Photo by [Halaal Summit]
Malaysia – Over the years, Halaal, closely associated with Islamic dietary principles, has evolved into a global phenomenon with a far-reaching effect on diverse facets of life, including financial matters, fashion, and various lifestyle choices.
Halaal, an Arabic term denoting what is permissible or lawful, comprises a comprehensive set of guidelines and regulations derived from the Holy Quran and the teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). While it encompasses all aspects of a Muslim’s life, its primary focus is on food and beverages, delineating what is permissible for consumption and what is not.
In modern times, Halaal has transcended geographical boundaries and is no longer confined to predominantly Muslim countries. The migration of Muslims to various countries and religious conversions has increased food production companies, fast-food chains, and restaurants pursuing Halaal certification.
Nevertheless, many South African Muslims harbour doubts about the authenticity and credibility of these international certifications and other countries’ food, raw materials and products.
So, How Can Muslims Worldwide Trust the Halaal Process?
In an interview with Salaamedia, Moulana Zakariyah Philander, who serves as the Chief Operating Officer at the Muslim Judicial Council, explained that every country has its own Halaal accreditation organisation and several Halaal certifying bodies.
But what sets these two entities apart? Halaal certifying bodies verify that food, products, and services comply with Islamic laws. Typically, they collaborate directly with food manufacturers and businesses to guarantee that their preparation methods and other processes adhere to the required Halaal standards.
Consequently, Halaal accreditors serve as overseers for Halaal certifying bodies. Their role involves establishing guidelines and regulations for these certifiers, ensuring they consistently adhere to the best Halaal practices.
Despite the possibility of varying viewpoints among Halaal certifying bodies, their ultimate objective remains the same. To safeguard the Muslim community’s interests in their respective countries by ensuring the availability of the finest and most trustworthy products and services which uphold their faith without compromise.
“Muslims should trust the process because it is a trustworthy and credible process. There might be differences of opinion with regard to Fiqh, but that is something that we can live with and is not a cause of harm in the Deen …There is an assured methodology that is employed by the relevant authorities. It is very stringent, complies with their understanding of the Shariah, and complies with their understanding of food hygiene and cleanliness. It is very sophisticated, and so we trust those opinions.”
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The Global Halaal Summit
The 2023 instalment of the Global Halaal Summit is presently underway in Malaysia. This event is being hosted by the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) and has been a longstanding tradition since its inception in 2006.
The primary objective of this summit is to facilitate the exchange of ideas and the discussion of various Halaal-related matters, encompassing opportunities and challenges faced by both accreditors and certifiers. Furthermore, it ensures that accreditors and certifiers commit to implementing more effective Halaal practices.
“We’re not only talking about challenges, but we’re also talking about developmental opportunities and how we want to see Halaal going into the future.”
In his capacity as a participant in the summit, Moulana Philander noted the impressive attendance, which includes over 40 global Halaal accreditors and more than 80 global Halaal certifying bodies. He emphasised the presence of these international organisations serves as a testament to the collective awareness shared by Muslims worldwide concerning Islamic law.
“We also find that the Muslim consumer is much more conscious globally. So, while in the past, there was perhaps less consciousness about Halaal, the consumer in general today is more educated and more advanced. [We have] consumers that want to live up to the ideals of [Islam].”
