MUSLIM ARBITRATION TRIBUNAL
Higham Grange, Watling Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 6BE
5th of February 2013
OPEN LETTER
Halal Food Authority
109 Fulham Palace Road
London
W6 8JA
Fax Number 020 8563 1993
Email : info@halalfoodauthority.co.uk
Re: Pork DNA in Halal products certified by HFA
Dear Sirs,
Further to the reports in the media of pork DNA being found in Halal products certified by HFA we have been asked to conduct a Public Community inquiry into the affair. MAT has acceded to this request and therefore I am writing to you to initiate the said inquiry.
The issue in hand is a matter of great importance to all Muslims and the gravity of the situation is in dire need of an explanation and accountability of the facts concerning the issue. The Muslims public would like to be informed how this disaster could have happened and under what circumstances did this occur. Further the Muslims need to be satisfied that this incident will never happen again and measures are put in place so as to eradicate the possibility of the same incident arising again.
The Muslim Arbitration Tribunal offers proceedings that are independent and campaigns to correct difficult issues within the Muslim community by the Muslim community. You will not be surprised to know that the decisions of MAT are directly followed by over 900 of the 1300 Mosques in the UK. For further information on MAT please visit our website at www.matribunal.com.
We therefore feel it is necessary to conduct a Public Community inquiry to provide HFA an opportunity to explain the circumstances and any other issues leading to the awful incident. Muslim Arbitration Tribunal urges you to engage with us formally within 14 days of the date of this letter so that a full inquiry can be held and clarity can be provided to the Muslim Community. Non-engagement will send out a strong signal to the Muslim community that HFA is not interested in rectifying or explaining its position. Non-engagement will also inevitably result in the cessation of confidence of the community in purchasing products accredited/certified by HFA.
We therefore stress the importance of HFA engaging on this platform for responsibility and accountability it has towards the Muslim Ummah.
Regards,
Fiaz Hussain
Executive Assistant to the Governing Council of MAT
