Viral

Couple Disallowed From Taking Free Ramadan Snacks At Tampines FairPrice Outlet, Supermarket Chain Apologises

Indian-Muslim Couple Say FairPrice Staff Disallowed Them From Ramadan Snacks & Shooed Them Away

During the fasting month of Ramadan, some businesses offer free iftar (break fast) food for Muslims.

One of them is FairPrice, which is handing out free drinks and snacks in Iftar Packs for its Muslim customers during Ramadan.

However, a woman and her husband said they were disallowed from taking these treats at the FairPrice outlet in Our Tampines Hub (OTH).

Instead, the staff there shooed them away, she added.

The supermarket chain has apologised for the incident.

Muslim couple came across iftar treats at FairPrice OTH on 9 Apr

In a Facebook post on Sunday (9 Apr), the OP, Ms Farah Nadya, said she and her husband were grocery shopping at FairPrice OTH that evening.

Source: Farah Nadya on Facebook

That was when they came across some complimentary iftar treats, comprising dates, chocolate fudge bars, Milo and sparking lemonade.

Source: Farah Nadya on Facebook

They initially thought it was a sweet gesture, but what happened after that left a sour taste in their mouths.

FairPrice staff disallowed them from taking Ramadan snacks

To their surprise, a male staff member allegedly approached Ms Farah’s husband and told him, “Not for India, not for India!”

 

In disbelief, he replied, “What?” Ms Farah claimed that the staff member then proceeded to tell them to “go away”.

Source: Google Maps

Ms Farah said she and her husband tried to explain to him that the snacks were for all Muslims. Not all Malays are Muslims, and some Indians can be Muslims, they added.

However, the staff member allegedly replied,

I don’t know. I no education, the top people tell me to say like this. I don’t know. Just go away.

Couple shocked over incident

Ms Farah found this incident shocking and “incredibly distasteful”.

She confirmed that she and her husband are both Muslims, she being Malay-Indian and her husband, Indian-Muslim.

They weren’t even intending to take the snacks but ironically stopped by just to applaud the initiative as they found it inclusive.

However, they ended up disappointed instead, with Ms Farah saying,

This is 2023. I’m sure we can do better!

FairPrice apologises for incident

In a Facebook post on Monday (10 Apr), FairPrice apologised for the incident, saying they take the matter seriously.

Source: NTUC FairPrice on Facebook

They clarified that the Iftar Packs are free for all Muslims during Ramadan, as it has been in the 15 years they’ve been doing this.

The snacks are usually offered 30 minutes before and after iftar, they added, and this will continue till 21 Apr — the last day of Ramadan.

Employee has been counselled

As for the staff member involved, they’ve counselled him accordingly, FairPrice said.

The couple has also been contacted to address their concerns.

The matter has been closed amicably, the supermarket added.

Speaking to Channel NewsAsia (CNA), Ms Farah confirmed that FairPrice had contacted her and offered a hamper as an apology.

The couple declined it, though they appreciated the quick customer service recovery.

She also told them that they didn’t make the post intending for the staff to be reprimanded, but to create awareness.

Ultimately, Ms Farah hoped that the incident would prompt FairPrice to better train their staff. This is especially for those who interact with customers.

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from Farah Nadya on Facebook and Google Maps.

Jeremy Lee

Analog person making do with a digital world.

Recent Posts

Man’s iPhone lands in temple donation box, temple denies return request as it’s ‘deity’s property’

He was, however, allowed to retrieve the data from his phone.

24 Dec 2024, 4:51 pm

Cosmetic surgeon in Japan slammed for posting videos of corpses during dissection training

She explained that her intention was to share the unique learning opportunity with her colleagues.

24 Dec 2024, 3:28 pm

Inside look: Here’s how your Shopee parcels get to you in 24 hours

Give the deliveryman a warm hello the next time you receive a parcel from Shopee.

24 Dec 2024, 2:10 pm

7 killed, including toddler & S’porean woman, in collision involving tour bus, trailer & MPV in M’sia

33 others were injured in the crash, believed to have been caused by a lorry…

24 Dec 2024, 1:09 pm

Beggar near Waterloo Street presumably earns S$10 in 5 minutes, sparks debate

The beggar has reportedly not showed up in the last few days.

24 Dec 2024, 12:29 pm

‘Grab? My a**’: Driver in Thailand berated by woman accusing him of being her daughter’s boyfriend

The mother later called the driver to apologise for her outburst.

24 Dec 2024, 12:07 pm