The Halal Journal - Sep/Oct 2006 by The Halal Journal

AUSTRALIA AU$6.50 • MALAYSIA RM9.90 • SINGAPORE S$5.50 • UAE DHS10 • UK £2.95

PP 13884/ 10/ 2006 | MICA (P) 135/ 12/ 2005

| kasehdia.com | www.halaljournal.com | SEPT+OCT 2006

HALAL RESTAURANT PROMOTION FOR VMY 2007 HALAL COSMETICS The Cost of Beauty AMISH RAISED, HALAL PROCESSED The search for really fresh chickens

A Challenge for Muslim Scientists in an Age of Reason

Halal Science

GOOD IDEA, Cluster Logistics Can banks help build Halal Economy with Zakat? US celebrates Beef Returns

A Muslim Scientist in Halal Science Centre, Bangkok

LIVING: HALAL, FAIR TRADE & ORGANIC ENAK KL ISLAM: A SACRED LAW JORDAN: GATEWAY FOR WEST ASIA AIDILFITRI PEWTER FROM ROYAL SELANGOR

The Premier Global Halal Industry Event

www.halaljournal.com | ISSN 1823 1411 • PP 13884/ 10/ 2006 • MICA (P) 135/ 12/ 2005

SEPT+OC T 2006

contents 20} FEATURE 1

Cosmetics Industry: How Halal Factors In

23}

COVER STORY: HALAL SCIENCE

A challenge for Muslim scientists in an age of reason

30} FEATURE 2

Dr. Winai: The leading Halal scientist gives his take on Halal science

34} FEATURE HIGHLIGHT

Definitive Halal Guide to support Visit Malaysia 2007

35} FEATURE 3

A Dutch came over to teach us a thing or two on cluster logistics

38} FASTRACK ASIA

Malaysia: JAKIM c ertification to be strengthened Inner Mongolia: Beef producers should have high morals

40} FASTRACK AUSTRALASIA

The first Halal trade show in Oz

42} FASTRACK AFRICA

Halal promotion in South Africa

44} FASTRACK EUROPE

France: Halal update in Zizouland Germany: Can more Muslims be great footballers?

46} FASTRACK AMERICAS

US: Ever wondered how fresh poultry can be? Let’s try the Amish way US: Leading natural and organic producer now Halal certified

50} FINANCE

DISCLAIMER : While all care is taken, the publisher accepts no responsibility for the information contained herein which is believed to be reliable. The publisher/editor takes no responsibility for opinions expressed or implied as they are the writers’ own and do not necessarily reflect that of the publisher or editor who make no warranties governing material, including advertising or features contained within this publication. This publication may not in whole or part, be copied, reproduced or translated without prior written permission of the publisher.

Ed’s Note IT IS EXCITING TIMES FOR THE HALAL INDUSTRY MARIAM ABDUL LATIF, Secretariat members, Codex Alimentarius Commission

“ The revised version of the MS1500:2004 is further strengthened and more comprehensive outlining practical guidelines to produce Halal food “

Regulars 08} QUIETLY SPOKEN Who is winning in the Halal market? 08} GLOBAL NEWS Your quick reference of Halal development around the globe, updated Calendar of Events + reader’s poll 15} BETWEEN THE LINES: International Halal Industry Alliance gets under way 16} MATRADE NEWS MATRADE in Dubai and Johannesburg

Living 55} ETHICAL CONSUMERISM? NO THANKS! Because Halal is already an allencompassing concept 58} BROWSING We checked out Cape Town-based acapella group, Iman; reviewed Islam: A Sacred Law and ate at Enak KL in Kuala Lumpur 59} ON DISPLAY Halal and good stuﬀ currently on the shelf 60} COUNTRY IN FOCUS Jordan – Gateway for West Asia 64} PARTING WORDS Get a ﬁrst hand view on how Halal went global

In August alone the Government of Malaysia announced the names of the chairman and chief executive officer of the Halal Industry Corporation (HDC) and unveiled the Third Industrial Masterplan (IMP3) with a strong focus on Halal. The HDC is a corporation fully owned by the Government of Malaysia and the IMP3 is a 15-year strategic roadmap that will bring Malaysia to 2020, the year the country aims to become a developed nation. We’ve come across Islamic councils, government bodies, committees and learning institutions that deal with Halal, but this is the first time a government is creating an entire corporation to deal specifically with the business of Halal. This move will have a strong positive ripple effect around the world. Already planned in September, Australia and Dubai will launch their first ever Halal trade shows and Thailand will kick off with the 1st International Halal Science Symposium. The WHF Industry Dialogue (a program of the World Halal Forum) which has already taken place in Brunei, will also happen in Melbourne and Dubai. The International Halal Industry (IHI) Alliance, a nonprofit making corporation created from a resolution of the WHF in May 2006, is also going through the final finetuning before it launches its services to the world. The office of The Halal Journal is buzzing with excitement and work(!) as we rush to cover all the developments for our readers and deal with the various requests for endorsements and to become media partners. For up-to-date news, please visit www.halaljournal. com where we update the stories daily. So watch this space. Halal is on the move and is picking up speed.

the Halal Journal team

KASEHDIA HALAL GUIDES EDITOR Jumaatun Azmi WRITER Kamarul Aznam Kamaruzaman CONTRIBUTING WRITER Tong Yee Siong Sharifah Shazana Syed Salim Agha DIRECTOR, RESEARCH & INTELLIGENCE Abdalhamid Evans

“The world’s first series of Halal food restaurant guides.” Asian Wall Street Journal

Top 3 ‘Best Guide in the World’ for 2004 Gourmand Awards

PROJECT MANAGER Salama Evans GRAPHIC & DESIGN M. Zailan DIRECTOR, SALES & DISTRIBUTION Nordin Abdullah

CORPORATE MANAGING DIRECTOR Jumaatun Azmi EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Nordin Abdullah DIRECTORS Abdalhamid Evans Fareen Shazli Ali

KASEHDIA SDN BHD

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Muslims are not competing in the global Halal market, they are losing! During the last FIFA World Cup, like many other areas of endeavor, Muslim nations were there competing but did not really make much of an impact, while some individual Muslims made a lasting impact, but that is another story all together. The global Halal market is moving at a fast pace and with big players, like Brazil, Argentina, Australia, USA, UK and the EU nations. Breaking into their game is not going to be easy. Let’s look at this from a different angle. When carrying a heavy load the first thing that enters one head is, “I wish there was someone here to help me”. The first thing that enters a businessman’s head when looking upon an opportunity is “I want this all to myself”, nations are no better. Looking at the global Halal market, we want it all to our selves; yet it is more like the first example, feeding the world Halal food is not an easy task, and it is guaranteed that you will not be able to do it all by yourself, so make the journey easier, let’s start working together. Muslim nations and populations of South East Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines and Singapore, all hold key strengths to take advantage of the developments, no doubt a few individual companies have succeeded, cooperation is imperative for the simple fact that alone no nation holds all the key factors for a sustained success hj against the global giants.

THE HALAL JOURNAL

“This will provide a fast transit time for sensitive refrigerated cargoes from MISC Logistics Sdn Bhd (MILS) facilities in Port Klang to its distribution facilities in Jebel Ali for West Asian market. “

Jebel Ali

Port Klang

Mark Piet

Quietly Spoken

GlobalNEWS

MALAYSIA

MISC TO LAUNCH THE HALAL EXPRESS SERVICE

MISC Bhd plans to launch a weekly liner service, The Halal Express Service, which will cover ports from Straits of Malacca to West Asia and other areas with the first sailing planned for September 2006. In a statement, the shipping firm said the services would have a direct call at Port Klang and Jebel Ali in Dubai. “This will provide a fast transit time for sensitive refrigerated cargoes from MISC Logistics Sdn Bhd (MILS) facilities in Port Klang to its distribution facilities in Jebel Ali for West Asian market. The service will also be supporting the first end-to-end Halal supply chain in the region,” it said. The statement said MILS has set up a multi-million ringgit halal hub facilities in Port Klang in line with the plan to turn Malaysia into a regional Halal centre for the Asian region. | SOURCE: BERNAMA, 17/8/2006

DUBAI

DFSA ANNOUNCES MAJOR ISLAMIC FINANCE INITIATIVE WITH MALAYSIA

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) announced the commencement of a joint project with the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) designed to remove regulatory barriers to Islamic Finance transactions between the DIFC and Malaysia. The project was announced as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the two regulators in Kuala Lumpur. This project will involve detailed work to reconcile as far as possible the regulatory approach that each jurisdiction takes to Islamic Finance and other products, so that cross border transactions can be implemented with optimum efficiency and minimum replicated cost. Commenting on this initiative, David Knott, Chief Executive of the DFSA said: “The DFSA strongly admires the successful part played by the SC in assisting Malaysia to become the leading jurisdiction in Asia for originating Islamic Finance transactions. We share a similar vision for the DIFC which already has in place a tailor-made regulatory system for Islamic Finance.” Knott added, “By working closely with the SC we will identify ways to streamline the regulatory standards between our jurisdictions, thereby making it easier for funds managers and issuers to operate between Asia and the Middle East. This will include considering the eligibility of Malaysia as a ‘recognised jurisdiction’ under our funds management laws.” In relation to the MOU Knott added: “This new MOU with Malaysia will prove to be one of the most important entered into by the DFSA. It cements the close ties that already exist between us, and paves the way for future initiatives that will benefit both Malaysia and the UAE. The support expressed for this relationship by Malaysia’s Minister of Finance, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, reflects the importance that he places on this special regulatory relationship, and is much appreciated by the DFSA.” | SOURCE: AMEINFO, 16/8/2006

DUBAI

DUBAI COOPERATIVE SOCIETY AL ISLAMI REPORTS JUMP IN SALES

Al Islami, the leading provider of Halal foods in the Middle East region, reported its gross sales grew to AED151mn for 2005. Despite global challenges being faced by the poultry industry, Dubai Cooperative Society’s Al Islami brand continued to make forays into new markets during the past 12 months. The Halal food giant has entered into partnerships with local supermarkets to set up factories for meat production and processed food products in Iran. Al Islami has also introduced its products in the Saudi Arabian market through its dealers based in Al Riyadh. In an effort to further consolidate its regional presence, the company started shipping its products to Jordan last year. “Due to regional economic growth, the Dubai Cooperative Society has expanded its activities of production and retail Halal sales to all GCC countries and into strategic markets such as Iran and Jordan,” explained managing director Saleh Saeed Lootah. Certain highlights of the previous financial year include Al Islami’s dynamic corporate re-branding initiative, which saw the company win the award for “Most Creative Marketing Campaign” at the Halal Journal Awards 2006. The company was also a recipient at the Retail News ME awards for “Best Food Manufacturer in the GCC, 2006”. In an effort to accommodate the company’s growing operations, Al Islami built warehouses equipped with cold storage facilities with a capacity in excess of 2,000 tonnes and new modern offices built in accordance with latest architectural technologies. The CEO, Saleh Abdullah Lootah is optimistic about the company’s prospects. “With the Halal foods market continuing to show signs of strong growth, Al Islami’s expansion strategy will allow the company to tap the vast potential for growth in this sector; estimated to be worth $500 billion by 2010.” Already a regional market leader, Al Islami aims to continue making progress in an industry whose current global worth is estimated at $150 billion.

MALAYSIA

ABDULLAH APPOINTS DR SYED JALALUDIN AS CHAIRMAN OF HDC

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the appointment of Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Syed Jalaludin Syed Salim as the chairman of Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) and Datuk Jamil Bidin as the organisation’s chief executive officer. The Prime Minister said that both of them would report directly to the Prime Minister’s Department in view of the importance of the industry’s development in Malaysia. Dr Syed Jalaludin, 62, is currently the Chairman of Bank Rakyat. He is also the Chairman of Kolej Universiti Kejuruteraan Utara Malaysia (KUKUM), fellow Akademi Sains Malaysia, Trustee of the Malaysian Medical Association, Trustee of Amanah Capital Market Development Fund (CMDF), and also a member of the International Advisory Panel of International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCIEF). Other posts held are director of ESSO Malaysia Bhd, chairman of Kejuruteraan Samudra Timur Bhd and chairman of Ecofirst Consolidated Bhd. He was previously the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and had also served Universiti Malaya. For Jamil, 48, his previous positions included being the chief executive officer of Putera Capital Bhd, deputy president of Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd and chief executive officer of Abrar Group International Sdn Bhd. Abdullah said both Dr Syed Jalaludin and Jamil were highly experienced individuals and were capable of ensuring that HDC played the leading role in the implementation of all programmes and initiatives taken to develop the country’s Halal industry. The government, which has expressed its intention to develop Malaysia as a leading global hub for the provision of Halal products and services, announced the establishment of HDC during the Ninth Malaysia Plan. | SOURCE: BERNAMA, 10/8/2006

”We aim to make Brunei the gateway to Asean for Dixy Restaurants. We serve delicious food and create employment for the youth. We are flexible. East meets west in our food and the Malay touch will be coming on our food items.” Jawad Syed, the London-based Dixy Head Area Manager.

BRUNEI

WORLD’S LARGEST HALAL FRANCHISE OPENS BRUNEI BRANCH

Dixy Chicken, the leading London-based fast food restaurant, which specialises in Halal chicken, officially opens in Brunei. The Brunei franchise holder and managing director, Datin Hjh Habibah, is a regular Dixy customer in the United Kingdom, and is now part of our team, said Jawad Syed, the Londonbased Dixy Head Area Manager. ”We aim to make Brunei the gateway to Asean for Dixy Restaurants. We serve delicious food and create employment for the youth. We are flexible. East meets west in our food and the Malay touch will be coming on our food items. ”We are the world’s largest Halal franchise restaurant, with 150 franchises, and more coming into the UK, India, Pakistan, Norway, Saudi Arabia and Syria. We are expanding very fast. We are opening new restaurants almost every month. We are the world’s number three chicken restaurant, behind KFC and Popeye,” he added. Dixy offers over 50 food items including bean burgers and salads, low-fat grilled chicken breast burger, salt less, crispy French Fries that doesn’t turn soggy, and grilled chicken with periperi sauce. “We only serve fresh food. What we do not sell in one hour and a half, we dispose,” said Jawed. | SOURCE: TONY ALABASTRO, 31/7/2006

THE HALAL JOURNAL

GlobalNEWS “It is our aim to develop Malaysia as the Halal hub and a culinary competence centre while countries such as Thailand and Indonesia are strategic regional suppliers of liquid milks, the Philippines of milk powder and breakfast cereals and Singapore of malt extract,” Ariffin Buranudeen, Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd supply chain director MALAYSIA

NESTLE PICKS M’SIA AS HALAL HUB

LE T TER S

Nestle has chosen Malaysia as its global Halal food production centre to meet the growing demand for such products, Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd supply chain director Ariffin Buranudeen said. “More than 30% of Nestle (Malaysia) exports are for the Middle East. A large portion of our exports are also for the Indonesian market while Singapore and the Philippines, with substantial numbers of Muslims, are also important markets,” he said. He said the company is in a position to meet the demand for Halal food, which will rise in line with the growing global Muslim population of two billion. “It is our aim to develop Malaysia as the Halal hub and a culinary competence centre while countries such as Thailand and Indonesia are strategic regional suppliers of liquid milks, the Philippines of milk powder and breakfast cereals and Singapore of malt extract,” Ariffin said in an interview with FinancialDaily. Ariffin said Nestle will be talking to MISC Integrated Logistics Sdn Bhd (MILS), which has a Halal cold storage facility in West Port, Port Klang, on that matter. “More than (looking at) lower cost (of production), Nestle believes in maximising economies of scale,” he said to a question whether there are any plans for the company to relocate its production facilities to other lowcost countries. He added that Malaysia, which is in Nestle’s Asia-Oceania-Africa Zone, is the regional supplier of Kit Kat, Smarties, Milo and cereals. Ariffin said Nestle is consistently optimising its supply network and manufacturing assets in line with its business strategy to achieve long-term, sustainable and profitable growth. “Sourcing strategy and regional supply networks are designed to provide the best economies of scale and optimise resource utilisation to improve supply chain efficiency and competitive cost,” he said. On average, 70% of Nestle’s products for the Malaysian market are manufactured locally while 30% are imported. | SOURCE: THE EDGE DAILY, 21/8/2006

LETTER 1 : HALAL REGULATION Dear Editor, For your info, the Muslim organisation working group, which is chaired by David Statham, Director of FSA, has asked the Muslim organisation to draft a code of practice to ensure that the Halal food in the UK can be regulated. The project is been coordinated by Ruksana Shain, and her task is to develop a standard code of practice. For further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

LETTER 2 : DNA IN FOOD? Assalamualaikum, I am a PhD student in China and I recently learned that some of the foods produced may contain human DNA in them. If they can insert human DNA, isn’t it possible then to insert DNA of swine or any other animals? Also, what is the view of Islamic scholars regarding the Halal / Haram for foods of this nature? How rampant is this practice today and how come Muslim scientists are not addressing this concern? Appreciate your views in this.

Naved Syed Muslim Organisation Working Group

Ed: They are, just not widely known. Our cover story in this issue should answer your question. Hope it helps.

