Johor Bahru Restaurant Owner Receives Overwhelming Support After Controversial Feeding of Stray Dogs

A 50-year-old restaurant owner in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, has seen a dramatic shift in support after initially facing boycott threats for feeding stray dogs outside her eatery. Masha, the owner of Restoran Salai Star, opened her restaurant in July 2024 and enjoyed steady business at first. However, after a decline in sales in her third month, Masha faced unexpected challenges.

The turning point came when Masha was confronted by two individuals while feeding stray dogs near her restaurant. The men accused her of violating Islamic norms, as feeding dogs is considered “haram” or forbidden in Islam. They threatened to spread photos of her actions and incite a boycott of her business.

In response to the backlash, Masha addressed the controversy in a TikTok video on November 20, 2024, where she defended her actions. In the viral video, she explained that she was simply feeding the hungry strays and had never touched them. She clarified that her intention was one of compassion, emphasising that all creatures, including dogs, are part of God’s creation.

“Some people have sent me harsh messages, saying I shouldn’t feed the dogs,” she said in the video. “But the dog is also God’s creation. Why throw away food when I can help an animal in need?” Masha appealed to those threatening her business, urging them to stop and to understand her good intentions.

Masha’s son, Khairin, who helps run the restaurant, also spoke up, explaining that their practices are always in line with halal guidelines, and they never touch the dogs, but simply offer food when needed.

One particular dog, Milo, who appeared in the video, had a special significance. Masha explained that Milo is a well-behaved dog who only wanted food from a distance and never entered the restaurant. She fed him away from the premises to ensure cleanliness was maintained.

In the aftermath of her TikTok video, Masha received an outpouring of support. The video quickly went viral, amassing over 200,000 views, with many people expressing admiration for her empathy towards animals. Several users reshared the video, encouraging others to support her business.

One Facebook page, Kisah Jalanan, shared the video and received over 30,000 likes and 8,000 comments, with many commenters praising Masha for her kindness. While acknowledging that keeping dogs as pets is often considered haram, they argued that feeding hungry animals should be seen as a compassionate act.

The response from the public resulted in a surge of customers at Masha’s restaurant. The increased demand left the restaurant staff overwhelmed, but Masha expressed immense gratitude for the support. “I was so surprised by how quickly business picked up,” she said, noting that she was unable to provide the best service due to the sheer volume of customers. Nonetheless, the overwhelming positivity has been a welcome turn of events, and Masha is now filled with gratitude for the customers who have stood by her.