra outlet.

"Ikea knows its customers. It has been here since 1978…to provide an extra service to customers and not bothering to serve halal food is just carelessness on the part of Ikea. Simply bo chap (indifferent in Hokkien)," he said, even citing several social initiatives carried out in Singapore by the furniture company.

Questioning the motives of commenters who steered the conversation towards religion and race, he declares that he would always stand up for anyone who is unfairly treated.

Mr Jay ends the video urging unity, and stating that he had not intended to offend anyone.

The second clip, lasting seven minutes and 19 seconds and posted on Sept 1, had considerably fewer views than the first. Comments were also turned off.

Mr Jay is no stranger to controversy.

Between July and August 2023, he was issued with three correction orders from the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) Office for publishing videos containing falsehoods about voting secrecy, CPF policies and HDB flat affordability.

On July 31 last year, he was issued a two-year conditional warning by the Pofma Office for failing to comply fully with those orders.

On Sept 30 last year, his original TikTok account was also banned for violating community standards.

In response to The New Paper's queries, an Ikea Singapore spokesperson noted that the Swedish chain's Tampines outlet offers halal food options. "With its larger store footprint, IKEA Tampines accommodates a dedicated halal kitchen, serving lines, and other facilities required for halal preparation."

Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from Ikea Singapore.