10 THE HALAL JOURNAL

GCC

KFH KEEN TO PROMOTE HALAL SECTOR IN GULF REGION

Kuwait Finance House (Malaysia) Bhd (KFH) is keen to promote Halal food industry in the Gulf region, says managing director, K. Salman Younis. ”We want to give more focus (provide financing need) on the Halal industry because Malaysia is producing a lot of Halal products and greater efforts were given to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries,” he told reporters after signing the services agreement between KFHMB and three Takaful companies here. Salman said the company hoped to bring in more foreign direct investments from GCC countries and assist local companies tap new Halal GCC market. “We want to promote two-way ties between Malaysia and GCC as there are a lot of activities going on now in the GCC countries,” he said. Apart from the Halal industry, Salman said the company was also looking forward to help Malaysian companies explore the Islamic Real Estate Investment Trusts market. “We are currently talking with four to five government-linked companies. We have been in discussions for almost nine months and we hope to see results in the next two to three months,” he said. | SOURCE: BERNAMA, 17/8/2006

HALAL JOURNAL ONLINE POLL “Is it acceptable for a Halal restaurant to serve alcohol in the same premise?” Not Sure 40%

Maybe 1%

Yes 15%

Chengbo Yang Beijing NO 80%

SOURCE: WWW.HALALJOURNAL.COM

GlobalNEWS Calendar of events

SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE LAUNCHES MUSLIM VISITORS GUIDE

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has launched a new Muslim Visitors Guide, as part of its campaign to attract visitors to the South East Asian Island state. The guide features essential information on annual events, cultural districts of Singapore, major shopping areas and vital visitor advice written specifically for Muslim tourists. It also features a list of restaurants certified by MUIS, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, so that visitors can comfortably find Halal food in a variety of Singaporean, Chinese, Malay, Indian and Middle Eastern eating places when they visit the country. The guide is being supported by a new Arabic language version of the popular Visit Singapore website, which features online updates of new attractions and festivals taking place. The guide complements the Uniquely Singapore Muslim Visitor’s Dining Guide, launched earlier this year, which contains an extensive range of Halal restaurants in Singapore, as well as a list of ‘Must Try’ local dishes. Copies of the new guide are available directly from Singapore Tourism Board or from their partners across the region. | SOURCE: AMEINFO, 21/7/2006

SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA SHOWS INTEREST IN ISLAMIC BANKING

THE success of Islamic banking in Malaysia has attracted South Africa to learn more about it, despite the country having a Muslim population of just over one million. Economic counsellor at the South African embassy, Sureiya Adam, said the interest in Islamic banking has been evident of late with visits made to Kuala Lumpur by some South African banks to learn more about it. “There is quite a number of Islamic banking areas that have attracted our banks,” she said, adding that the AmBank Group is believed to be in negotiations to set up an Islamic bank branch or provide Islamic banking services in the republic. However, she said the talks are still preliminary. One of South Africa’s largest financial services organisations, the Absa group, was recently reported to have stepped up its plans to provide full Islamic banking service to the country’s Muslim community. Sureiya was speaking to reporters after attending a seminar on doing business in South Africa, organised by the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) in Kuala Lumpur. In the seminar, the South African representative promoted the country’s premier location for new industrial investment, the RM1.1 billion Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ). Coega manager for enterprise development, Christopher Mashigo, said that among the potential areas for Malaysians to invest in the IDZ are the chemical and textile industries. “We are looking for long-term investors, not the kind that expects overnight returns,” he said, adding that sustainable development is crucial for South Africa to reduce its unemployment rate of between 30 and 45 per cent. Outside the IDZ, Malaysians can invest in South Africa’s services, hospitality and tourism sectors, which are expected to be given a tremendous boost come 2010 when it hosts the FIFA World Cup. Mashigo said that traditionally, Malaysian businessmen had been focusing on the property sector before Golden Hope Plantations Bhd came in and acquired South Africa’s Hudson & Knight (Pty) Ltd in 2004. | SOURCE: NSTP, 13/7/2006

Check out the GlobalNEWS at

www.halaljournal.com Global News At A Glance covers more news items in headlines and key points to give our readers a more comprehensive picture of events and trends in the Halal market around the world. Read and download, free of charge.

12 THE HALAL JOURNAL

1 – 2 SEPTEMBER 2006 THE INTERNATIONAL HALAL SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM BITEC Convention Center, Bangna, Bangkok, Thailand The Halal Science Center (HASCI), Chulalongkorn University Tel: +662 218 1069 Fax +662 218 1064 www.halalscience.org

6 - 9 SEPTEMBER 2006 BAKERY INDONESIA 2006 Bakery & Confectionery, Machinery, Equipment, Supplies, Ingredients Jakarta International Expo Kemayoran, Indonesia KRISTA EXHIBITIONS Tel: +6221 634 5861 Fax: +6221 634 0140 Email: info@kristamedia.com www.kristamedia.com

11 – 13 SEPTEMBER 2006 DUBAI INTERNATIONAL HALAL SHOW 2006 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai, UAE EXPAM Tel: +603 7880 0413 Fax: +603 7880 2817 www.halaldubai.com

16 – 19 SEPTEMBER 2006 AUSTRALIA HALAL TRADE 2006 Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens, Melbourne Australia Halal Trade Pty Ltd Phone: +613 9667 0246 / 0296 Fax: +614 9667 0294 www.australiahalaltrade.com.au

20 – 21 NOVEMBER 2006 MENA FOOD & INGREDIENTS INDUSTRY CONFERENCE Dubai, UAE INC Global Conference Tel: +65 6 220 2577 Fax: +65 6 227 7339 www.inc-global.com

24-29 NOVEMBER 2006 KUALA LUMPUR ISLAMIC FINANCE FORUM (KLIFF) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Putra World Trade Centre CERT & Institute of Banking Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM) Tel: +603 4108 1439 Fax: +603 4106 1549 zarina@cert.com.my www.kliff2006.com

28 – 29 NOVEMBER 2006 FOOD & BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING FORUM Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Berjaya Times Square Marcus Evans Ltd Tel: +603 2723 6600 Fax: +603 2723 6700 www.foodandbeverage-manufacturing.com

The Vision

â&#x20AC;&#x153;To realise a strong Halal industry for the benefit of allâ&#x20AC;?

IHI International Halal Industry

ALLIANCE

Join The Alliance Make The Vision A Reality

www.ihialliance.org info@ihialliance.org +603 6203 1025

between the lines Words By HAJJ ABDALHAMID EVANS

International Halal Industry Alliance (IHI) gets underway Delegates at the World Halal Forum 2006 unanimously passed a resolution to establish some form of international association for the Halal industry. Everready for new challenges, the WHF secretariat took on the responsibility to make this resolution a reality. Now, three months later, the International Halal Industry Alliance has been formed…and is already getting down to work. FOCUSING ON THE VISION It is one of the signs of the coming of age for an industry; the formation of its own industry-wide association. Given the particular idiosyncrasies of the Halal industry – a global, Shariah-compliant, farmto-fork, multifaceted industry – the need for an association is all the more marked, and its arrival all the more welcome. Set up as a non-profit private sector business association, the IHI Alliance has opened its doors for international and local membership to both public listed and private limited companies, learning institutions

PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE One of the proposed functions for the IHI, as voiced repeatedly at the World Halal Forum, is to function as a body that can endorse selected certification agencies world-wide. Given the variety of applied criteria for certification, the lack of regulation and the increasing competition between the Certification Agencies themselves, industry players

“TO REALISE A STRONG HALAL INDUSTRY FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL” as well as associations and NGO’s. With the vision ‘To realise a strong Halal industry for the benefit of all’, the IHI aims to provide a platform for its members to share information and work towards the overall success of the Halal industry; to provide a communication channel between the industry and other entities; and to elevate and strengthen the Halal industry to fulfil its highest potential. Full details, benefits and fees for membership are available on www.ihialliance. org, but it is worth mentioning that the IHI has already been able to negotiate discounts for its members at several international Halal trade shows, including MIHAS and the World Halal Forum, making membership a very attractive proposition.

14 THE HALAL JOURNAL

have expressed increasing concern that no-one is actually ‘regulating the regulators’. Clearly there is a place for the IHI to accredit industryapproved certification agencies for the benefit of the entire industry and of course the consumers. In addition, work has already started to look into other projects that will bring industry-wide benefits. The IHI has held preliminary discussions with the Halal Science Centre in Bangkok and the Institute of Halal Food at Universiti Putra Malaysia to see about conducting hj joint research projects.

MATRADE news

MALAYSIA TRADE CENTRES

DUBAI AND JOHANNESBURG TO FACILITATE TRADE between Malaysian companies and the rest of the world, the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) established two trade centres in Dubai and Johannesburg to serve as a catalyst for Malaysian exporters to West Asian and African regions. Officiated in March 2001, the Malaysia Trade Centre (MTC) Dubai is Malaysia’s first overseas trade exhibition centre in West Asia and is managed by MATRADE Dubai. The centre provide for Malaysian companies with an avenue to further increase and expand the range of Made-In-Malaysia products and services to United Arab Emirates and the surrounding region. The 1,500 square-metre exhibition centre is strategically located in the Al-Safeena Building, near the Dubai World Trade Centre and is in the vicinity of the central business district. Among its facilities include 1,000 square meters of floor space for permanent exhibition, special events and individual company promotions, product launches and demonstrations; a resource library that offers upto-date information on Malaysian products and services; as well as

conference and seminar rooms. Visitors to Malaysia Trade Centre Dubai will also have the opportunity to view, inspect and obtain information on Malaysian products and services available for exports. There are currently over 116 companies exhibiting with each session running a full calendar year, i.e. from July to June the following year. Similarly, the Malaysia Trade Centre in Johannesburg also provides a permanent exhibition centre for Malaysian made products & services to the African region. Located within the same building as MATRADE’s Johannesburg office, it serves as a focal point for importers and businesses in the South Africa region to source for Malaysian products and services as well as to gather information on doing business in Malaysia. To date, a total of 103 companies have participated with each getting a display area of about 300 square meters. Five categories of product clusters have been identified as having immense potential within the African region, among which include electrical and electronics, food and beverages, garments and textile, auto parts and building

For more information contact MATRADE HEADQUATERS 7th Floor, Wisma Sime Darby, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA t +603 2616-3333 f +603 2694-7363 toll free 1 800 88 7280 e-mail info@matrade.gov.my

materials as well as wood, rubber, plastics and chemical produce. Participation to MTC Dubai or Johannesburg is by MATRADE’s invitation and selection will be based on the product, quality, and the potential demand of the product in that particular region or market. There will be no fees incurred and MATRADE will also bare the freight charges from Kuala Lumpur to both of the trade centres. For more information on either of these centres, kindly contact the following details:

Malaysia Trade Centre Dubai Lot 1-3 Ground Floor & 6-10 Mezzanine Floors, Al-Safeena Building, Near Lamcy Plaza, Zaabeel Road, P.O. Box 4598, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tel: 971- 4 -335 5528 Fax: 971- 4 -335 2220 E-mail: dubai@matrade.gov.my Person in-charge: Mr. Arif Nasir

Malaysia Trade Centre Johannesburg Ground Floor, Building 5, Commerce Square Office Park, 39 Rivonia Road, Sandhurst, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. Tel: 27-11-268 2380/ 27-11-268 2381 Fax: 27-11-268 2382 E-mail: johannesburg@matrade.gov.my Person in-charge: Mr. Harulnizam Kassim

THE HALAL JOURNAL 15

feature highlights BY HAJJ ABDALHAMID & SALAMA EVANS

Part of this Halal initiative will be to create the new Brunei Premium Halal Brand for which they are bringing in special consultants to create the brand, in order to give investment opportunities and joint venture possibilities with interested Brunei entities. Lemnos Foods, Australian cheese manufacturers, hope to lead the way with a range of products for this new brand. INTERNATIONAL HALAL SEMINAR

BRUNEI TAKES ITS PLACE IN THE HALAL MARKET The Malay Islamic monarchy of Brunei is diversifying its economy by joining the global flurry in Halal by hosting the inaugural Brunei International Halal Products Expo. The Halal Journal was there at the historic event. The inaugural International Halal Products Expo got off to a royal start when Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, with the Crown Prince His Highness Prince Hajj Al-Muhtadee Billah, HRH Prince Abdul Azim, HRH Prince Abdul Malik and HRH Prince Abdul Mateen arrived to open the International Halal Products Expo being held in Brunei Darussalam on the 7 - 11 August 2006. The Expo was part of the nation’s efforts to diversify the economy in line with the country’s philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy. They see Halal products and services as an important way forward for the country and the royal entourage took the time to visit each and every one of the close to 100 exhibitors booths at the show. Though there was a strong representation from Brunei, there were also a large number of companies that came from Malaysia either independently or with organisations such as the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority and Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development. Neighbouring countries Sabah and Sarawak took advantage of this opportunity to come under these organisations, as well as Kelantan who sent several fabric manufacturers to show their wares to the 16 THE HALAL JOURNAL

fashion conscious Brunei ladies who are in a league of their own with their originally designed outfits. Larger companies like Nestlé and Ayamas, who are already in Brunei, promoted their brands to the trade and public. A few Australian companies specialising in cheese products and a range of meat also came to make their mark in Brunei. Five MOUs were signed between these Australian companies and the Government of Brunei Darussalam which showed the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources’ commitment to making the Halal industry the way forward in the economic diversification.

In conjunction with the Brunei Expo, the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources also hosted an international conference entitled ‘Going Global with Halal’ on 8 - 9 August. An impressive array of international speakers from the Netherlands, Australia, USA, Canada, Malaysia, and Thailand complemented the presenters from Brunei to cover a full range of topics relevant to Brunei’s ambition to play an increasingly influential and prominent role in the Halal markets. The Conference served Brunei’s plan to launch the Brunei Premium Halal brand by drawing on seasoned industry players from all sectors of the market - food production, logistics, science & research, media, certification, branding and Islamic finance. As many of those present in Brunei were also delegates and presenters from the World Halal Forum (WHF), this conference had the added advantage of being something of a follow-up meeting to the recent WHF event in Kuala Lumpur in May 2006. Many of the themes and topics that arose during the WHF were revisited and reviewed by speakers, delegates and the organisers. Issues relating to global Halal standards, professional auditing and certification procedures, the need for improved infrastructures, capacity development for SMEs, innovative ways of branding Halal products and services, all of these themes re-emerged as the key components for success in the Halal hj market.

feature highlights

FIRST HALAL SHOW DOWN UNDER Australia, already one of the world’s biggest beef exporting nation, takes a stronger position with its own Halal trade show.

Australia is taking a significant leap forward in strengthening itself as a global Halal player when the inaugural Australia Halal Trade exhibition convenes this 16 – 19 September at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens, Melbourne. Amir Said, a Singaporean based in Melbourne is leading the team of Muslim Asians, Arabs and Europeans in organising the trade show where they will play host to over 150 Halal participants from around the world. “The introduction and awareness of Halal products and services has never been formally established here in Australia. There is already a small variety available but not enough to accommodate the half million Muslim consumers in Australia,” said Amir Said, project director of the Australia Halal Trade Expo 2006. “This is the first event of such magnitude within the southern hemisphere. Therefore, we have taken a bold initiative to create that opportunity for businesses to promote and expand towards the right market. Naturally, we expect this to be a significant catalyst for future Halal developments within Australia and around the world,” Amir added. He also expects that the event will encourage participants to discover and broaden their knowledge of Halal consumers, markets and products from within Australia, as well as the rest of the world. With a Malaysian office and representatives from other countries within the region, the organisers are garnering strong industry support.

Amir pointed that despite having only two full months to market the event, they have so far received confirmations from 60 booth participants including from Malaysia, Thailand, China, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia as well as Australia. Twelve categories of Halal businesses will be represented during the up-coming Halal Trade Expo including hospitality, travel, media, education, cosmetics and of course, food. The four-day expo will also feature various attractions for visitors including a Muslim themed fashion show, talks, children’s corner and an art gallery. A grand charity dinner will also be organised, which is currently up for sale at AUD120 per head for seminar and booth participants and AUD150 for normal public.

“This is the first event of such magnitude within the southern hemisphere.” Amir Said

“We are trying to showcase a progressive modern approach of Islam through these creative sessions as part of introducing Islam to people who are curious to know more. Part of the proceeds from sales of the art gallery works and tickets to the grand charity dinner will go to the Lebanese cause,” Amir added. For more information on the event, please log on to www. australiahalaltrade.com.au.

WORLD HALAL FORUM INDUSTRY DIALOGUE: MELBOURNE The World Halal Forum Halal Industry Dialogue: Melbourne, a moderated industry dialogue designed to highlight, analyse & resolve Australia’s Halal industry issues will be held on Monday, 18 September 2006 in conjunction with the Australia Halal Trade exhibition. Organised by Australia Halal Trade Pty Ltd in partnership with KasehDia Sdn Bhd, organisers of The World Halal Forum and publishers of The Halal Journal, the goal of the WHF Industry Dialogue Melbourne is to get to the heart of the issues faced

in specific market sectors in Australia. These issues will then be raised at the Annual World Halal Forum on 7-9 May 2007, and will be used to chart the development of this fast growing lucrative industry. The Melbourne event will focus on issues facing Australia in two key areas namely the Halal meat and dairy industry as well as Halal standards, auditing and certification. Australian Minister of Trade Mark Vaile has been invited to deliver the keynote address.

