Turkey: Closing statement of meeting against non Muslim interference in Halal issues

GIMDESMuslims from different Halal certification bodies and Islamic NGOs gathered in Istanbul at a meeting held against interfering non-Muslims in Halal issues. Below is the closing statement issued by GIMDES from the meeting.

In the name of Allah – Most Merciful Most Compassionate

CLOSING STATEMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING AGAINST NON MUSLIM INTERFERENCE TO HALAL ISSUES HELD IN ISTANBUL ON THE 13th &14th JUNE 2015*

Whereas:

Halal is a divine obligation based on Qur’an and Prophetic teachings.
The distinctive identity and characteristics of a Muslim outlined in Prophetic tradition  is adherence to the precepts of Halal.
The interpretation, standardization, regulation, governance and application of Halal is regarded as an act of worship.
All acts of worship are predicated on faith and belief.
Freedom of thought, conscience and freedom of religion are moral norms granted by human rights principles.
Standardization Authorities of some countries and Unions have embarked on developing standards for Halal without regard to the Islamic Religious Sanctity of the entire Halal certification processes.
They have established technical committees for the development of the said standard in total disregard to the religious concerns being safeguarded by Recognized Halal certification and accreditation authorities worldwide.

Now therefore:
We, as concerned Muslims representing Halal Certification Bodies, Muslim Consumers and Religious Non-Governmental Organizations,

Declare that:
The religious affairs of a faith group vests exclusively with the adherents of that particular faith community.
The crafting  of Halal  standards requires inter alia the skills of qualified Muslim theologians who possess in-depth knowledge of Islamic Law, which is  based on  Qur’an, Sunnah, Ijma  and Qiyas.
Halal (Lawful) and Haram (Unlawful) are Islamic precepts that govern the entire life of a Muslim and are accordingly regulated by a deeply spiritual commitment.
The verification and administration of Halal cannot be isolated from the notion of worship and therefore should not be reduced to a matter of mere technical compliance.
Halal Certification by non-Muslim  entities is deemed null and void in terms of Islamic Law
Intervention by organs of a Secular or Non-Muslim State in the religious affairs of the Muslim community is an infringement of its religious liberties, freedom and consumer rights.
Initiatives by Muslim governments to drag non-Muslim entities into Halal for any reason is unacceptable.
We will not accept the legitimacy and validity of any certification or citation aimed at the regulation of Halal by non-Muslims.
We remind that Halal is a pure Islamic term and since we will never accept praying behind a non-Muslim,  we will not accept Non-Muslims’ audits, inspections, testimonies, accreditations and certification pertaining to Halal and such certification documents that might be issued by non- Muslim entities will be rejected.
We will establish a committee with representatives from Islamic NGOs, HCBs and Muslim Consumer Organizations. This committee will address the Islamic organizations and Halal Certification Bodies which have not attended the conference with the aim of reviewing and reconsidering their position in order to speak with one voice against the interference of non-Muslims in Islamic affairs and to avoid discrepancies between Muslim Stakeholders.
We will embark on a mass awareness program alerting Muslim communities to the gross violation of their religious observances.
With the support of all Muslim Halal organizations, we will use all the legal ways to protect and defend our religious freedom and rights.
Thus done and endorsed by the following participated Muslim organizations on the 14th June 2015 in Istanbul:

ADELAIDE MOSQUE ISLAMIC SOCIETY SOUTH AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA
ASIDCOM FRANCE
ASSOCIATION HALAL VERIF FRANCE
A Votre Service, AVS FRANCE
AZKA HALAL KUWAIT
BE HALAL UK
DEPARTMENT OF HALAL CERTIFICATION  IRELAND IRELAND
EUROPEAN SUPREME HALAL COUNCIL LUXEMBURG
EUROPEAN CENTRE OF HALAL CERTIFICATION-GR GREECE
FRENCH UNION OF MUSLIM CONSUMERS FRANCE
GIMDES,
ASSOCIATION FOR THE INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION OF FOOD AND SUPPLIES
TURKEY
HALAL ASSURE IP UK
HALAL CERTIFICATION AUTHORITY AUSTRALIA
HALAL CERTIFICATION CENTER RUSSIA
HALAL CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE MACEDONIA
HALAL COMITEE  –  PORTUGAL PORTUGAL
HALAL DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION JAPAN JAPAN
HALAL FOOD & QUALITY OF ISLAMIC CENTER OF LA VALL SPAIN
HALAL INSTITUTE OF PORTUGAL PORTUGAL
HALAL ITALIA ITALY
HALAL POLICE FOUNDATION NETHERLAND
HALAL STANDARDIZATION COMMITTEE OF CENTRALIZED RELIGIOUS ORGANISATION TATARSTAN
HAYRAT ASSOCIATION TURKEY
HET- INSTITUTE OF HALAL QUALITY CONTROL DENMARK
INSTITUTE FOR STANDARDS OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR HALAL STANDARDIZATION AND CERTIFICATION OF RUSSIA MUFTIES COUNCIL RUSSIA
INTERNATIONAL UNION OF MUSLIM SCHOLARS (IUMS) LIBYA
ISLAMIC COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA
ISLAMIC DA’WAH COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINE
ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON AREA USA
ISLAMIC COUNCIL OF NORWAY, HALAL CERTIFICATION COMMITTEE NORWAY
ISLAMIC INFORMATION, DOCUMENTATION AND CERTIFICATION AUSTRIA
ISMAIL AGA FIQH COMMITTEE, TURKEY TURKEY
KUWAIT INSTITUTE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH KUWAIT
MEMURSEN TURKEY
MUSIAD TURKEY
MUSLIM ASSOCIATION IN DENMARK DENMARK
MUSLIM WORLD LEAGUE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
NIPPON ASIA HALAL ASSOCIATION JAPAN
HALAL FOOD INTERNATIONAL & CHILEHALAL CHILE
RABIA PLATFORM TURKEY
SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL HALAL AUTHORITY, SANHA SOUTH AFRICA
SUPREME ISLAMIC COUNCIL OF HALAL MEAT IN AUSTRALIA INC, SICHMA AUSTRALIA
THE HALAL CATERING ARGENTINA ARGENTINA
WORLD HALAL COUNCIL TURKEY
WORLD MUSLIM CONSUMERS ORGANIZATION MALAYSIA

* The above statement has been issued by GIMDES and does not necessarily reflect the views of HalalFocus.