In response to a broader boycott initiative, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has declared a prohibition on the purchase and consumption of dates originating from Israel, labeling them as haram under Islamic law. This directive, as articulated by Sudarmoto, the council's head of international relations, aligns with a 2023 edict emphasizing the importance of supporting the Palestinian cause. "If you come across Israeli dates, please don't buy those," Sudarmoto emphasized. The MUI has also identified specific Israeli date brands to avoid, such as "Star Dates," "Dates Medjoul," and "Jordan River."
Medjool dates, highly regarded for their quality and extensively consumed in Indonesia, especially during Ramadan and Idul Fitri, are primarily produced in Israel, accounting for half of the global supply. Annually, the world sees a production of approximately 108,000 tons of Medjool dates.
Source: thejakartapost.com
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