The sessions will be attended by a panel of industry experts and professionals, and will be chaired and moderated by Jumaatun Azmi, editor of The Halal Journal and managing director of KasehDia, organisers of The World Halal Forum, and Nordin Abdullah, executive director of KasehDia, and Hajj Abdalhamid Evans, director of the International Halal Industry Alliance. For more info on the dialogue and the event, please log on to www.worldhalalforum.org. hj

THE HALAL JOURNAL 17

The Cost of

beauty

Words By KAMARUL AZNAM KAMARUZAMAN

Beauty is only skin deep, or so they say. It is quite ironic however that to maintain your beauty can also be very harmful and damaging at the same time, not to mention Haram for Muslims to use.

ancer - genital abnormalities - distortion and damage of genetic information - passed down from mothers to their children. These side effects are reasons enough for cosmetic users to shun most, if not all, cosmetic and personal care products that are already on the shelves. Then there is the Halal concern. With the growing global trend for all things healthy and natural, the arrival of Halal as a global concern is indeed muchawaited, especially concerning the titivated and superficial world of cosmetics. As various consumer groups continue to mount pressure for safe and verifiable cosmetic products, the Halal industry too should be demanding manufacturers to adhere to their own set of requirements. “I definitely see a growing trend and increasing consumer awareness about Halal cosmetics and it is definitely gathering momentum,” said Dr. Mah Hussein Gambles,

20 THE HALAL JOURNAL

founder of a UK cosmetics company, Saaf Natural Cosmeceuticals. She also happened to be approached recently by several UK based companies to develop a Halal certified skincare range on their behalf. “To me, this is significant as it means that the industry has suddenly realised the buying power of the Halal market,” she said. That purchasing power, currently made up of 1.6 billion Muslims throughout the world, can easily find powerful allies who support ethical and healthy business, including natural and organic, vegetarian, environmentally-friendly and fair trade industries. To be safe, Dr. Mah advised Muslim consumers to buy from ethical companies

that care more about their ingredients rather than about making millions using cheap synthetic or swine derived ingredients. “Better still, see if the product is Vegetarian Society approved, since I know from experience that they are very strict and do not allow any animal ingredients or derivatives,” she added. The Vegetarian Society developed their food labelling scheme, the seedling symbol, in 1969 when members found it increasingly hard to distinguish products that do not contain any animal derivatives as ingredients. Although known to be very stringent, the seedling is still considered as independent. But within the cosmetics industry, independent standards can still

challenge the status quo, to a certain degree. Case in point – Europe. Since September 2004, the European Union has banned more than 1,200 substances from cosmetic products, including phthalates and other chemicals still allowed in the US-made cosmetics. Phthalates, an ingredient found in 52 out of 72 tested cosmetics, deodorants and perfumes, has been linked to reproductive abnormalities in animals. By the end of 2006, the EU is expected to enact a more comprehensive legislation requiring chemical producers and users to provide basic data on potential health and environmental hazards before products can be sold. So where does Halal fit in? Is it conveniently left out or do Muslims just not care if their compact powders are actually made from swine placenta? Even pig bristles, bones and hooves for that matter, are used to produce the cystine and gelatine widely used in food, pharmaceutical and personal care industries. “With regard to swine placenta, I wouldn’t be surprised if it is still used in some commercial brands, in parts of the world that have little or no regulatory processes. I would advise buying

cosmetics from the EU, which has very strict legislations for the manufacturer to indicate all ingredients on the label. If the product doesn’t provide an ingredient list, then the concerned consumer has to air on the side of caution,” added Dr. Mah. CLOSER TO HOME, plans to establish a Halal standard for the cosmetics industry are in the pipeline, with Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM) through SIRIM Berhad, the sole national standards development agency, working feverishly to perfect the first Draft Malaysian Standard for Islamic Consumer Goods – Cosmetic and Personal Care General Guidelines. The first of a three-part Islamic Consumer Goods

Hidden Ingredients in Your Cosmetics

standard will complement the existing Malaysian Halal Standard, the MS1500:2004, which focuses purely on the production and preparation of Halal foods. Extending their Islamic oriented standards, the cosmetics and personal care guideline will later be complemented by standards on Halal leatherwear and detergents, forming the second and third part under the Islamic Consumer Goods general heading. The draft standard has so far cleared the public comments stage and the Technical Committee has received comments from four organisations in four countries. They will then deliberate the comments and after finalising the document, it will then be submitted

Source: www.saaf.co.uk

There are thousands of technical and patented names for cosmetic ingredients, and many ingredients, which are known by one name, can be of animal, vegetable, or synthetic origin. “Natural Sources” can also mean animal or vegetable sources, and most often in the cosmetics industry, it means animal sources, such as animal elastin, glands, fat, protein, and oil. The following information will provide the reader with a basic knowledge of the most common animal-derived ingredients. Other good sources of additional information are the Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients and the Consumer’s Dictionary of Food Additives. All of these are available at most libraries. ALBUMEN: Usually derived from egg whites and used as a coagulating agent. Frequently used in cosmetic industry. ALLANTOIN: May be derived from uric acid from cows or other mammals. Used in treatment of wounds and ulcers, and in cosmetics (especially creams and lotions). AMBERGRIS: Obtained from whale intestines. Used as a fixative in making perfumes and as flavouring in foods and beverages. AMINO ACIDS: The building blocks of protein in all animals and plants. It is used in some cosmetics, vitamins, supplements, shampoos, etc. ARACHIDONIC ACID: A liquid unsaturated fatty acid that is found in liver, brain, glands, and fat of animals and humans. Generally isolated from animal liver.

22 THE HALAL JOURNAL

Used in some skin creams and lotions to sooth eczema and rashes. CHOLESTEROL: A steroid alcohol in all animal fats and oils, nervous tissue, egg yolk, and blood. Can be derived from lanolin. It is sometimes used in cosmetics, eye creams, shampoos, etc. COLLAGEN: Usually derived from animal tissue. COLOURS/DYES: Pigments from animal, plant, and synthetic sources used to colour foods, cosmetics, and other products. Cochineal is obtained from insects. Colours are coal-tar (bituminous coal) derivatives that are continuously tested on animals due to their carcinogenic properties. CYSTINE: An amino acid found in urine and horsehair. Used as a nutritional supplement and in emollients.

ELASTIN: Protein found in the neck ligaments and aortas of cows. Similar to collagen. GELATINE: Protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones with water. From cows and pigs. Used in shampoos, face masks, and other cosmetics. GLYCERINE: A by-product of soap manufacture (normally uses animal fat). Used in cosmetics, foods, mouthwashes, chewing gum, toothpastes, soaps, ointments, and medicines. HYALURONIC ACID: A protein found in umbilical cords and the fluids around the joints. Used as cosmetic oil. HYDROLYSED ANIMAL PROTEIN: Used in cosmetics, especially shampoo and hair treatments. KERATIN: Protein from the ground-up horns, hooves, feathers,

quills, and hair of various animals. Used in hair rinses, shampoos, and permanent wave solutions. LACTIC ACID: Found in blood and muscle tissue. Also in sour milk, beer, sauerkraut, pickles, and other food products made by bacterial fermentation. Used in skin fresheners, as a preservative, in the formation of plasticisers, etc. LANOLIN: A product of the oil glands of sheep, extracted from their wool. Used as an emollient in many skin care products and cosmetics and in medicines. LARD: Fat from hog abdomens. Used in shaving creams, soaps, and cosmetics. LECITHIN: Waxy substance found in nervous tissue of all living organisms. But, frequently obtained for commercial purposes from eggs and soybeans.

Lecithin can be found in eye creams, lipsticks, liquid powders, hand creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, other cosmetics, and some medicines. LIPIDS: Fat and fat-like substances that are found in animals and plants. MYRISTIC ACID: A type of acid found in most animal and vegetable fats. Used in shampoos, creams, cosmetics etc. OLEIC ACID: Obtained from various animal and vegetable fats and oils. Usually obtained commercially from inedible tallow. Found in some soft soaps, bar soap, permanent wave solutions, creams, nail polish, lipsticks, many other skin preparations. PROGESTERONE: A steroid hormone used in some antiwrinkle face creams.

PROPOLIS: Tree sap gathered by bees and used as a sealant in beehives. Used in toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, supplements, etc. ROYAL JELLY: Secretion from the throat glands of the honeybee workers that is fed to the larvae in a colony and to all queen larvae. SHELLAC: Resinous excretion of certain insects. Used as a candy glaze, in hair lacquer, and on jewellery. SILK POWDER: Obtained from the secretion of the silkworm. It is used as a colouring agent in face powders, soaps, etc. Can cause severe allergic skin reactions and systemic reactions (if inhaled or ingested). STEARIC ACID: Fat obtained from cows and sheep. Most often refers to a fatty substance taken from the stomachs

of pigs. Can be harsh, irritating. Used in cosmetics, soaps, lubricants, candles, hairspray, conditioners, deodorants, creams, chewing gum, food flavouring. STEARYL ALCOHOL: A mixture of solid alcohols. Can be prepared from sperm whale oil. Can be found in medicines, creams, rinses, shampoos, etc. TALLOW: Rendered beef fat, used in candles, soaps, lipsticks, shaving creams, and other cosmetics. Chemicals (e.g. PCB) can be in animal tallow. May cause eczema and blackheads. VITAMIN A: Can come from fish liver oil (e.g., shark liver oil), egg yolk, wheat germ oil, carotene in carrots, and synthetics. Frequently used in cosmetics, creams, perfumes, hair dyes, etc.

to the Industry Standards Committee on Halal Standards (ISC I) for final acceptance. “If you look at the new Halal cosmetics standard, there is not much difference from the MS1500:2004 for food. It is basically based on the same principles - ingredients must conform to Halal and Shariah requirements. So if they use swine or other non Halal ingredients, it won’t be allowed. The same goes for machinery, storing, labelling and packaging, right to the final stage, all must be Halal compliant,” said Saleha Jalil, senior manager, standards development – scientific & services section, SIRIM Berhad. Saleha expects the new standard to be finalised some time in October or November this year. Once the ISC I have accepted the standard, SIRIM will submit it to DSM for final approval as a Malaysian Standard. It will then be gazetted and notified to the public and the Ministry of Science will then gazette it under the law to make it as an official government document. “Similar to the ISO 9000 standard, this new standard should also be voluntary, unless JAKIM decides that it would be similar in structure to the MS1500:2004, which was incorporated within their existing Halal certification guidelines,” said Saleha. No JAKIM authority was available for comment at the time of press. ONE THING IS FOR SURE, once this new standard is implemented, Muslim consumers can expect a full Shariah compliant standard being applied for all cosmetics and personal care products. Being the first of its kind and since JAKIM’s Halal logo is internationally recognised, the new Halal cosmetic standard should easily set the benchmark for what is acceptable for Muslims to use as far as cosmetics are concerned. “As an industry expert, I would suggest Muslim consumers to look out for the Halal logo from JAKIM or any other JAKIM recognised Halal certification bodies on the label as the benchmark of Halal standard,” said Dr. Clara, founder and chairman of Clara International, manufacturer of Halal certified herbal based skincare products. This view is shared by Muhammed Hamudi Sheikh Abdul Khalid, executive chairman of ElHajj Products Sdn Bhd who also manufactures a range of Halal certified skincare products for use during umrah and hajj. “When we first set up, we were quite surprised to learn that many major cosmetics manufacturers were still using the same ingredients that have been deemed unsafe and Haram. Advances in technology should make finding an alternative very easy, especially since the profit margin within this industry is huge. Manufacturers should be able to allocate a significant portion of their budget for R&D in Halal,” he said. “As far as making cosmetic products Halal, JAKIM has gained a lot of international credibility for their Halal logo; all the manufacturers need to do is comply with JAKIM’s Halal standard to be able to freely use their logo for branding purposes. The benefit should be immense - the peace of mind for 1.6 billion Muslims using your cosmetic products. It’s really a no-brainer,” Hamudi added. hj

halal Science

24 THE HALAL JOURNAL

hat is doubly striking is that these men of science were all polymathic masters of several skills, and all of them had a foundation in the primary core sciences of the Deen itself. One of the reasons for this proliferation in applied scientific knowledge, that coincided with Islamic rule over vast portions of the civilised world, was that these men recognised that they had a responsibility. If you govern, so you must serve and protect. If people are your responsibility, then their problems become your problems, and so you must strive to solve them through the application of knowledge; if the knowledge is not at hand, then you must import it. The Muslim rulers of that bygone age gathered the great men of knowledge under their patronage and effectively put them to work to improve all aspects of people’s private and civic lives, and this luminous civilising force spread out, until it ranged from North Africa to the borders of China. That it did not last is not a proof against it; it should rather be a reminder to us, a spur in our flank. So having tipped our hats, let us take up the gauntlet. After centuries of being dazzled by the achievements of the western nonMuslim world, it is time to re-examine the possibilities in front of us. The emergence of the Halal market as a powerful market force marks a turning of the tide. It is a confirmation for us that what Allah has designed for us, is of course better. Better for us both physically and spiritually, better for the animals we raise and eat, safer, more harmonious, healthier, better for the environment. And also very good business. These are all matters that any Muslim would confirm, without any thought or analysis. Halal is better. Clearly. However, we live in an age of proof and reasoning and our scientific community must not shy away from taking up the challenge; after all, we were the ones who gave the gifts of proof and reasoning to the West. Let us prove why Halal is better.

NEW PIONEERS IN THE FIELD wo universities in South East Asia have risen to this challenge, and what is more, they are on track for some mutually beneficial collaboration. The Institute of Halal Food at Malaysia’s University Putra Malaysia (UPM) and the Halal Science Centre (HASCI) at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand are leading the way forward in developing Halal science as a recognised subject in its own right. Indeed, Dr Winai Dahlan, HASCI’s founder, claims to have introduced the term ‘Halal Science’ as far back as 1994. (see pages 30-31) Much of the work based at both these establishments is focused on analysis and detection of haram components in

food and non-food products, thereby defending the limits and parameters of the Halal. As Professor Dr. Yaakob Che Man, director of UPM’s Institute of Halal Food (IHF) has pointed out, the food industry has become highly competitive and complex, and without modern scientific methods, it is almost impossible to detect adulteration. Commercially, there is the inevitable temptation to replace high quality ingredients with low cost alternatives (such as pork lard) which can be blended together virtually undetected. Indeed, with so much of the Halal food production in the hands of non-Muslims, many may not understand the finer points of Halal compliance, and may be more concerned with the finer points of the bottom line. Current technologies that have been developed and adapted

regards to meat products, are not only superior, but are measurably so. WHEN YOU KILL, KILL WELL he slaughtering process is the cornerstone of the Halal market; it is one of the clearest dividing lines between the Halal and the Haram, because the same animal can become permissible to eat or not depending upon the conditions of slaughter. Caring for the animal, watering it, making sure it does not witness a previous slaughter, nor see its signs, hiding the knife from view, sharpening it, cutting cleanly and quickly, facing the Qiblah, mentioning the name of Allah over the conscious animal, letting the animal bleed… Do these actions have a measurable difference in the quality of the animals death, and in the resulting meat? Is a Halal death less painful for

1978, University of Hanover in Germany produced evidence that Halal slaughter was virtually painless for the animal. But these experiments were too limited and too long ago to be really effective now. We need experiments of this nature to be carried out again, preferably as a joint collaborative effort between suitable institutions, in such a manner that we can produce conclusive evidence. for analysis and testing Halal products include Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy; Electronic Nose; Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC); and Molecular Biology techniques. Some of these technologies are ready to be commercialised as convenient hand held devices for on-the-spot testing, a bit like a ‘Haram’ Geiger counter. These procedures that can protect the consumer and ensure that industrial processes conform to Halal parameters are the necessary first step along the road of Halal science, defending the basic parameters and lay down a strong foundation. Looking ahead, we can also see that there are many areas in which Halal science can be used in a more pro-active manner to demonstrate that Halal methods, especially with

the animal? Is less toxin released into the blood stream at the time of death? Is the growth rate for bacteria the same for Halal and non-Halal slaughtered meat? If not, how do they differ, and does this affect the shelf-life? Would it affect the price? Are the nutrient levels and their bio-availability the same? What difference does it make to all these results if the animal was stunned prior to slaughter? Why do we not already have these answers? The study carried out by Dr William Schulze and Dr Hazim at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Hanover in Germany in 1978 produced evidence that Halal slaughter was virtually painless for the animal. But these experiments were too limited and too long ago to be really effective now. We need experiments of this nature to be carried out again,

THE HALAL JOURNAL

26 THE HALAL JOURNAL

IMP3 Halal Chapter Announced The Malaysian Prime Minister announced in mid August a 15-year master plan to address issues related to a more balanced socio-economic development for Malaysia, the Third Industrial Master Plan (IMP3) 2006-2020. Interestingly, Halal has been given a major priority for the first time ever.

