Kuwait: The Conference on the Halal Industry concludes

The Conference on the Halal Industry concludes by uniting Gulf countries on Prophetic method as the way  forward.

Dr Hani Al-Mazeedi, second from right.

The Third Gulf Conference on the Halal Industry was held in Kuwait. (from 12-15 May) ANSA ( The Association of non stun abattoirs) was invited to represent the UK’s   Halal  Industry supporting ANSA were  Dr Abdul Majid Katme (Islamic Medical Association UK, Dr Adel Sabir (Ehda),  Asidcom and  Representatives of many European and Eastern countries also participated in the conference.

12th of May saw the gathering scholars, scientists, researchers and industry expertise at historical event in Kuwait jointly organised by The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Kuwait Institute For Scientific Research.(KISR)

The Conference on the Halal Industry and Services focused on recommendations to reduce reliance on imported meat and instead develop needed infrastructure and legislation’s to contribute in ensuring success to the industry. Participants in the three-day gathering called for improving understanding of consensus between Sharia (Islamic law) interpretation and scientific evidence. The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, the organizer of the Gulf Halal Conference, called for establishing a scientific research centre to share views on technical and jurisprudence issues and other developments relating to the Halal industry.

Halal Gulf conference 2014 included  2 workshops on:

Istihala /Transformation

An Intensive Training Course  : In Controlling Critical Points In The Halal Industry And Its Services.

A Prerequisite of Halal Lead Auditor

KISR workshop : The Halal Industry between Religious Awareness & Trade Opportunities.

Professor Dr. Ibrahim Ibn Hussein Ahmed Abd El-Rahim, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Epizootiology, Department of Environmental and Health Research, Institute of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Hajj and Umrah Researches, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah Al-Mukaramah, Kingdom of Saudi Arab Presented paper on the Recent Methods of Slaughtering (stunning) and its Effect on Meat Safety and Hygiene

The Members called for investing in Halal Industry in Islamic countries that provide the most suitable environment to reduce dependance  on foreign exports. Participants also called on GCC countries to establish a GCC center in coordination with official Sharia apparatus to monitor and supervise Halal food.

Kuwait  Deputy Minister of Awqaf  Dr Adil A AL-FALAH said in his opening remarks ‘he hopes that the conference will come up with concrete recommendations that could contribute to setting out Halal industry controls and rules and to spurring the finding of alternatives to non-Halal services’.

Mohammed Saleem,  Policy and communication Director for ANSA UK advised the Conference the way forward is to unite under the banner of the prophetic method of Dhabiaha. He said that this was a historical event which has United the ummah under the banner of Halal and Tayyib ‘en. Kuwait will be remembered in history for taking the lead on halal industry and services and reminded all, that the west is using Arab world as an example of acceptance of pre stun product’s for consumption of halal in return this example is used to ban or further restrict the production of Zabiha (the islamic humane process for food) under the pretext that the prophetic method is cruel and barbaric for the welfare of animal’s.

He also said that this was a wake up call for the Muslim world to unite and avoid  the import of doubtful halal meat and products which endorse unIslamic methods for slaughter.

Mohammed Saleem further advised GCC countries that all meat products need be honestly labeled with regards to stun(method of stun Shot in the head, Electrocuted, or drowned or gassed) or not stun for clarity so that the halal consumers can make a informed choice the world over

The conference concluded by honoring Dr Hani Al-Mazeedi with title of Halal Ambassador for his commitment and passion in developing the halal industry in line with sharia jurisprudence.