Sago Worms Haram

Photo from lyick81.blogspot.com

The sago worms or ulat mulong or in Melanau si'et have been declared as haram for consumption by the Sarawak Mufti's Office today.

The reasons given are them being unclean and that they live in dual world or environment. 

Haram means 'forbidden' and is a concept in Islam which is not only limited to food but also prohibits a Muslim from doing something harmful to themselves or to others in terms of health or social standing (e.g. theft, gambling, gossiping, adultery, drinking, smoking). 

Now, this morning's news caught me by surprise. I myself have been consuming this grub for years along with other Melanau and non-Melanau Muslims. For one, they consume the sago tree trunk voraciously until they can undergo metamorphosis into the sago palm weevil or Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (pictured left), not unhygienic carcasses which would be understandable. 

As for the 'dual worlds' or dua alam, this refers to animals living in two different environment like amphibious animals such as frogs, crocodiles (obviously) and the Swamp Creature. In what way is the sago grub considered a 'dual world' creature needs further explanation. Is it because it goes through metamorphosis? One stage living inside a trunk while at the latter stage flying around? If that's so then some species of birds which starts off inside a tree trunk or a hole in the ground before learning to fly are haram.

I may sound like criticising the professionals but then again the Quran has told Muslims to think critically (not follow blindly and chant death to the infidels/insert race like what many keyboard warriors are doing). Not that I'm doubting the research done to prove that they're haram, but I do wish to to receive more explanation on it either in tomorrow's news or in the Mufti's website. This is a sudden kill-switch to the hundred-years of Melanau tradition and culture, just like how telling vegetarians that vegetarian chicken is not okay one day.

P/S: Although haram, Muslims are permitted to consume haram things during the time of emergency e.g. war, famine, natural disaster, where all source of halal food is lost. And if you're wondering, the sago worm is high in protein and suitable if you're lost in the jungle with no food. The sago worm contains:

Protein 25.8g

Fat 38.5g

Ash 2.1g

Carbohydrates 33.2g

Energy (kcal) 583

Amino Acids (g/100g dry weight)

Aspartic acid 2.29g

Threonine* 1.15g

Serine 1.33g

Glycine 1.04g

Alanine 1.37g

Valine* 0.81g

Methionine* 0.27g

Isoleucine* 0.75g

Leucine* 1.62g

Tyrosine* 0.97g

Phenulalanine* 0.73g

Histidine* 1.02g

Lysine* 1.72g

Arginine 1.62g

Tryptophan* 0.23g

*Essential amino acid