STRATEGIC THRUSTS Efforts will be undertaken to develop Malaysia as the global Halal hub. Malaysia will be the base of operations for the ndustry. It is envisaged that by 2008, Malaysia will be the centre for: . The production and distribution of Halal products; i. Halal service providers; ii. Reference on the Halal Standard; and v. R&D on Halal matters.

28 THE HALAL JOURNAL

05 06

ithin the broad scope of reducing interethnic disparities in entrepreneurship and ownership of productive assets and employment, the IMP3 detailed for the first time, a specific chapter to make Malaysia the global Halal hub for the production and trade of Halal goods and services. The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi unveiled the 23-page document on August 18, 2006, which outlines: an assessment of the size of the global and regional markets, as well as major market developments, for Halal products and services, including increasing competition from countries in the Asia Pacific and the development of international Halal standards; the development of Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Halal products and services industry, ncluding initiatives in strengthening the institutional support, and market development and promotion; the challenges in the development of Halal products and services, including shortage of raw materials, development of Halal-compliant services and the need for greater coordination among the relevant ministries and agencies; and the strategies and policies for the development of the industry, including measures to address the increasing competition from countries within the region and ways to strengthen the nstitutional and human resource capacity. The following are excerpts of objectives and key strategic thrusts isted in the IMP3â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chapter 21, Development of the Halal Industry:

the industry will be encouraged to achieve a higher level of innovation in product and process developments in both the food and non-food industries to improve export performance in the long term. Developing Halalcompliant services. The development of Halal-compliant services is integral to the development of the Halal products industry. Services for development include handling, storage, shipping, airfreight, warehousing, road transport and container requirements in the logistics industry. Utilising and leveraging upon Malaysian Halal Standard to differentiate Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Halal products. Measures will be undertaken to develop and promote the Malaysian Halal Standard, including gaining international recognition and acceptance. Ensuring product quality and food safety. The MS1500:2004 standard is already an inclusive standard, which incorporates Halal, HACCP, GMP and GHP requirements. This will outline measures to intensify standards conformance. Undertake systemic development of Halal parks. In the RMK-9, Kedah, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Perak and Pahang have been identified to lead in the development of the Halal food industry. Focus will be given on a more integrated development of these Halal parks. Harmonising the Halal certification process. Countries in the region are embarking on promoting their own Halal certifications. To remain ahead of the competition, the process of Halal certification by Federal and state agencies will be harmonised and streamlined, including upgrading the capacity of these agencies, both for the auditors and inspectors. Enhancing the coordination among agencies involved in the development and promotion of the industry. To promote the development of the Halal industry, coordination among the ministries and agencies will be further enhanced. Strengthening the institutional capacity of organisations involved in the development and promotion of Halal products and services. The development and enhancement of the industry requires a balance of knowledge and expertise in various fields, apart from Islamic tenets. The other areas include technological developments and the sciences, specifically food science, biochemistry, and microbiology, as well as business and management. Towards achieving this balance, a comprehensive approach will be adopted to enhance the institutional and hj human resource capacity within Halal.

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Eleven strategic thrusts have been set for the development and promotion of Malaysia as the global Halal hub, including:

Enhancing the awareness on Malaysia as the centre for Halal products and services. Competitive advantage can be derived from brand association by using measures to create the image which will link Halal with Malaysia. Managing the increasing competition from countries in the region. As the competition for Halal products and services intensifies, measures will be undertaken to enable Malaysia to remain competitive and to capitalise upon the edge it has, in terms of standard and a well developed manufacturing infrastructure. Leveraging upon outward investments to gain access to raw materials and enhance competitiveness. These are measures to overcome the constraint of the lack of raw materials and, to some extent, the non-compliance to the Malaysian Halal Standard by overseas suppliers. Enhancing R&D in product and process developments and leveraging upon latest technological developments to expand product range. To benefit from the growing Halal market,

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FN390472 HALAL JOURNAL2

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Throughout Southeast Asia, the term “Halal science” is the new industry buzzword among Halal industry players.

Understanding the Origins of BEING AT THE CENTRE of the scientific community, Associate Professor Dr. Winai Dahlan, director of the Halal Science Center (HASCI), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand and his team of experts are using cutting edge technologies to help clarify the fine line between what is Halal and what is Haram for the benefit of all Muslims. At the recent Brunei Halal Expo, The Halal Journal managed to catch up with Dr. Winai and discussed the origins of the term “Halal science” and the HASCI where the term originated.

WHERE DID THE TERM ‘HALAL SCIENCE’ COME FROM? Dr Winai : Halal science began its existence in 1994 when I established the Halal scientific laboratory at the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, which was officially opened in 2004. A physician from Saudi Arabia once asked me, “What is ‘Halal science’?” I replied that the word Halal covers everything, both food and non-food goods. A Muslim is required to practise his life according to Halal. The Qur’an always mentions Halal together with tayyib. The latter has a broader meaning regarding good and beneficial things, and could be interpreted as hygienic, nutritious, even academic or scientific. Thus Halal and tayyib together means scientific Halal which can be confirmed and measured. In the past, science rapidly developed during the Muslim Golden Age. So Halal science, in fact, is not a completely new concept, but has been absent for a long time. The doctor agreed with me, and even expressed a desire to establish a Halal science centre somewhere in Saudi Arabia. IS THE HALAL SCIENCE CENTRE OF CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD? DW: We are not the ones claiming this, but others have expressed that notion. Professor Yaakob Che Man, a prominent Malaysian Halal scientist from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has confirmed this, together with visitors from around the world to the HASCI, that they have never seen a centre like HASCI which encompasses such a broad scope of activities in

HALAL SCIENCE A physician from Saudi Arabia once asked me, “What is ‘Halal science’?” I replied that the word Halal covers everything, both food and non-food goods. A Muslim is required to practise his life according to Halal.

Halal science in one place. Dr. Mian Riaz, from A&M University in Texas, USA, also claimed this when he visited HASCI recently. He is the Halal auditor of the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) with experience in auditing from around the world. More than 30 member countries

of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) visited the HASCI in 2005 and also confirmed the role of HASCI. We felt honoured by this highly international recognition, and even more gratified that the origin of the term Halal science is in Thailand, a non-Muslim country. PLEASE TELL US BRIEFLY ABOUT HASCI. DW: I started the Halal scientific laboratory in 1994 which focussed on protecting Muslim consumers. Later in 1996 HASCI began to support Thailand’s Sheikhul Islam office for Halal certification. In 1997, I joined the ASEAN ad hoc Working Group on Halal Guidelines and proposed the Halal Scientific Laboratory concept, but the project was not supported because of the economic downturn occurring throughout the region. However, HASCI was at that time officially designated with the title of ASEAN Halal Scientific Laboratory. Later HASCI assisted in the 13th Asian Games and the 7th FESPIC Games in establishing a Halal kitchen

system for both events. In 1997, HASCI joined the Office of Islamic Committee of Bangkok in supporting Halal certification. In 2003, the Royal Thai government proposed that HASCI establish a fully equipped Halal laboratory with the condition that the university should take up at least half of the cost. Chulalongkorn University then allocated an old building with 400 square meters for HASCI. Currently, there are eight PhD staff and ten scientists and managerial staff, of which six are Muslims. Under HASCI, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians comprise a small society with everyone working harmoniously under one common goal to create and develop Halal science for Muslim consumers around the world and concurrently building a good reputation for Thailand. HASCI has conducted a variety of researches. For example, the development of DNA test kits for detection of traces for pork or canine meat, development of the methodology to analyse alcohol as well as the development of a Haram protein fingerprint. These advance methodologies utilise state-of-the-art technologies, e.g. LC/MS/MS, GC/MS/MS, ICP, FTIR, RT-PCR. There are many highly-competent researchers working with HASCI led by Assistant Professor Dr. Vanida Nopponpunth. Also, Associate Professor Jongjit Angkatavanich, a competent pharmacist within the HASCI team, who did a research to develop a clay soap formulation for cleansing heavy najis (filth) such as canine and swine tissues which has been approved by renowned ulama in Thailand with the project now within its final evaluation stage. HASCI is not just a research and service laboratory. Now, we are also giving a high priority to the establishment of the HalalGMP/HACCP standard for food manufacturers. The system was developed from the HalalHACCP which I worked on together with the National Food Institute (Thailand) in 1999. As it is, HASCI has established the Halal-GMP/ HACCP system for 60 food manufacturers. The system would take up to eight months per factory to set up, involving 80,000 employees within the food industry. Training has so far been delivered to 2,800 employees, and 37 factories have so far passed the system’s requirements. The project has been mainly carried out by Assistant Professor Dr.Tipayanate Ariyapitipun. In addition, HASCI has delivered consumer education to more than 5,000 people. It has also undertaken food analyses of more than 4,500 samples of raw materials and finished products, helped to establish a Halal ingredients list and built the website www.halalscience.org as a service for all.

HASCI cooperated with the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in organising an international food safety symposium in 2004 and introduced a spiritual safety concept for the first time. In addition HASCI initiated Halal science as a professional elective course on the Nutrition and Dietetics curriculum. Recently HASCI also received a grant from the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (SMEs) to initiate a Business Incubator for Halal Products (BIHAP) to assist Halal entrepreneurs. We were also recently awarded The Halal Journal Award for Best Innovation in Halal Industry during the World Halal Forum in Kuala Lumpur from the Prime

(law) and religion, but never on the scientific aspects of Halal being brought into the scene. This time I hope to see scientists gather to discuss the development of Halal science. My work started with Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), when I initiated laboratory networking for Halal certification among these three countries. My thanks also goes out to Prof. Dr. Jinap Selamat and Prof. Dr. Yaakob Che Man from UPM and Mr. Rismansyah Danasaputra from Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia, who contributed in establishing the project. Our aim is to assist consumer protection, leave some space away from trade issues, and to conduct nonprofit tasks. If the symposium achieves these aims it will satisfy the HASCI team.

Minister of Malaysia. In this regard, we would like to extend a big “Thank You” to the broad-mindedness of the Malaysians. The award has been a good driver for our team to move forward. I must admit that without my colleagues, and without all their devotion, HASCI would not have achieved this much.

ANY PARTING MESSAGES? DW: The success of HASCI is possible because of many contributions. It owes a debt of thanks to my colleagues in the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, the university administrators during three successive periods, highranking officials in the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), the Royal Thai Government, Thai society both Muslims and non-Muslims, support from family, friends from outside Thailand including The Halal Journal. So I would like to thank everyone and would like to keep all these good things as a reason to lift up my gratitude to the Almighty Allah, the hj utmost centre of my faith.

WHAT IS NEXT STEP FOR THE HASCI? DW: HASCI is organising the 1st International Halal Science Symposium in Bangkok during 1-2 September 2006. We are strongly determined to see a gathering of Halal scientists. My observation has been that most Halal conferences emphasise business and trade, or some stress on Shari’a

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AYAMAS – FIRST IN HALAL, FIRST IN QUALITY Ayamas Food Corporation Sdn Bhd was the first company in Malaysia to not only brand high quality Halal chicken, hygienically processed and packed at its plant but also to market Malaysian branded Halal chicken and chickenbased products domestically and internationally.

t is today Malaysia’s foremost chicken breeding, processing and retailing enterprise with fully integrated operations and one of the largest and most modern poultry processing plants in the Asia-Pacific region in Port Klang with a capacity to process 100,000 birds per day. It supplies whole chicken, cut chicken parts and further processed chicken to both the domestic and export markets, including Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Hong Kong, the Middle East and other countries. Its fresh chicken, further processed and shelf stable chicken products help to get rid

32 THE HALAL JOURNAL

of much of the hassle of food preparation for cooking in kitchens. Whole chicken and specially cut chicken parts come ready processed, cleaned, dressed, chilled and sold and exported under the most stringent hygienic conditions. They save the messy work, helping to keep kitchens dry and clean. Ayamas freezer-to-fryer further processed chicken products come ready to

cook. They just have to be taken out of the freezer and put straight into the fryer, cooked and eaten. They don’t need thawing, they save a lot of time and are very convenient. Among Ayamas’s freezer-tofryer products are its ever popular Golden Nuggets, Premium Frankfurters, Breaded Drummets, Breaded Meatballs and Ayamas Crispy Fried Chicken. The company spends over RM5 million on research and development annually. At its fully equipped Research and Development Centre nutritionists continually develop new products that are well received locally and overseas, including the development of product line extensions into readyto-eat products such as canned curry chicken. Ayamas recently ventured

into Chicken Curry with Potato, its first ready to serve and eat canned food item. The landmark event is the forerunner to more shelf stable products it plans to bring out to make Ayamas even more relevant to consumers and attract a wider cross section of them to the brand domestically and internationally. To capitalise on growing consumer demand for value and convenience food, its marketing and sales department has been expanded to further improve brand awareness and market penetration domestically and overseas. It is in the process of beefing up its export team to further develop the Hong Kong, Middle East and other overseas markets. Ayamas has ISO 9002 certification and is currently in the process of obtaining the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points or HACCP, an integral part of quality assurance for the food industry worldwide. HACCP focuses attention on the potential hazards to the safety and quality of food products during their processing and handling. The process ensures their safety and quality from raw material stage to the end product. That’s why the company’s tagline is ‘First in Freshness, First in Quality’.

Ayamas has a Syariah Advisory Council, whose members are distinguished and prominent religious scholars from Islamic institutions, that act as an advisory body to it on all religious matters relating to its business. It maintains close rapport with the various religious departments, councils and bodies and also conducts regular inspections on Ayamas’s various plants and operational facilities to ensure that they fully comply with the Halal requirements of Islamic Law and all Malaysian Government regulations. Ayamas guarantees that all its products are Halal because it has 100% control at each and every stage of its processes, from breeding and hatching to slaughtering, processing, packaging and distribution. It breeds its own stock of chickens of the highest quality, has its own worldclass hatcheries to ensure Halal quality from eggs to chicks, ensures a closed, airconditioned and contained system of breeding that is tightly monitored to be absolutely clean and Halal and produces and uses its own Halal feed exclusively for the entire system.

Ayamas Freezer to Fryer and shelf stable products: They don’t need thawing and they are very convenient. It ensures that every stage of slaughtering, processing and packaging strictly observes Islamic religious requirements, monitored by religious authorities and uses only certified Halal ingredients for all its products. All Ayamas products are certified Halal by Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia and use the JAKIM logo. Ayamas’ efforts to maintain high quality control standards have also won recognition and support from Yum! Brands, Inc., the global operator of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, A&W and Long John Silver restaurants and other leading international food importers. Recently the Malaysian Superbrands Council selected Ayamas as a Superbrand. On the occasion of the bestowment of the award, Mr. Peter Pek, Publisher of Superbrands Malaysia, said: “Consumers have come to trust Ayamas for its quality, healthy, fresh and wholesome products … its long standing commitment to quality has helped reinforce its brand values.” Ayamas is also a winner of Livestock Asia’s Outstanding Meat Processor Award in recognition of its contributions to management excellence and best practices in the livestock industry. For further information, please call our Customer Careline, Tel: 03-31662281 or email to consumercare@ayamasfood.com.

THE HALAL JOURNAL

feature highlights

Definitive Halal Food Guide

IS BACK FOR VMY 2007 The age-old question “where to eat?” has finally found a definitive answer in the second edition of Halal Food: Kuala Lumpur.

AGAINST A VERITABLE SMORGASBORD of races, religions and cultures, Malaysia possesses untapped potentials often overlooked in its bid to sell its beaches and forests - Halal food. With more than 16 million visitors expected to arrive on Malaysian shores next year, the Halal Food 2007/08 will surely be a good companion for travellers and tourists who demand Halal, excellence and hygiene. KasehDia, publisher of the successful, award-winning Halal Food Guide series and other publications related to Halal, is set to launch a new edition of the Halal Food: Kuala Lumpur – A Guide to Good Eating. Expected to be out by December 2006, the guide book will be offering information on the diverse choices of Halal eating establishments within the Malaysian capital. “Malaysia has managed to draw more than 140,000 Arab tourists to its shores. These visitors spent some RM600 million last year and I am sure a substantial portion of it went to food. The country has some of the best Halal cuisines in the world and the one with the most varieties,” said Jumaatun Azmi, managing director of KasehDia. The new edition of Halal Food: Kuala Lumpur – A Guide to Good Eating will feature over 100 reviews of themed restaurants, F&B outlets of hotels, cafes and bistros, even the famous mamak and hawker centres so unique to the Malaysian skyline. “Although the guide book covers eateries that are Halal, in terms of the food source, the way it is prepared and the hygiene of the premises, this does not mean that non-Muslims cannot enjoy the variety of delicacies offered in this culturally diverse country,” she said. “Halal, simply put, means permissible in Arabic. It means the food prepared must be up to the standards established some 1,400 years ago, which also include safety and hygiene.

