Food and Consumer Goods Inspection and Certification Research Association ( GIMDES) met with experts from 15 different countries at the 7th Conference on Halal and Tayyib Products. In the conference’s final declaration stunning observations were made .
Istanbul: The awareness of seeking Halal and Tayyib products increases daily for two billion Muslims all over the world. Various valuable experts and academicians from different countries met at the 7th international Halal and Tayyib Products Conference, which was held in Istanbul CNR Exhibition Center on 6 September 2014.
GIMDES President Hussein cam Büyüközer, said that 4 key issue papers were presented at the conference:
Session Topics:
– Pre- and post-slaughter industrial practices of concern in Halal meat production
– The implications of emerging ingredients and processing practices to the Halal status of food, cosmetics and medicine.
– Effects of GMO and transgenic products on health. Can GMO products be Halal certified?
– Requirements for Halal Certification in Service Sectors: Tourism, Catering and Airlines
FINAL STATEMENT:
1– Halal meat supply is of vital importance for Muslims, and it must be guaranteed Halal. For this reason, it is indispensable to slaughter according to Islamic rituals. Hand slaughter must be carried out by only Muslim slaughtermen. The Islamic way of slaughter (zabiha) has applied for 1400 years, and this method is the most appropriate for animal slaughter. This method doesn’t torture the animal as has been claimed in the West.
2– Stunning, which may impair the Halal Slaughter, should be studied by Fiqh experts, scientists and Industry representatives, then if used, it must be adapted according to Islamic regulations.
3– A Halal and Tayyib Certificate is above all types of quality certificates. It includes all types of features like food security, hygiene, health, etc.
4– There must be a single standard which is applied by all International Halal Certification bodies for the Muslim Ummah’s benefit. Only competent Halal Certification bodies or Muslim experts can join in the preparation of this standard. European Union or other non Muslim organizations cannot be a part of the preparation of the Halal Standard.
5– It is concluded to understand Halal meat when Halal food is mentioned.
6– The products must be manufactured for all the Muslim Ummah and the whole of humanity without any doubts in the area of food, cosmetics and medicine. Reliable Halal Certified brands must be set up and supported worldwide.
7– Medicine and cosmetic products must adapt to the Halal manufacturing system not only for Muslims but all human beings at once.
8– Starting from all materials which are used in the health sector, to medicine, they must be checked for Halal compliance, and it is indispensable to manufacture Halal medicine. Medicines and all divisions of the health sector must avoid Haram based materials.
9– GMO products must be not be included in the Halal Certification system.
10– Halal tourism is one of the highest demands for all the Islamic Ummah in the Service sector all over the world. The issues of Halal Tourism must be solved according to Muslim studies.
GIMDES made bilateral meetings with representatives of various foundations and institutions, which were in Istanbul for 7th Halal and Tayyib Products conference and exhibition from different parts from the world. A Memorandum Of Understanding about Halal standards and certification was signed with some Halal foundations.
The foundations which signed cooperation agreement are the following:
1-) Moscow Mufti Council
2-) Kazan Mufti Council
3-) Kazakhstan Halal Council
4-) South Africa (SANHA) Halal Certification Foundations
5-) Macedonia Halal Certification Foundations
6-) Nippon Japan Halal Certification Foundations
The foundations’ representative who made bilateral meetings;
Bilateral meetings have done with Halal Certification body’s representatives during 7th Halal and Tayyib Products Conference and 5th Halal and Tayyib Products Exhibition. Some foundations are the following;
• World Halal Council Chairman of the Board Mr. Thafier Najjar
• Halal India Chairman of the Board Mahomed Jinna
• SANHA (South Africa) Chairman of Fiqh Committee Mr. Mevlana Said Navlakhi, Mr. Yusuf Patel ve Mr. Hajee S. Mohomedy
• Halal Italia (CO.RE.IS) representative Mr. Isa Benassi
• Sri Lanka Halal Certification Body President Mr. Ali Fatharally
• Kuwait Scientific Research Institute Dr. Hani Al Mazidi
• Halal International Authority (Italia) Fiqh Committee President Mr. Fahad Saleh M Alaredh
• American Helal Foundation President Mazhar Hussaini
• Jamiat Ulama E Maharashtra Halal Committee Chairman of the board Mr. Razi Ahmed
• Tunis Halal Certification Foundation President Mrs. Toumi Ep Sghaier
• Singapore Helal Certification Foundation Manager, Process Management & Halal Development Mr. Munir Hussain
• International Trade Center Mr. Sadiq Syed
• Pakistan Halal Development Council President Dr. Asad Sajjad
• Saudi Arabia International Halal Organization General Secretary Dr. Saleh Alaayed
• Moscow Mufti Council International Relations Manager Mr. Samat Sadykov
• Kazan Mufti Council Mr. Irek Muhammet and Mr. Marat Nizamov
The scope of cooperation are prepare and implement Halal production and distribution standards, defining related services, training experts and Halal auditors, supervisors, Exchange expertise and information on Halal system and procedures, Collaborate in promoting Halal development industry, conduct awareness & promotional activities, marketing campaign, etc. for the benefit of Muslim Ummah in their respective countries and elsewhere etc.
