CAIRO,
February 1 (IslamOnline.net) – Malaysia is becoming globally
recognised as the world’s halal food hub, despite its
cosmopolitan, multi-religious nature, making the country’s halal
food industry a role model and adding to the boom of tourism industry
in the Asian country, according to a report by a leading paper.
Between
1999 and 2003, tourists from Muslim Middle East countries to Malaysia
rose from about 20,000 to more than 800,000, The Star Online
said Monday, January 31, adding that this number is increasing.
“Foreign
Muslims are attracted to Malaysia not only by the beautiful scenery
and the prevailing peace, but also by the halal culinary
delights commonplace in the country.”
The
certification of halal food has been conducted throughout the
country since 1982 by the Department of Islamic Development of
Malaysia, the paper said.
“The
Codex Alimentarius Commission, which is responsible (under the United
Nations) for regulations of food preparation globally, has cited
Malaysia as the best example in the world in terms of justification of
halal food.”
Malaysia
organized its first International Halal Showcase (
)
on August 14. Several businessmen taking part in the prestigious event
considered it a real success with officials pledging to make Malaysia
a hub for halal products industry.
From
1995 to June 2003, the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (Mida)
issued licences to 424 food manufacturing companies with a total
investment of RM5.9bil, the paper said.
“Halalness”
Determining
the “Halalness” of a product goes beyond ensuring that food
is pork-free, the Star said.
Islamic
rulings stipulate that other than seafood, Muslims may only eat meat
that has been slaughtered in a specific manner, over which the name of
anything other than God cannot have been pronounced.
Halal
meat is prepared by slaughtering the animal with a cut to the throat
to allow the blood to drain from the animal.
This
is the most painless method of slaughter that the sudden loss of blood
from the head means the animals feel virtually nothing.
Halal
food also adheres to stringent
standards in hygiene and sanitation, and must not be harmful to
health.
Halal
food certification refers to the examination of food processes, from
the preparation, slaughtering, ingredients used, cleaning, handling
and processing, right down to transportation and distribution.
The
concept of halal food is truly from the farm to the table, and
must be nutritious and prepared from permissible ingredients in a
clean and hygienic manner.
Concerns
 |
|
Malaysian
worker at a halal meat store.
|
Since
Malaysia is serious to position itself as the halal food center
in the Asian region and the pioneer in the globalisation of halal
certification, the relevant authorities should implement stricter
rules and regulations, according to the Star.
Recently,
Muslims in Malaysia were shocked by the news halal and non-halal
meat had been kept together by one of the slaughtering house, and
another company was misusing the halal certificate to make more
profits.
The
paper warned that such issues can damage Malaysia’s reputation as a
global halal food hub.
To
avoid misuse of the country’s halal trademark, the relevant
authorities should have unlimited access to inspect the premises, the
paper said.
“The
authorities should equip themselves with sufficient qualified manpower
to enforce the existing rules and regulations.
“Meantime,
a sense of responsibility and commitment should be instilled among
workers and producers of halal food.
“The
penalty for the abuse of halal certification should be
reasonably stiff.”
Eating
out at restaurants worldwide still poses a problem for many Muslims.
But governments and companies are coping.
In
July, the council of Cardiff, the capital of Wales,
has
passed an
amended motion put forward by a political party, offering Muslim
students across the British principality halal school meals.
McDonald's
restaurants in Detroit, Michigan,
offers
halal Chicken McNuggets.
Local
schools in the United States have also
responded
to Muslim parents’ demands that halal food be served in school
cafeterias.
Swedish
dictionaries have introduced a new word now ringing a bell all across
the country.