34 THE HALAL JOURNAL

Many, even the nonMuslims, have found it to be a credible stamp of quality and standard,” she added. Expected to be around 200 pages in A5 size, this user-friendly guide book will be packed with various information on the different food outlets that dot the myriad of hidden corners in Kuala Lumpur. It will also include valuable side tips such as description of the outlet, menu and price range, address and contact numbers, as well as clear and precise location maps. There is a list of symbols to provide additional information that tourists might find useful such as if the outlets are familyoriented or business friendly, air-conditioned or not, noise level indicators, wheelchair accessibility, smoking sections as well as credit card facilities. “Halal Food: Kuala Lumpur – A Guide to Good Eating is the ultimate guide for Malaysians and tourists alike who want to

know more about the various delicacies available and where they can find these restaurants. We hope that all the eateries listed will satisfy your taste buds,” concluded Jumaatun. KasehDia will be printing 20,000 copies of the English version of the guide book and will work with Tourism Malaysia for the book to be distributed free to targeted tourists, especially the Arabs. All restaurants featured in the guide book will automatically be in the running for the 3rd Halal Restaurant Award and the 1st International Halal Restaurant Award to be presented on May 10, 2007 during the book launch at the Restaurant Awards Night 2007 in conjunction with the World Halal Forum 2007 as well as MIHAS 2007. For more info on how to get your restaurant featured in the guide book, please call Lilyana Aziz at +603 6203 1025. email : lilyana@kasehdia.com hj

MALAYSIA HAS ACTUALLY GOT ALL THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS TO PROPEL THE COU INFLUENTIAL PLAYER WITHIN GLOBAL HALAL FOOD PRODUCTION, LOGISTICS AN HOLDING US BACK? THE HALAL JOURNAL MET A DUTCH LOGISTICS EXPERT AND H

REALISING MALAYSIA’S POTE

GLOBAL HALAL LOGISTICS

ALAYSIA HAS ALL THE RIGHT ELEMENTS TO BECOME THE PREMIER HALAL GATEWAY TO THE REST OF THE WORLD but certain key areas needed to be strengthened before the country can fully realise its potential within the borderless world of a global Halal marketplace. This is essentially what was discussed between The Halal Journal and Marco Tieman, managing director of MDS Logistics Sdn Bhd, a locally-based consulting firm that specialises in innovative logistics solutions with know-how from the Netherlands. “Malaysia has the MS1500:2004 that outlines the Halal production, packaging and storage, but after that, going downstream, there are a lot of uncertainties. The Halal integrity is a big question mark, from the point the product leaves the factory to the shelf in the

supermarket and even further, as in the farm to fork scenario. People have been talking about it, but the actual practice is actually not there yet,” said Tieman. According to him, to become a global Halal gateway, Malaysia should strengthen itself in three key areas. Namely, controlling the trade flows, creating logistics and value added capabilities and the creation of a manufacturing hub for Halal food. To control the flow of trade going in and out of the country, Malaysia must link itself to leading

traders in Europe, which also happens to be a very attractive market with over 30 million Muslims, the Americas, and other parts of the world. He pointed out that there are many traders who have experience with Halal food but they have not been approached by Malaysia. Tieman also suggested using Holland as a jumping board to other parts of Europe as they are currently involved in various Halal initiatives. In terms of logistics and value adding capabilities, Malaysia should also enhance the investment climate for the

THE HALAL JOURNAL

“If you talk about the whole of Klang Valley, including the KLIA, Cyberjaya, Putrajaya, and the Port Klang, that’s a very nice area to form a very strong cluster because everything is so easily accessible with one another. But the support to firms within the cluster, directly or through suitable supporting structures, is also one basic priority in the economic development and industrial policy political agendas,”

logistics sector, especially in terms of cold chain logistics services, under the aegis of the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority or MIDA. He added, that “the authorities should also be more aggressive in developing a global logistics standard that would really ensure a Halal supply chain from farm to fork.” Lastly, to become a global Halal gateway, Malaysia should also create a manufacturing hub for Halal food, and according to Tieman, the Selangor Halal Hub in Pulau Indah is a good start. “Within the palm oil industry, Malaysia has a good source of raw materials for the food industry and is naturally located geographically as a logistics gateway with excellent sea and airports in Malaysia and to neighbouring countries,” he said. Tieman also highlighted the need to establish a Halal cold chain pilot system to get the private sector’s participation, support and commitment. He added that this pilot is to be built based on the following foundations, i.e. voluntary, national level, government endorsed, as well as industry owned and internationally recognised.

n strategising for Halal development in Malaysia, Tieman reiterates the importance to strategise and assist in the implementation through facilitation. As far as strategising is concerned, he highlighted the possible use of “cluster approach” as the most suitable tool to fast track the implementation. A cluster, according to him, is a geographically proximate group of companies and associated institutions within a particular field that are linked by commonalities and complementarities. The cluster approach is based on the “Diamond Model” of Michael E. Porter, which was first published in the Harvard Business Review in 1998 entitled “Clusters and The New Economics of Competition”. Porter later detailed his theories in his book “The Competitive Advantage of Nations” (2000). Tieman also pointed out that most advanced economies are increasingly using the cluster approach as they are purely market driven. Some tools that governments use are identification of existing or potential clusters in their region; providing clusters

36 THE HALAL JOURNAL

with strategic information such as benchmarking or trends; investment in technologies and capabilities that are beneficial to cluster firms; fill in gaps in the cluster with foreign direct investments or others; link firms to training programs from local universities and centres; foster networking, service centres and associations; etc. “If you talk about the whole of Klang Valley, including the KLIA, Cyberjaya, Putrajaya, and the Port Klang, that’s a very nice area to form a very strong cluster because everything is so easily accessible with one another. But the support to firms within the cluster, directly or through suitable supporting structures, is also one basic priority in the economic development and industrial policy political agendas,” Tieman pointed. He also detailed out how Malaysia could be orchestrating the entire global Halal agriculture and Halal food trade and supply chain. Tieman pointed out that with a Command & Control model Malaysia could establish a ‘super-highway’ for Halal products. Some flows would physically be moving via Malaysia, while some do not have to. Most important however, is that Malaysia needs to be orchestrating the global flow from its Command & Control centre here in Malaysia and that all products are linked to Malaysia through its branding, which is reflected by, for example in its packaging, the ‘Made in

Malaysia’ logo, and the logistics control for the guarantee of Halal products at point of destination. Tieman also highlighted that orchestrating the Halal food trade and supply chain should be supported by a strong IT infrastructure backbone, logistics and trade infrastructure as well as the actual performance of its supply chains in terms of total supply chain costs, lead times, flexibility, and quality. “Malaysia has a good mix of strong local and international companies, be it in food, logistics or even packaging industries. Malaysia also has good affiliations with local and international food manufacturers and food traders, so it can readily play an important role within the global Halal food industry. We also have institutions such as MARDI and Universiti Putra Malaysia to spur the developments in agriculture and research,” said Marco. “However, in terms of trading, Malaysia is very modest. We have great products, but we do not know how to sell them. But if you look at Singapore, it’s the other way around. They have little to offer, but they suggest having everything. It’s how they create the perception. Malaysia actually has got very big potential, but this is hardly being marketed yet. I think a lot of people, even Malaysians, are not aware of what the country has got to offer. Let’s hj make it happen!” he added.

First in Freshness, First in Quality

fast track | ASIA

Changes to Malaysian Halal Certification There is a certain air of change within the Malaysian Halal scene as the industry continues to reorganise and strengthen itself.

THE MALAYSIAN Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal announced earlier this month that the existing Trade Descriptions Act 1972 will be amended to enable JAKIM to be the sole issuer of Halal certification and logo in the country. Once the amendment is gazetted in the Dewan Rakyat (The Lower House of Parliament) which is expected to be complete in September, no other group or private institution will be allowed to issue any form of Halal certification or logo in Malaysia. Datuk Shafie added that his ministry is currently refining the bill with the assistance of the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries. “The amendments made to the Act are specifically made because we wanted to protect the Malaysian Halal logo, so that not just anybody can issue their own Halal logo. If everybody else can issue one, why do we have JAKIM and a standard Malaysia Halal logo in the first place?” said Dato’ Mustapha Abdul Rahman, JAKIM’s director general. The amendments were made following a recent local news report that highlighted a private company in Kuala Lumpur called Bahtera Lagenda, headed by a former JAKIM division head offering consultancy services and their own Halal certificates since the year 2000. Its director Haji Abdullah Fahim, defended his company’s move reasoning that manufacturers had sought their services because JAKIM’s certification process took too long, even up to three months according to some manufacturers. When asked to comment on Abdullah Fahim’s remarks, Dato’ Mustapha replied instantaneously, “Of course he will say that. It’s the usual tactics of a businessman who wants to

38 THE HALAL JOURNAL

sell their products or services.” This problem, according to his deputy, has already been addressed and rectified. The department’s recruitment of more than 130 new posts specifically for its newly remodelled Halal hub division is expected to beef up the department’s capabilities in all areas of Halal in Malaysia. “We have expanded our size by 30 per cent and we now have more than 1,000 positions as a result of that expansion, and all the new posts are solely for the Halal hub division, which makes it even more significant. We are also creating a one-stop Halal certification centre in the heart of Kuala Lumpur to be closer to the manufacturers, which we hope will reduce the waiting time for manufacturers to get their Halal certificates,” explained Haji Sumali Amat, JAKIM’s deputy director general of management. Commenting on the move, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (FOMCA) asserts that although they welcome the move, loopholes in the law such as these must be addressed quickly if Malaysia is truly serious in developing its Halal hub vision.

“The plan to grant exclusive rights to JAKIM to oversee Halal certification and enforcement is much welcomed. The amendment in the Trade Descriptions Act 1972 is also a timely one, especially since the government is in full swing to develop Malaysia as a Halal hub. But JAKIM should also consider the reasons why this problem occurred in the first place and find solutions for them immediately, or else loopholes like this will continue to be exposed again and again,” said Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman, FOMCA’s director of communication. Another move to solidify the credibility of JAKIM’s Halal logo is the proposal that all food manufacturers are required to obtain a Halal certificate if they are to be listed on the Malaysian bourse. “It’s not mandatory, only encouraged, or I should say highly recommended. Imagine a business which manufactures Halal food or products but does not have a Halal certificate, wouldn’t it look odd? So if they want to be listed on the local bourse, we would highly recommend that they apply for Halal certificates to add more branding and marketing value to their brands,” added Dato’ Mustapha.

fast track | ASIA In the aftermath of epidemic proportions from the consumption of meat produced by unscrupulous cattle breeders, one Chinese company has had the vision to stay clear of greed and infuse Halal fundamentals into its organisation. They are now not only able to say that their beef is disease-free, but was also made with the highest sense of morality.

Inner Mongolia’s Beef Industry of Morality

AT LEAST one beef manufacturer is known to be smiling in satisfaction as finger pointing antics and flying accusations heightened when the diseases Mad Cow and Hand, Foot and Mouth were first discovered. They somehow expected this, manoeuvring their course away from bigger margins and unethical practices. They understood that manufacturing food for human consumption has got to come with a certain degree of morality. Halal readily has that instilled within it; in fact Halal is all about morality. And the Inner Mongolia Kershin Cattle Industry has embraced this concept throughout their entire manufacturing and management processes. “For us, the food industry is an industry of morality,” said Li He, general manager of the cattle breeder and beef manufacturer in the northern most region of China, “because food safety has become a widely regarded subject and has become the greatest matter of concern for many consumers.” “We follow this concept (of morality) all the while. This is why our company can stay competitive in the open market. Each staff member is always fully aware of the importance of food safety as it comes down to every consumer’s health. All staff members transfuse our sentiments in beef production to produce high quality and healthy food for every consumer.” Blessed with endless open grassland for their simmental cattle to feed on, Kerchin’s beef is said to be fresh, tender and delicious “with a fragrance derived from the natural and unpolluted Kerchin grassland, making the consumers feel like they are staying in a grassy area of pretty and purified pastureland,” said Li He smilingly. Fattened by a diet of corn mixed with a scientific natural formulation of Kerchin feedstuff, their cattle undergo an elaborate fattening process to ensure fine fat deposit and maintain a

purified, juicy flavour. For freshness, Kerchin beef are under the strict control of the PLC system, with working procedures implemented strictly according to EU standards. Advanced MAP technologies also greatly assist with product freshness. They are then manually slaughtered under the purview of the Imam of Inner Mongolia Islamic Association without the use of stunning or thoracic sticking. “Simmental cattle itself is featured by tenderness in meat texture. Moreover, all the items including scientific fattening system, advanced aging technologies and scientific slaughtering and cutting techniques effectively improve the tenderness of meat texture and make Kerchin beef easier for cooking and more tender for eating,” he said. With the international meat market jolted by BSE and FMD scare, many countries switched their importation of meat from Europe to China, providing a

bullish outlook for the Chinese Halal meat industry. “During this period, international buyers have given us full recognition and admiration which helped to advance the export of our Halal meat,” Li He added. Kerchin beef has since found its way to Hong Kong, Malaysia as well as the Islamic countries in the Middle East. They are also looking to expand their reach to other countries within Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, even Laos and Iran. “In my opinion, the Chinese Halal meat market will continuously be developing and rising. Firstly, because China has policy reform and an openness to the world market, and also the level of living in China has improved continuously, so the people’s consumption for healthy food has also increased. The consumption of meat is changing from non-Islamic meat to Islamic meat gradually,” he added.

THE HALAL JOURNAL

fast track | ASIA

AMED Working Group Held Its First Meeting THE ASIA-MIDDLE EAST DIALOGUE (AMED) Working Group on Economic Issues was established at the inaugural AMED Meeting in Singapore in June 2005 to promote mutual understanding and greater interactions among members. With Thailand and Egypt as co-chairs for the biennium 20052007, the working group held its first meeting in Bangkok on 3-4 July 2006, where 197 delegates from 37 countries gathered to discuss possible measures that would enhance cooperation in concrete terms. In his opening remarks, H.E. Dr. Pracha Guna-Kasem chief advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, emphasised the opportune timing of the AMED initiative in providing a forum for Asia and the Middle East to strengthen their ties and forge closer cooperation that would allow the two regions to take advantage of their resurgence in the global economy. These views were also reiterated in the opening remarks

by H.E. Mr. Tamer AbdelAziz Abdallah Khalil, the ambassador of Egypt to Thailand. He also emphasised the need to put lessons learned and creative initiatives into practice by adopting a concrete work plan that would yield tangible results. The co-chairs statement pertaining to Halal read, “The establishment of sub-working group to promote trade and investment facilitation on specific sectors of high potential, such as Halal food, financial services and joint industrial ventures has been agreed. “In this effort, the private sector will work hand in hand with the government sector. Other issues to be addressed included a Halal food certification programme with a view towards establishing a

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a moderated industry dialogue designed to highlight, analyse & resolve Australia-wide Halal industry issues in conjunction with

• Develop industry best practices • Clarify certification procedures • Maximise export potential • Network with industry professionals • Focus on the real issues • Make your views heard

Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), and financing facilities for trade and investment promotion,” it read. Meanwhile, the Thai government has emphasised on science and technology to promote Halal products for manufacturing and trade. This is not just to comply with Halal certification but to promote the food industry as well. In this regard, the Halal Science Centre in Bangkok is organizing the first International Halal Science Symposium in this September to not only demonstrate its readiness in terms of technical part for Halal science but also to protect Muslim consumers to get good, quality and Halal products so that consumers could preserve their faith and dignity.

