Non-Muslim man in M'sia keeps IC on table while dining out during Ramadan to 'avoid getting slapped'

A non-Muslim man in Sabah, Malaysia, Verdinandus Kornelis, recently took to Facebook to share a lighthearted take on the scrutiny he faces while eating during Ramadan.

On Mar. 23, Verdinandus posted a photo of himself with a meal set before him, alongside something peculiar on the table: his identity card.

Why?

In his Facebook post, he said, rather humorously, that he did to avoid being slapped.

His comment was a reference to a recent incident where a non-Muslim man was allegedly assaulted for eating in public during the fasting month.

Verdinandus, a Catholic Christian, shared that he is often mistaken for a Muslim due to his Malay features and has frequently been questioned about eating during Ramadan.

Sometimes, he also tries to prominently show the tattoo of Jesus that he has on his arm whenever he dines outside.

Just recently, another non-Muslim man, Elijah, shared on X that he was slapped by an elderly man while eating at a convenience store in Johor Bahru.

According to Elijah, the man approached him, inquired about his ethnicity, and demanded to see his identity card.

When Elijah refused, the elderly man struck him.

In response to comments that suggested he was overreacting, Verdinandus pointed out that his concerns were not unfounded.

He touched on his personal experience over the past 11 years, saying he is questioned “almost every week” about why he doesn't fast whenever he dines at mamak stalls during Ramadan.