Since its inauguration in May 2006, the World Halal Forum has rapidly gained recognition as the focal point of the global Halal industry. The goal of the WHF Industry Dialogue Melbourne is to get to the heart of the issues faced in specific market sectors in Australia. These issues will then be raised at the Annual World Halal Forum on 7-9 May 2007, and will be used to chart the development of this fast growing lucrative industry. The Melbourne event will focus on issues facing Australia in two key areas • Halal Meat & Dairy Industry • Halal Standards, Auditing & Certification

This not-to-be-missed one-day event is for Livestock Farmers, Food Manufacturers & Processors, Halal Abattoir Operators, Certification Agencies, Exporters, Government Agencies, Halal Restaurants Cost AUD 300 Includes full day’s attendance, all forum materials & resolutions (post event), all day coffee, tea & snacks, full lunch - PLUS a one year subscription to The Halal Journal magazine Online payments can be made at www.kasehdia.com Enquiries to +613 9667 0296 / 0246 Fax: +613 9667 0294 email: seminar@australiahalaltrade.com.au

Endorsed by

fast track | AUSTRALASIA

The Australian Halal Industry:

To be or Not to be Everybody knows Australian meat is big business and their Halal meat industry is naturally a direct beneﬁciary of this reputation. But how serious is the industry’s commitment to Halal? BY ZULFIKAR M. SHARIFF

INVISIBLE FRIENDS and heavy metal rockers. Some of the most memorable advertisements on Australian television involve the Australian meat industry. Whether it is about bringing an “invisible friend” to dinner to get a second helping of lamb or 70 year old heavy metal rockers who can run around after eating Australian meat, the message to viewers is simple - their meat is a premium commodity. It is also a massive industry. In 2002-03, Australia had 26.5 million cattle, of which approximately 9.2 million were slaughtered. The figure for sheep is even more astounding - there are about 100 million sheep in Australia, of which 16,177 tonnes s.w. (shipped weight) are exported to the Middle East alone during the financial year 2005-06, an increase of 35 per cent over the previous year. Out of the ten biggest importers of Australian food products, two are Muslim majority countries - Indonesia and Malaysia. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia also import Australian meat and food products substantially. Factor in the more than 400,000 Muslims in Australia who consume Halal food daily, the Australian meat industry is quickly recognised as an important supplier of Halal products. For the Halal industry, Australia is important for several key reasons. Firstly, its relative proximity to important predominant Muslim

42 THE HALAL JOURNAL

markets. Secondly, the openness and keenness as demonstrated by the government and industry on engaging with the Halal market. Finally and probably the most important, is the system and quality that are in place for the Halal market. According to John Hayes, managing director of Norvic and chairman of the Australia Meat Industry Council (AMIC) Halal Committee, the Australian system is easily compatible with Halal standards as both seek the same outcome. “What Norvic and the AMIC want is compatible with Halal. It is about meat that is safe and wholesome.” This view is echoed by Brian Norwood, chairman for Elders (Victoria, Riverina and Tasmania). According to Norwood, Halal food should be understood, not just in the context of being permissible according to the Islamic system but also that the food is “wholesome and hygienic.” “Halal is compatible with Australian standards and is fit for consumption by consumers, regardless of religious background. Furthermore, Australia works with multiple Halal certification agencies to ensure its strict compliance to Halal standards,” said Norwood. Recognising the need to ensure Halal certification is implemented by proper and authorised organisations, the Australian government recently developed the Australian

Government Muslim Slaughter program (AGMS). AGMS is overseen by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and forms the basis for Halal red meat export certification to the majority of destination countries for meat export. In addition to the AGMS program, the Halal Consultative Committee was also formed in 2004 to provide a forum for the Australian Government, industry and Islamic representatives to develop, enhance and promote the integrity of Australian Halal red meat production, certification and export. It should provide an effective means of continuing consultation and dissemination of information between the key stakeholders within the Halal export industry. According to Yasser Soliman, chairman of International Halal Management Pty Ltd (ILHAM) and former president of the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV), “The government’s proactive stance in regards to the Halal industry and its keenness to participate and improve its systems means that the Australian Halal industry will continue to flourish.” This keenness is taken up by the private sector that not only sees the benefits of their involvement in the Halal market, but is also fully committed to enhance their value within the Halal industry. Brian Norwood iterated this stance by saying, “Australian companies need to decide whether we want to participate in the Halal market or not. If we do not, then we are closing ourselves to a very large and important segment. But if we do, we need to make sure that we go all the way.”

fast track | AFRICA

Specialised Marketing Mission for Halal Products Organised to South Africa

THE MALAYSIAN External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is organising a specialised mission to South Africa this September 3 – 8, 2006 and they are looking to entice businesses within Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town to continue their support of Malaysia’s vision to become a Halal hub. Part of the main objective of this specialised trade mission, according to En. Zakaria Kamaruddin, director of Services & Product Promotion, Matrade, is to help promote Halal events being held in Malaysia during May next year. This would invariably include the World Halal Forum (WHF) and the Malaysian International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) and the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 promotion by the Malaysian Tourism. “We had a lot of repeat buyers and international participants throughout the three years of MIHAS and most

admitted that they don’t want to miss coming to Malaysia in May. Its time that we pay them a visit to their country and hope to build on the spirit of camaraderie amongst Halal players from around the world,” said En. Zakaria. Aside from enticing South African businesses to the Malaysian next year, the five-day specialised mission is also aimed at familiarising the Malaysian Halal players with the four main South African Halal certification agencies as well as smaller Halal traders. The mission would also undertake business matching sessions between the Halal product manufacturers and service providers in both countries. “South Africa has a multi-cultural and diverse population, much like Malaysia. The Halal market there is growing steadily and as the Halal industry develops, manufacturers and retailers are looking to increase the

public’s awareness of their products and services. MIHAS could readily provide for that platform and I believe that both countries have much to offer in terms of Halal,” En. Zakaria added. Estimated to number about one million, the Muslim population in South Africa are mainly descendants of Malay and Indian origin, with a fast emerging African component. Although the population of Muslims in South Africa is only about 2.5 per cent of the total country population, there is an increased focus in meeting the needs of these Muslim consumers. Like in Malaysia, Muslim consumers in South Africa identify Halal products by looking for the Halal logo from one of the four Halal certification organisations before making their purchase. The certifying organisations in South Africa are the South African National Halal Authority (SANHA), National Independent

Halaal Trust (NIHT), Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) and Islamic Council of South Africa (ICSA). It must also be noted that these four organisations are not unified and operate independently, each with their own set of Halal certification guidelines. The Malaysian Trade Commission Office recently published a report detailing the prospects for Malaysian exporters to South Africa. It said that South Africa has a potential for Halal food not just because of its increasing Muslim population, but also their dependency on imported food. Factors such as the expansion of South Africa’s tourism industry, increase in working women and a general interest for quick meals offer opportunities for microwavable products, food packs and frozen foods. With the increasing number of Halal items on display in supermarkets, this type of distribution channel will account for a larger share of product distribution, and Malaysian companies should look to these major retailers as an outlet for their Halal products. The report also pointed that Malaysian suppliers should survey the tastes and preferences of Muslim consumers, and thus identify which products would actually have potential in South Africa. The report also detailed the types of foodstuffs that have potential in South Africa, if they carry a Halal logo. It includes prepared meals, pastas, sauces, instant curries, frozen foods, crisps, deli meats including polony, sausages, salami, chocolates, sweets, canned foods, fruit juices, herbal teas, pizzas and noodles.

THE HALAL JOURNAL

fast track | EUROPE

France

Still Slow in Meeting Halal Demand Earlier this year, several of France’s major retailers announced the plan to set up dedicated Halal sections within their supermarket chains. The Halal Journal checks with a local on what has been achieved since then and what is the prevailing scenario in France as far as Halal is concerned.

2. Most retail stores are franchise owned, so some store owners will either decide to set up or not a Halal segment based on the sensitivity of the existing customers. “Muslims in France still have to live with a negative connotation, so store owners are less likely to set up dedicated Halal shelves in their stores for fear that it will drive the non Muslim customers away.”

MALAYSIAN HALAL producers, through various trade organisations and governmental agencies, were invited to participate in a proposal late last year which aims to penetrate the Halal food and beverages market segment in France through instore promotion programmes in selected hypermarkets. The setting up of dedicated Halal segments within selected hypermarkets in France is an indication of two emerging trends: that the French hypermarkets are actually realising the full potential of the Halal industry and believes it can help fight their declining market share; and more interestingly, that the seven to eight million former North African immigrant Muslims are beginning to exert a stronger purchasing influence within the French retail economy. Realising its full repercussion to the local and global Halal trade, The Halal Journal checked with a local Muslim for updates on this newly developing

44 THE HALAL JOURNAL

trend and what it would mean to certified-Halal food manufacturers and exporters all over the world, especially South East Asia. “The situation however is still not improving, but it is beginning to get organised,” said Bahri Ouzariah, export director for Innovation Developpement En Nutrition Animale, France, who is also of a Tunisian descendent. “With the realisation that the non Muslims are still food manufacturers for the Muslims here in France, Halal industry here is still very much represented by the fresh meat industry.” Like Bahri, French Muslims, who are now in their fourth generation, are commanding bigger salaries and lead a more hectic lifestyle. Naturally, they are beginning to shift away from traditionally-prepared home-cooked meals to more processed foods, hence the hypermarkets realised that if they do not tap into this emerging segment, somebody else will.

According to Bahri, the hypermarket industry in France is currently dominated by the big three - Carrefour, Auchan and LeClerc, representing more than 80 per cent of the industry. These retailers realise that there is potential value available within Halal industry in France but many are still reluctant to take a more direct approach to benefit from the huge demand. Bahri revealed that there are several ongoing scenarios that are contributing to the slow acceptance, both by the French retailers as well as the Muslim public, which include: 1. Setting up Halal shelves is not an official national policy, just an industry policy to satisfy the socio and psychological demand of the Muslim population in France. Because of this, it is not based on a concrete statistical data on the buying patterns of the Muslims. “So you get some stores implementing Halal segments while some have put it in the pipeline for future projects.”

3. There is also the question of authenticity of the Halal certification. As it is, there is not a single official organisation in France that can be called a credible Halal certifier. Since it is not regulated, any organisation can actually set up a Halal certification body and this is happening with some food manufacturers. “In the end, there has been a growing sense of mistrust by the public as well as the retailers as to the authenticity of the Halal logo on the packaging.” 4. Finding a good variety for Halal certified products is also still a major concern. As it is, Halal foods in France still mainly refer to fresh meats and a very small number of processed foods like pizza and such. Stocking up the shelves is therefore a major issue for the retailers. “So, if you come in the morning, the products may be there but when you come after work, it’s all sold out.” “It will take a little more time for France to have proper and large dedicated Halal shelves in its supermarket which can satisfy the Muslim’s demand properly,” said Bahri.

fast track | EUROPE

Thirty-two national teams and millions of fans around the world descended upon 12 German cities last June-July to watch their favourite teams engage in the world’s largest and arguably greatest sporting event – the FIFA World Cup.

Muslims & Halal in World Cup 2006 OUT OF the thirty-two teams that qualified for Germany 2006, there were three representing Muslim nations; Iran, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. While neither of them made it to the last 16, one might be interested to note how each of them fared. Based on the overall ranking of the tournament, Saudi Arabia came in 28th, Iran tied in with the US for the 25th rank and Tunisia came in 24th. While these teams tend to perform better in a regional capacity, they failed to leave a lasting impression in the World Cup finals. The teams’ lack of performance has been attributed to injuries suffered by key players and to their lack of experience on the World Cup stage. In terms of food matters, since the time of ancient Olympics, athletes have always been concerned with the food that they consume. With the understanding that an athlete’s food intake can significantly affect his or her performance, food science has become increasingly important in the arena of sports, with most athletes following highly

specialised diets and consuming special sports drinks. However, in addition to proper balance and nutrition, it is also important for religious dietary requirements to be met. With reference to the Muslim teams and players that participated in the World Cup, one cannot help but wonder if the food served to them was in keeping with Halal requirements. The importance of serving Halal food to these players is not merely to fulfil religious requirements. Rather, it is what Halal can offer the players – a peace of mind with God and a sense of relief that the food they are eating is in keeping with their faith. Although there is a lack of information in this area, it is interesting to note that the Islamic needs of the Saudi team were apparently met by the Hotel Dolce in Bad Nauheim, near Franfurt where they made it a point to serve the team players with specially created menu’s which was reported to have neither pork or alcohol.

fast track | AMERICAS

Embassy Celebrates US Beef Return FOLLOWING the announcement made by Malaysian Department of Agriculture early March to end a two-year ban on US beef imports to the country, the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has greeted the move and sees it as a good first step toward resuming normal US beef trade with Malaysia, as well as the rest of the world. The ban, which was imposed beginning December 2003 following the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy or Mad Cow Disease in Washington State, followed similar sanctions by other countries, most notably Japan being US’ biggest overseas market worth over USD1.4 billion, or 40 per cent of their annual beef export. Celebrating the return, Jonathan Gressel, Agricultural Counselor at the Office of Agricultural Affairs, US Embassy, noted that Malaysia’s decision to lift the temporary suspension on US beef imports was especially important for them since it provides further guarantee when a country’s regulatory authorities review their BSE measures and concur that the beef is indeed safe. Reiterating his assurance, Gressel pointed out that several stringent measures have been adopted to safeguard the food security aspect, which according to him, is “protected by an interlocking set of safeguards”. The most important of these, he said, is the ban that keeps specified risk materials from out of the human food supply, including cattle parts that are most likely to carry the disease if they were present. “The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also imposes other controls at slaughter houses such as a ban on nonambulatory cattle being slaughtered for human consumption. The most important animal health safeguard is the 1997 ban on ruminantto-ruminant feeding. This measure prevents the disease from spreading among cattle and by preventing such spread contributes to increased public health protection,” he said. Gressel noted that countries which have implemented the ruminant-to-ruminant feed bans as they did in 1997 have seen incidences of BSE drop dramatically in their cattle population. Other safeguard measures adopted also include restrictions on the importation of live ruminants and most ruminant products from countries where BSE is known to exist. He reasoned that

46 THE HALAL JOURNAL

the longer a feed ban has been in place, the fewer animals are left that would have been exposed to the contaminated feed. To substantiate this, USDA recently released a prevalence estimate for BSE in the United States, which is based on data gathered from not only the enhanced surveillance effort that has been underway since June 2004, but also from surveillance conducted in the United States in the last five years. They have concluded that the most likely number of cases present in the United States is between four and seven animals, out of a herd of 42 million. “Thus we can now say, based on science, that the prevalence of BSE in the United States is extraordinarily low,” said Gressel. Prior to the ban in 2003, the US exported just under USD3.5 billion worth of beef around the world, with Japan importing USD1.4 billion while Malaysia accounted for USD1.9 million. This figure dropped to USD600 million in 2004 at the height of the ban but increased to over USD1.0 billion in 2005. The first five months of 2006 saw US beef exports grow by 72 per cent over the same period last year, fed largely by

the lifting of ban. To date, over 70 countries have now opened up to US’ beef including Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Thailand within this region. “The recovery of our worldwide beef market is of significant importance to US exporters. We expect this to be a slow process, limited in part by restrictions that we continue to face, even in markets that are currently open to us,” said Gressel. He pointed that in some markets, they can only export boneless beef and not the bone-in cuts, like porterhouse and ribs, and variety meats that are popular in many other markets. They will nonetheless work with these countries to accept other cuts, in line with international guidelines. “US agriculture is always on the lookout for new export opportunities. We are seeing increased trade in fresh fruits, tree nuts, processed products, and food ingredients. With the USDA Organic Certification program to provide consumer assurance, we are also seeing increased exports of organic foods. We also hope to see more US slaughterhouses qualify for exporting Halal beef to Malaysia in the future,” he added.

fast track | AMERICAS

Crescent Poultry:

Amish Raised, Halal Processed Unless you’re old enough to remember grandma heading out to the barnyard with a hatchet, you’ve never had really fresh chicken.

IN FACT, most of us may not know just how luscious fresh fowl can be. One American poultry producer claims to be able to deliver chickens this fresh. Meet Ahmad Adam, an engineering double degree graduate who learned about farming, hard work and respect from his father. He attended leading US universities, then combined his interest with his education, and set about developing a better way to eat. His goal was to bring the American consumer premium Halal products for all to enjoy the freshness and hygienic taste of poultry. In 1996, Crescent Foods was born. Although it hasn’t been easy, the company today is America’s leading provider of premium Halal poultry with placements in 45 states across the country. “Halal is a term well understood by everyone familiar with Muslim law. It is applied to the manner by which animals are fed, raised and slaughtered. A Halal lifestyle represents healthy choices in food nutrition and safety,” Ahmad explained. “Birds, and all animals, must be fed vegetarian feeds and raised as cleanly and humanely as possible, then processed by hand. All equipment, tools and locations involved in the process must be Halal sanctioned. The end result is a better choice for all consumers in terms of healthy food with the finest flavours,” he went on. Ahmad’s business model requires birds being raised and processed in strict accordance with Halal standards. The problem was finding this elusive feathered gem. “Chickens you see, don’t want to be in separate cages. They like to

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be in flock with rooms to move around, lots of sunny windows and fresh air. Exercise after all, is good for all creatures great and small,” he said. Ahmad soon realised that the Amish have the right idea. They raise chickens on nutrition-rich grains and other natural non-meat foods such as soy. With the finest feed plus room to grow, birds develop their muscles and as a result, “we have chickens with better fiber, finer flavour, and less fat,” according to him. “Our birds are raised on Amish farms in the Indiana heartland and then further processed in strict accordance with Halal standards, with no artificial ingredients, preservatives, colouring agents or hormones. All our fresh and frozen whole chicken, parts and patties are completely natural and Halal certified. I dare say that there’s no better chicken on earth and that’s a pure and simple truth,” he said. Crescent Foods supply poultry in a variety of forms and packaging to retail stores, restaurants and institutions. Be it fresh or frozen, they offer whole or parts of chicken, in

non-breaded patties, sausages and nuggets. In addition, the company also offer customers a full range of in-store posters, table tents and other support materials to help them educate the consumers. Though they are a large corporation today, Ahmad pointed out that corporate growth has been constant but controlled for them, maintained at a pace that “assures our ability to provide first rate service to the customers.” He added that their products are available as Crescent brand or Hilal brand. “Either is appropriate for the mainstream market, but Hilal is the brand to choose if you serve the large Halal market exclusively.” “Today there are more than 10 million Muslim consumers in the United States,” Ahmad said. “Not only is this market growing, but so is non-Islamic interest in Halal foods as a clean source of delicious nutrition. So whether you are a retailer selling our products or an organisation serving it, we have a full variety of cuts, sizes, packs and packaging to suit your particular needs.”

fast track | AMERICAS

Tom’s of Maine Now Halal Certified!

Leading American natural and organic producer Tom’s of Maine has recently earned IFANCA’s Halal certification - making them one of the few personal care companies to be certified Halal. TOM’S OF MAINE, a leading American manufacturer of natural personal care products since 1970, has been awarded by the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America or IFANCA the Halal logo, making it one of the few personal care companies to have Halal certification. Having been at the forefront of this innovative idea for over three decades now, Tom’s of Maine is today the number one Natural Care brand, with nearly 200 employees and 90 oral and body care products found at more than 40,000 retail outlets across the world. A crossfunctional team of Tom’s of Maine employees worked with IFANCA to obtain the Halal logo, which will now grace all of Tom’s product packaging. Their products are also kosher and vegan certified. The Halal Journal checks with its co-founder and chief executive officer, Tom Chappel on their rationale for going Halal. WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCED YOU TO GET YOUR PRODUCTS HALAL CERTIFIED? “For 36 years, Tom’s of Maine has prided itself on using ingredients sourced from nature, not testing on animals and not using animal ingredients. The pursuit of this certification reinforces our commitment to providing the most effective and purest products for a wide variety of people. Tom’s has a strong history of working to meet the dietary and religious requirements of a variety of groups as our

products are also vegan and kosher. We’re excited by this news and believe when you create products with clear values in mind, you end up with higher quality ingredients and more effective products. (With Halal) Tom’s of Maine now has the opportunity to serve a whole new community of people who make buying decisions based on their values.” HOW DOES THE CONCEPT OF HALAL SYNERGIES WITH THE CORE PHILOSOPHIES OF YOUR COMPANY BEING NATURAL AND ORGANIC? “The Halal certification along with being vegan and kosher is a celebration of shared values and the common sense effort to encourage a more sustainable environment. The decision for Tom’s of Maine to pursue Halal certification was made several years ago after I attended a meeting in Washington, D.C. where I met several Muslim men who were commenting on how difficult it was to find food and personal products that met their dietary and religious needs.” WITH AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR NATURAL AND ORGANIC, DO YOU SEE THAT THE DAYS ARE NUMBERED FOR PRODUCTS THAT DO NOT SATISFY THE PREVAILING TRENDS OF CONSUMERS? “This is not something we would say. However, we do know that the number of Natural Care Consumers is growing every day. Nearly one of out of three adults or 63 million American consumers share natural care values and

are interested in buying in natural products. The current market for natural personal care products in the US is approximately USD15 billion and is growing by more than 15 per cent annually.” WHEN YOU APPLIED FOR A HALAL CERTIFICATION, DID YOU HAVE TO OMIT OR CHANGE ANY INGREDIENTS TO SUIT THE HALAL REQUIREMENTS? WAS IT A LENGTHY PROCESS? “No, we didn’t need to change any of our production practices, raw ingredients used in products or product formulas. The ingredients in Tom’s of Maine products were scrutinised and they passed IFANCA’s strict requirements with regard to zero tolerance for animal based ingredients and ethanol. Tom’s also met the standards regarding sanitation and cross-contamination of the manufacturing facilities. Our manufacturing facilities are inspected at least once yearly and the employees are educated on Halal production issues.”

THE HALAL JOURNAL

finance

Can Banks Help Rebuild

Zakat?

Words By KAMARUL AZNAM KAMARUZAMAN

While it may have been very hard for the Baitul Mal in Muslim caliphates of old to find the poor and the destitute to give Zakat to, many Muslim states today find it hard to collect Zakat, as the poor and the destitute remain largely neglected.

akat is not just one of the five pillars of Islam; it also happens to be one of the most important. It is mentioned in the Qur’an nearly thirty times along with prayers, and yet today, Zakat has been reduced to a mere supporting role and continues to be disregarded by the Muslims. Linguistically Zakat means growth, increase and purification. In Shariah, the term refers to the amount of money or kind taken from specific types of wealth when they reach a specific amount, at a specific time, which must be spent on specific categories, in specific ways. The types of wealth on which Zakat must be paid are monetary wealth, crops and livestock. There are five conditions that make Zakat obligatory, and one of them is the fact that monetary wealth and livestock must have been owned for a complete lunar year before Zakat is owed. This condition however does not apply to agricultural produce. 50 THE HALAL JOURNAL

THE PERFECT MODEL Some may wonder: how is it that Muslims today are still largely poor even though we have at our disposal a supposedly perfect and divine economic model? What is missing? Hajj Abdalhaqq Bewley in his book “Zakat: The Fallen Pillar of Islam” wrote, “…the truth is that the obligation of Zakat, as it has always been understood by the Muslims, is not being correctly discharged anywhere. This is because the necessary connection between Zakat and Muslim governance has been severed and because the Zakat of non-apparent wealth, that of money and merchandise, is not being paid in the only acceptable

form in which it is permitted to be paid – gold and silver. Zakat truly is the fallen pillar of Islam.” But there are also some quarters who argue on the flip side. “If one were to say that Zakat is a comprehensive solution to build the nation; that is incorrect,” said Mohd Rais Haji Alias, general manager of the Zakat Collection Centre for the Federal Territory Islamic Council (PPZ), a corporate body set up to collect Zakat in Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya. “It can only act as a mechanism to support the government’s efforts, because if we take a look at the government’s many programmes to eradicate poverty and social

finance Types of Zakat in Malaysia: Zakat is handled in many ways in various parts of the world. In Malaysia, Zakat is due either on income, business, savings, stocks and shares, employee provident funds, gold, silver, crops or livestock. The computation may vary from one type of Zakat to another. In the case of Zakat on income, it is 2.5 per cent of a person’s “liable to Zakat income” if the amount is not less than the nisab, which the rate of 85 grams of gold, equivalent to RM4,600. In this instance, the definition of “liable to Zakat income” varies. Some scholars define it as gross income for the year without any deduction for necessities, like the way farmers are assessed for their Zakat on their crops. Others allow the expenses for necessities to be deducted. The definition of necessities also varies. A practical approach used by PPZ is to allow a Zakat payer to calculate themselves the income on which he wants to pay their Zakat. Some Zakat payers use their gross annual income without any deduction as the basis.

believe that they should leave the payment of Zakat in the hands of their depositors.” “What they do is, they automate their banking system by default to deduct 2.5 per cent once the depositor’s lowest balance at year end is higher than the nisab. Our system is intelligent enough to do that,” said David Hii, of Microlink Solutions Berhad. In the end, whether or not this would translate into an opportunity to shape a true Halal economy remains to be seen, but all the necessary elements are already in place. Hajj Abdalhaqq

Bewley further wrote, “Our responsibility as Muslims remains the same wherever and whoever we are. Most communities have managed to establish the prayer. Most also observe the fast and many go on hajj. But as we have seen, Zakat is still absent and so it is the immediate and urgent obligation of every Muslim community to remedy that situation and put the missing pillar back in place.” “There can be no Islam without Zakat. But nor can there be any Zakat without the kind of Muslim leadership it necessitates,” he added. hj

finance update

NEW ISLAMIC INDEX COVERING BRAZIL, RUSSIA, INDIA AND CHINA LAUNCHED

KFH Forges Alliance with Main Takaful Operators Kuwait Finance House (Malaysia) Berhad (KFH) has forged a strategic alliance with three main Takaful operators, Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Berhad, Takaful Nasional and Takaful IKHLAS, to provide convenience for financing as well as Takaful protection for assets and properties. The arrangement paves the way for the partners to leverage on each other’s strengths and vast business networks. This strategic alliance will provide a convenient way for KFH customers to take up Takaful products with the three Takaful operators through KFH business channels. The Takaful products being made available to KFH customers are Takaful Mortgage Reducing Term Assurance (MRTA), Motor Takaful, Takaful Fire, Takaful House owners and other general Takaful products. At the same time, KFH is also providing Group Family Takaful coverage to all KFH employees as part of its staff hj benefits scheme.

HONG LEONG ISLAMIC AND AMANAH RAYA TO OFFER WILL WRITING SERVICE Hong Leong Islamic Bank (HLIB) signed a strategic partnership agreement with Amanah Raya Berhad (ARB) to market ARB’s Will Writing Service-i in its continuing efforts to enhance its financial service offerings to customers. The will writing service allows HLIB to provide a new wealth management solution to its customers with very competitive terms and at minimal cost. With this arrangement, the customers will be able to easily amend their will any number of times for no extra cost for so long as ARB remains the executor of the will. Customers are required to pay only RM250 for either a Muslim or NonMuslim will. There will be no custodian charges. This promotional price is available only until October 2006. HLIB managing director Daud Vicary Abdullah said, “We are very proud of our growth and achievements to date. Today, we are very excited about introducing the will writing service to customers. HLIB sees itself as a holistic hj financial provider to every customer segment.”

Dow Jones Indexes, a leading global index provider announced the launch of the Dow Jones Islamic Market BRIC Equal Weighted Index to measure the performance of companies in the Brazil, Russia, India and offshore China markets that pass screens for compliance with Islamic principles. Designed to serve as underlying for investment products such as mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other investable products, the Dow Jones Islamic Market BRIC Equal Weighted Index complements the Dow Jones BRIC 50 index, a blue-chip index that was launched on June 7 this year. “The Dow Jones Islamic Market BRIC Equal Weighted Index offers market participants two unique advantages: access to the performance of the most sought after emerging markets and exposure to an investable and Shari’ah compliant index that follows the superior methodology of the Dow Jones Islamic Market Indexes,” said Michael A. Petronella, president of Dow Jones Indexes. The four represented countries are equally weighted within the Dow Jones Islamic Market BRIC Equal Weighted Index. Simultaneously, the components of the index are weighted by free-float market capitalisation, subject to a 10 per cent cap on the weight of any individual security. The index will be reviewed quarterly in March, June, September and December. Historical index values are available daily back to Dec. 31, 2005. The base value of the index is set at 1,000 as of that date. Dow Jones Indexes launched its Islamic Index family in 1999. Excluded from the Islamic Index series are stocks of companies that operate in alcohol, tobacco, pork-related products, financial services, defense/weapons, and entertainment. Also excluded are companies that fail any of three financial ratios: total debt divided by trailing 12-month average market capitalisation is greater than or equal to 33 per cent or more; cash plus interest-bearing securities divided by trailing 12-month average market capitalization is greater than or equal to 33 per cent; and accounts receivables divided by total assets is greater than or equal to 33 per cent or more. hj

THE HALAL JOURNAL

2006 SEPT+OCT THE

HALAL

JOURNAL

LIVING

HALAL, FAIR TRADE & ORGANIC ENAK KL ISLAM: A SACRED LAW JORDAN: GATEWAY FOR WEST ASIA PRODUCT ON DISPLAY

ETHICAL CONSUMERISM? THANKS, MAKE MINE HALAL. Words By KAMARUL AZNAM KAMARUZAMAN

The growth of organic and natural, care for animals and the environment, and demand for fair trade are all helping Halal gain a stronger foothold within the global economy. Why? Simply because Halal encompasses all of these, and more! As

far as I can remember, buying groceries at the local supermarket was never a major hassle, until now. Staring back at me in the spaghetti aisle now are a myriad of products with attractive packaging and numerous quality seals plastered onto the labels, or ‘trust marks’ as one friend calls them. Be it ‘organic’, ‘vegetarian’, ‘fairtrade’ or ‘heart-friendly’, manufacturers are realising that consumers today are getting more personal in their buying habits and are more ethically minded, looking for independent logos to help make their choices. Foods and health care products that give quick and easy indications of the product’s benefits stand a higher chance of ending up in the consumer’s trolley. As more manufacturers embrace the changing scenarios of consumerism, we note the increasing usage of the term ‘ethical consumerism’ almost to the point of it being over-used; but one can understand why.

According to a survey conducted by ConAgra Foods, one of North America’s favourite food companies producing popular brand names such as Chef Boyardee, Healthy Choice, Hunt’s and Slim Jim, 95 per cent of shoppers (or four times as many than last year) would consider buying products that come with quality marks. The survey, conducted in April 2006 involving approximately 1,000 consumers, further revealed that while the three primary consumer demands continue to be taste, convenience and nutrition, there is an increasing number that need help in identifying what is good for them. “Consumers are looking for seals of standards that they recognise and that they trust as a mark of quality food,” said Garth Neuffer, ConAgra’s communications director. “What a lot of people are looking for now is an ingredient you can’t put on a package: more time.” Other trust marks identified by the firm include ‘whole grains’, ‘low sodium’, ‘natural’, ‘dietary guidelines’ and ‘0% trans fat’. Given the feel-good factors in all of these concepts, it is interesting to note that Halal readily encompasses all of these values, and more. A Halal logo should not only guarantee that the product does not contain what God has forbidden, it should also indicate that the product was produced by a company that does business in an ethical and morally-acceptable manner. Sure some of these may not be included as mandatory requirements to obtain a Halal logo, but the concepts of healthy and organic, care for the environment, animal welfare and fair trade are already embedded within the Islamic principles of Shariah, and subsequently Halal. Halal is all about ethical values, and as more and more consumers realise that ethics are vital in bringing some order into this increasingly tumultuous age, awareness of Halal is simultaneously expanding. Lets take the fair-trade mark for instance, an independent consumer label that guarantees that disadvantaged producers in developing countries are getting a better deal. For a product to display the fair-trade mark, it must meet international fair-trade standards

56 THE HALAL JOURNAL LIVING

set by the Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO). FLO, who inspect and certify the producers of Fairtrade products, would then guarantee that the producers did receive a minimum price that would cover the cost of sustainable production and an extra premium that is invested in social or economic development projects. Sounds much like a Halal economy if you ask me; i.e. the sourcing of Halal ingredients from suppliers at a fair price, then manufactured within a Halal facility that practices ethical business, using pure Halal funding, and traded with other Halal businesses around the globe. Sounds far-fetched? Think again.

“Consumers are looking for seals of standards that they recognise and that they trust as a mark of quality food,”

Take Tawfiq Mathlouti for example, founder of the 34th world’s most recognisable brand - Mecca Cola, which is now sold in more than 64 countries worldwide. Tawfiq by the way, gives 20 per cent of his company’s shares to an NGO that helps distribute half of his profits to Palestinian children and another half for the local charity where his soft drinks are sold, including in Israel. “With its very humble beginning, Mecca Cola has managed to change a lot of things,” he said. “For instance today, we have 486 new brands within the Arab and the Muslim world that follow the example of Mecca Cola of doing business using charity. This will create a new dynamic way of doing business.” Indications are already pointing to that direction amongst

the non-Muslim manufacturers, whether they realise that it is Halal or not. As it is, many organic producers are realising that they might as well be Halal certified since the two concepts share the same objective – ethical consumerism. “Tom’s of Maine’s decision to pursue Halal certification was based entirely on the values of the company and our ongoing effort to serve yet another group of consumers based on their values including dietary and religious needs,” said Tom Chappel, cofounder of the popular all-natural personal care products. “We expect and hope that our products will sell among those seeking products with Halal certification. However, we neither sought data nor measured what this would mean in the way of increased consumer reach. It was a value based decision, not a ‘potential profit’ driven decision,” he added. This echoes with what is being said by The San Francisco Chocolate Factory, which produces 100 per cent organic and fair trade certified chocolates. “We felt very strongly that it was important to incorporate the principles of fair trade into this new product,” said general manager Robert Kopf. “We are very proud and happy to have been able to bring a socially responsible product to the market that not only meets our high quality standards but also supports a better life for the families and communities most directly affected by the cocoa business,” he added. This “socially responsible product” should explicitly be produced by an industry of morality, as pointed out by Kerchin Cattle Industry of Inner Mongolia (see page 39). Without being guided by morals or ethics, businesses are left free to do whatever they please; including toying with consumer’s health and lives in the name of bigger margins and profits. Halal, as it’s full meanings continue to be unpacked, is increasingly being seen as an all-encompassing concept that demands serious consideration by all manufacturers and businesses, especially the ones that already believe in the concept of ethical consumerism. As they say, if you hj can’t beat them, join them.

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browsing

Restaurant Review

Enak KL Warm whitewashed walls with an interesting shadow-play of artwork, brightly coloured upholstery on the chairs and warm wooden notes create a comfortable atmosphere at Enak KL where you can enjoy the best of classic Malay and Indonesian cuisine. A wide variety of gastronomical treats are available from the menu, carefully selected to cater for your tastebuds, a melting pot of flavours that will more than satisfy the uninitiated. For the adventurous, fillets of seabream simmered in a chilli-hot gravy with a dash of tamarind will set your mouth watering. For the diner who prefers a more subtle flavour, king prawns gently cooked in a rich creamy sauce with candlenut and bay leaves will leave a lasting impression in your mouth. Prepare to be blown away with the best of local fares. Address: LG2, Feast Floor, Starhill Gallery, 181 Jln Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: +603 2141 8973 Specialty: Malaysian and Indonesian cuisines Opening hours: 12 pm – 12 am, Monday to Sunday Seating capacity: 85 pax, up to 110 for private functions

Book Review

CD Review

IMAN, JUST REMEMBER

This is the debut album of Iman, a Cape Town-based nasheed group showcasing Wahied Kannemeyer as a nasheed artist and lead vocalist, backed by brothers Rifaat and Nizaam Moses and Faizel Abrahams. Besides enjoying and appreciating the tradition of Qur’anic recitals, dhikr and qasidah early on in their lives, they were also influenced by western and Spanish musical tradition, including the flamenco guitar, by way of artists such as Jessie Cook, Gypsy Kings and Paco de Lucia. Iman’s members also enjoy and are influenced by the musical genre of Malaysian and Indonesian nasheed groups such as Raihan and Rabbani. These influences can be appreciated in the group’s ability to sing with and without musical accompaniments or acapella.

58 THE HALAL JOURNAL LIVING

ISLAM: A SACRED LAW

What Every Muslim Should Know About Shariah BY FEISAL ABDUL RAUF

It is not often that an author manages to tackle this subject with a good degree of intellectual depth and at the same time make it understandable for the layman. Feisal Abdul Rauf, the long-serving Imam of a New York mosque and chairman of the Cordoba Initiative has managed to achieve this. In addition to confirming all the basics of madhhab-based knowledge, by looking more deeply into, for example, the distinctions between hadith and sunnah, as well as other components of jurisprudence (such as ‘protecting the common good’, and ‘removing of the means of going astray’), Imam Feisal confirms that the doors of ijtihad are indeed open. At the same time, he reminds us that there is much more to our sacred law than many may think, and that legal judgements are best suited to those who are actually qualified to make them.

on display HALAL PRODUCTS ARE THOSE THAT ARE GOOD, PURE AND SAFE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. IT RANGES FROM FOOD TO COSMETICS, PHARMACEUTICALS TO TOILETRIES. HERE ARE SOME OF THE PRODUCTS WITH THE HALAL GUARANTEE. Binari’s Feminine Wash Binari scented Intimate Feminine Wash is a gentle and safe cleanser specially formulated to care for women’s personal hygiene. It maintains the natural pH level and protects from infections as it is formulated with gentle cleansing agents and natural fragrance, allowing it to be used even 2-3 a day. It also contains traditional herbal extracts of manjakani (oak gall), long known for its muscle rebuilding, antiinflammation and antiseptic properties. Extracts of betel leaves, aloe vera and vitamin E (tocopherol) also helps repair and protects the skin. For more information on this JAKIM Halal certified product, please email info@binarypharma.com.

The Tropic Cook’s Tapioca Chips Fresh from the farms of Asia’s tropical climate, tapioca or cassava is fast becoming a popular snack for many around the world. Fast and easy to grow, tapioca plants require no special care as it absorbs nutrients directly from the soil, providing natural nutrients for the human body. Rich in fiber and delightfully crunchy, The Tropic Cook’s Tapioca Chips are made from the finest ingredients and is available in three delicious flavours – curry, original and black pepper. This home-cooked, export quality snack is sold in major retailers across Malaysia. For more information, please email robiah_ahmad@yahoo.com

Pepsodent Toothpaste Studies have shown that 70 per cent of children under the age of twelve suffer from dental decay while 9 out of 10 adults have suffered from dental cavities at some point in their life. Introducing Pepsodent - a brand synonymous with complete oral protection for the entire family and is the best selling brand in Indonesia. Recently re-launched for the Malaysian market, Pepsodent is certified Halal by Majelis Ulama Indonesia and comes in three variants – Pepsodent 12-hours protection, Pepsodent Herbal and Pepsodent Plus Whitening. Priced between RM1.60 RM 4.70 based on sizes, the Unilever product is available in all leading retails outlets nationwide.

Aidilfitri pewter packages from Royal Selangor Named after the joyful expressions surrounding Aidilfitri, Royal Selangor offers four raya packages – Syawal, Fitri, Barakah and Salaam – to celebrate peace, fellowship and unity of this Muslim festival in true Malaysian style. Accompanied by a delicate piece of hand drawn batik by renowned batik artist Emilia Tan, each package features skillfully crafted arabesque designs on functional pewterware. Welcome visiting friends and family with refreshing beverages from a pewter pitcher serve in dainty pewter tumblers found in the Syawal bundle. The coolness of refrigerated drinks retained by the pewter ensures a truly thirst-quenching experience during your open house. Impress guests with Fitri by serving tit-bits or cookies in a cembul and pewter coasters with traditional wood carving motif. For a bigger serving of festive bits, the Barakah bundle offers a beautiful geometric pewter-lidded cookie jar filled with irresistible butter cookies. Looking for a balik kampung gift this Hari Raya? Royal Selangor has the perfect gift idea. Consisting of a photoframe and an intricately carved trinket box, the Salaam bundle will surely capture the joyous celebration of Hari Raya. Starting from RM150, the Royal Selangor Aidilfitri packages are available at all Royal Selangor outlets as well as the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre in Setapak. For more info, log on to www. royalselangor.com

SiTO Supercharged Oxygenated Water The body uses oxygen in more ways than one. Apart from being a key component in the air that we breathe, oxygen is also beneficial for body detoxification, relieving headaches, improving digestion, stamina and alertness, as well as relieving tiredness and delaying signs of ageing. SiTO Oxygen drinking water is a perfect complement to any supplements for that additional boost in immunity and energy level. Produced through a HACCP-certified 7-steps process, SiTO Oxygen is produced with a proprietary Oxygen enrichment process, allowing extra oxygen to be stabilised and dissolved in the bottled water. This JAIS and IFANCA-certified Halal product is highly oxygenated and pure with less than 2 ppm of total dissolved solids. For more info, log on to www.sitonet.com or call +603-7845 6888. THE HALAL JOURNAL LIVING

country in focus

JORDAN THE GATEWAY TO

GLOBAL TRADE IN WEST ASIA

trategically situated at the crossroads of several trade routes that linked the lands of China, India, and South Arabia with the Mediterranean world, the ancient city of Petra, in the modern-day country of Jordan, came into prominence in the late first century through the success of the spice trade. As proficient entrepreneurs, the Nabataean Arabs were among the first to settle in Jordan, and took tactical advantage of Petra’s location. They offered water and a safe haven for merchants, collected fees for their service, and developed Petra into a rich and powerful centre of international commerce. Today, Jordan’s geographical advantage still holds true for global trade and communication - located at the north-western corner of the Arabian Peninsula, it is bound by Syria in the north, Saudi Arabia on the south, Iraq and Saudi Arabia on the east, and the Occupied West Bank and Israel in the west - rendering a multi-border characteristic that propels Jordan as a focal trading centre for the Middle Eastern region. In the past decade, Jordan has undergone extensive economic reforms, particularly in areas of privatisation to improve the business and investment climate. Additionally, the government pursued comprehensive efforts to liberalise trade and implement legislative and regulatory reform, Words By SHARIFAH SHAZANA SYED SALIM AGHA

60 THE HALAL JOURNAL LIVING

in efforts to secure Jordan’s membership in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Graduating from a decade of IMF programs in June 2004, the government has so far managed to maintain overall economic stability, despite regional disturbances. Limited to the natural resources of phosphates and potash, the Jordanian economy depends largely on services, tourism and foreign aid, of which United States is the main provider. Jordan has one of the best health services and the highest literacy rates in the region. Its labour is considered to be one of the most highly qualified in the region and highly competitive in terms of wages. Despite the limited mineral resources of the country, the mining sector does play a large role in the Jordanian economy as it represents the main part of the proceeds from Jordanian exports; Jordan is considered one of the largest exporters of phosphates in the world.

In moving forward, Jordan is increasingly becoming a production hub with access to the Middle Eastern economies, as its strategic trade agreements with the US, EU and other Arab countries is said to offer investors access to markets of over one billion consumers. The Jordan – US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is by far the most attractive element of Jordan’s trade relations. Being the first Arab country to sign such an agreement with the United States, the FTA has become a point of achievement for Jordan. This agreement has been gradually lifting tariffs on goods and services between the two countries and aims to eventually eliminate all duties and commercial barriers over a ten year period, a process that will be completed by the year 2010. This means that investors can run a plant in Jordan, manufacture products and export them to the United States with no tariffs imposed. Another major agreement is the Euro-Jordanian Association

Jordan at a Glance Agreement which calls for the gradual removal of trade barriers and the establishment of a free zone with the European Community over a twelve year period. The accord will encourage more direct European investments, provide free access to EU market for the Kingdom’s agriculture and industrial products and facilitate the transfer of state-of-the-art technology to Jordan. Access to other Arab markets is also possible through GAFTA (Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement). Under this agreement, goods originating from member Middle Eastern states are awarded the status of national goods and can move freely over the Arab world without quota or duties. AGRICULTURE AND THE FOOD INDUSTRY Jordan is self-sufficient in a number of agricultural products, but still imports basic items such as wheat, barley, corn, dairy products, sugar, red meat, rice, and legumes. The contribution of the agricultural sector to the country’s GDP in 2005 was 3.5%, with the industry sector at 29.9% and services at 66.7%. Although intensive irrigation and modernisation processes are available, the primary obstacle to local agriculture is the

shortage of natural fresh water resources. Over 91% of the country’s land mass is classified as desert or arid desert, and irrigation agriculture currently accounts for about 72% of Jordan’s entire water usage. About 80% of local agricultural production consists of fruits, vegetables and citrus. These constitute 70% of agricultural exports, while Jordan’s agricultural exports make up 10% of Jordan’s total export. Among Jordan’s primary foodstuff imports are live animals, meat and fish, wheat and wheat flour, rice, barley, maize, nuts, sugar, coffee, tea, cocoa, spices, fodder, beverages, tobacco, animal and vegetable oils. The food processing industry in Jordan is stronger than the agricultural sector in terms of strength and potential, and represents Jordan’s largest manufacturing sector. Interestingly enough, 73% of meat and meat products are exported although there is a lack of information with regard to whether these products are Halal. According to the Jordan Investment Board (JIB) the Agri-food sector in Jordan offers great opportunities

to investors particularly in the areas of puff pastry leaves, citric acid, PET Performs, Products from Olive Pomace, National Drinks, Instant Soup Noodles, Food Portions Packaging, Pasteurized Egg, Special Drinks, and Olive Pickling. The JIB also describes the food industry as the second most important sector in Jordan to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs). Among the major companies that have chosen Jordan as a production site are Coca Cola, Pepsi, Nestle, Del Monte, British American Tobacco, Carrefour, Sultan Centers, Americana and Starbucks. HALAL IN JORDAN According to Abeer AlAhmad from the Jordan Investment Board, Halal food in Jordan is placed under the jurisdiction of the Jordan Institute of Standards & Metrology (JISM). The guidelines or standards for Halal food in Jordan are mostly based on the Codex Alimentarius, a collection of internationally recognised standards relating to foods, food production and food safety. Under the Codex Alimentarius,

POPULATION: 5,906,760 CAPITAL: Amman GOVERNMENT TYPE: Constitutional monarchy CURRENCY: Jordanian dinar (JOD) ETHNIC GROUP: Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1% LANGUAGES: Arabic (oﬃcial), English widely understood among upper and middle classes RELIGIONS: Sunni Muslim 92%, Christians 6%, other 2% (several small Shi’a Muslim and Druze populations) GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY): $26.8 billion GDP – COMPOSITION BY SECTOR: agriculture 3.5%, industry 29.9%, services 66.7% BUDGET: revenues $2.8 billion, expenditures $4.688 billion AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS: wheat, barley, citrus, tomatoes, melons, olives; sheep, goats, poultry INDUSTRIES: textiles, phosphate mining, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, petroleum reﬁning, cement, potash, inorganic chemicals, light manufacturing, tourism INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION GROWTH RATE: 7.5% EXPORTS: $4.226 billion EXPORTS – COMMODITIES: clothing, phosphates, fertilizers, potash, vegetables, manufactures, pharmaceuticals EXPORTS PARTNERS: US 28.9%, Iraq 17.6%, India 7.1%, Saudi Arabia 5.6% IMPORTS: $8.681 billion IMPORTS-COMMODITIES: crude oil, textile fabrics, machinery, transport equipment, manufactured goods IMPORTS PARTNERS: Saudi Arabia 19.8%, China 8.4%, Germany 6.8%, US 6.8% (2004) Source: CIA World Factbook

general guidelines are given in labeling foods as Halal. However, there is yet the use of a standard Halal logo, although sources have indicated that the word ‘Halal’ is stamped on the packaging of certain foods. While the Jordanian government has not indicated plans to push the Halal food industry per se, there has been much effort to push and promote the Jordanian food sector in general. hj

THE HALAL JOURNAL LIVING

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parting words The term “Halal” was accepted by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and World Health Organization (WHO) when Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted the General Guidelines for Use of the Term “Halal” to supplement the guidelines on Claims in June 1997. The Halal Journal met with one of the pioneering Secretariat members, Mariam Abdul Latif on one of her most signiﬁcant contribution to the global Halal industry.

Halal in the FAO and WHO AS THE MALAYSIAN CODEX CONTACT POINT AND THE SECRETARIAT TO THE NATIONAL CODEX COMMITTEE IN 1996 UNTIL 1998, COULD YOU BRIEFLY EXPLAIN WHAT THE COMMISSION IS ALL ABOUT? Codex Alimentarius Commission, in short ‘Codex’, is an inter-governmental body established in 1962 by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and World Health Organization (WHO). It implements the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. The term “Codex Alimentarius’ are Latin words meaning “food code” or “food law”. Codex Alimentarius is a collection of internationally adopted food standards and guidelines presented in a uniform manner. The objectives of Codex are to protect the health of consumers, to ensure fair practices in food trade and to coordinate all international food standards work. WE HEARD YOU HAD TO DEFEND MANY ISSUES IN RELATIONS TO FOOD STANDARDS, INCLUDING THE ADOPTION OF THE GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR USE OF THE TERM ‘HALAL’. COULD YOU ELABORATE? The 22nd Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission convened in Geneva in 1997 witnessed the successful adoption of the Codex General Guidelines for Use of the Term “Halal”. Many comments were received and considered before its adoption and the Malaysian delegation, lead by Dr. Abdul Aziz Mangkat of Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia, to its Committee of Food Labelling made it clear that these guidelines are useful in food labelling and for consumer informed choice. The Codex General Guidelines for Use of the Term “Halal” are intended to supplement the Codex General Guidelines on Claims. It provides basic information and general measures on how food could be produced and claimed as Halal in food labelling and also includes its use in trade marks, brand names and business names as defined in the General Standard for the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods. The guidelines have been sent to all Member Nations and Associate Members of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) as an advisory text, and it is for individual governments to decide what use they wish to make of the guidelines.

64 THE HALAL JOURNAL

HOW DOES ONE TRANSLATE THIS WITHIN THE NATIONAL LEVEL? At the national level, prior to its adoption, a working committee chaired by Dr. Abu Bakar Hussin from MARDI, deliberated and revised the draft guidelines taking into consideration of all comments received from various countries. I was then the Secretary to the committee in 1995-1997. The issue of food labelling with regards to the Islamic religious requirements was first initiated when Malaysia presented a paper on “The Specific Labelling Provision for Processed Meat” at the Second Session of the Codex Coordinating Committee for Asia, which was held in Manila on 20-26 March 1979. The paper gave an overview of the labelling provision for processed meat products according to Islamic religious requirements in the context of Malaysia. This then led to many different stages of feedback, deliberation until its final adoption as “General Guidelines for Use of the Term Halal” in June 1997.

‘‘

The impact of trade globalisation or borderless world became clearer but equally frightening because at any point in time, we have to balance up whatever issues being raised at the Codex meetings not to impose or impede the progress of our industries.

AMONGST YOUR VARIED EXPERIENCES FORMULATING A HALAL STANDARD FOR THE GLOBAL INDUSTRY, WHAT WAS THE MOST INTERESTING ASPECT THAT YOU NOTICED? Formulating an international food standard such as Codex is interesting because one gets a lot of international exposure in terms of technical knowledge, language, culture, friends and the skills of lobbying and negotiation. Along the way, we learn to tolerate each other and compromise, at the same time bearing in mind to safeguard the national interest. The impact of trade globalisation or borderless world became clearer but equally frightening because at any point in time, we have to balance up whatever issues being raised at the Codex meetings not to impose or impede the progress of our industries. It will be quite difficult if a standard is adopted and our industries are not ready to implement it. I was involved in the first draft of MS1500 (The General Guidelines on the Production, Preparation,

’’

Handling and Storage of Halal Food) chaired by Prof. Dr. Yaakob Che Man, which was gazetted in 2000. The standard was based from the Codex Halal Guidelines. It is interesting to note that the revised version of the MS1500:2004 is further strengthened and more comprehensive outlining practical guidelines to produce Halal food taking into consideration of all comments received from all over the world. Alhamdulillah, we have finally a reference document on Halal food of international credibility, which is impossible if not for cooperation from the Department of Standard Malaysia and SIRIM Berhad. hj

The World Halal Forum

2007

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