business f lifestyle f trends
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issue
Halal
37 :: November+December 2010
in
Europe
The European Complex Food industry, political factors & Muslim communities
LIVING h INSPIRING CHANGE: FROM BOARD ROOMS TO BACK ROOMS & FROM FASHIONISTA TO FABULOUS HIJABI h FOOD: h CHILLIPADI GRILL HOUSE – ASIAN CONNECTION IN MELBOURNE h BOOK:
MARKETING TO GLOBAL MUSLIMS Identifying and understanding brand risks
ISLAM AND THE DESTINY OF MAN h ARTIST: JAJA YUSOF – THE ARTIST WHO PAINTS CATS h MUSIC: AHMED MUKHTAR – MUSICIAN, PERFORMER & TEACHER h MOVIE: CHOP SHOP h PRODUCT: PROBIOTICS FOR PHYSICAL HEALTH & IQRA’A AL QURAN IPOD FOR SPIRITUAL WELLBEING
53
WHEY TO GO Health benefits & use in the food industry
68
INDIAN MEAT Analysis & updated stats of the market LUXEMBOURG: ISLAMIC FINANCE & SHIPPING Can the two worlds meet? |
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THE PREMIER GLOBAL HALAL INDUSTRY EVENT
WORLD HALAL FORUM EUROPE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN LONDON
HALAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES – GOING MAINSTREAM KEY TOPICS: International Halal accreditation and certification Relevant European market issues and challenges Food Safety and quality assurance issues for Halal Producers THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF THE HALAL SECTOR IN TODAY’S ECONOMIC CLIMATE Growth of Halal Products in the European and UK retail market The impact of changing consumer preference and awareness levels
10 & 11 November 2010 | 3 & 4 Zulhijah 1431H EARLS COURT EXHIBITION CENTRE, LONDON The World Halal Forum is the undisputed premier global event bringing together business leaders and stakeholders from across the world under one roof to discuss, consolidate and drive the trillion-dollar Halal industry. World Halal Forum Europe provides a regional focus converging on the challenges and opportunities specifically in that part of the world and how this AFFECTS the global value chain. World Halal Forum is acknowledged by the OIC
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Recognized by JAKIM Malaysia, MUI Indonesia, MUIS Singapore, HAFSOT Thailand and other reputable Halal authorities.
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Disclaimer : While all care is taken, the publisher accepts no responsibility for the information contained herein which is believed to be reliable. The publisher/editor takes no responsibility for opinions expressed or implied as they are the writers’ own and do not necessarily reflect that of the publisher or editor who make no warranties governing material, including advertising or features contained within this publication. This publication may not in whole or part, be copied, reproduced or translated without prior written permission of the publisher.
contents | November+December 2010
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c ov e r s t o ry
HALAL IN EUROPE
The European complex: Food industry, political factors & Muslim communities
46
24} MARKETING TO GLOBAL MUSLIMS Identifying and understanding brand risks
28} WHEY TO GO Health benefits & use in the food industry
32} INDIAN MEAT Analysis & updated stats of the market
36} FASTRACK ASIA Crescentrating: Making Waves
40} FASTRACK ASIA Dindings launched Satay in handy pack
46} ISLAMIC FINANCE If two worlds would meet in Luxembourg: Islamic finance and shipping
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Our education and mindset has been stunted by the economic interests of the colonialists.
We are not taught that it is obligatory to cultivate paddy for rice, meaning that it is a sin to leave the land idle and not plant paddy. This is because the colonialists encouraged only one aspect of Islam, the relation to Allah, while discouraging a holistic approach to Islam. This has continued until today.
Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Abdul Hamid Othman PERKIM’s Secretary General
contents Regulars 07} Global News A brief insight into events currently shaping the Halal industry around the globe + Calendar of Events 14} IHI ALLIANCE NEWS Updates on activities of the International Halal Integrity (IHI) Alliance 42} Country in Focus Syria: The beating heart of Arabism
Living 53} COVER From board rooms to back roads – One girl’s journey of new choices & discoveries 58} FEATURE From fashionista to modest yet fabulous hijabi – Useful finds for new hijabis 60} journey: food Asian connection in Melbourne: Chillipadi Grill House 62} Browsing Islam and the Destiny of Man, and Ibn ‘Arabi – The Voyage of No Return in Books; Ahmed Mukhtar in Music; Jaja Yusof in Artists; Iqra’a Al Quran Ipod, Organic 2012 Blend and Ayam Dindings Chicken Satay in Products; and Photography and Photojournalism 72} parting words Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Abdul Hamid Othman, Secretary General of the Muslim Welfare Organization Malaysia (PERKIM)
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Ed’s Note Europe, in the past months, has seen much uproar on Halal from stunning and slaughtering, to labelling, to animal welfare and information misrepresentation by radical groups. Playing the blame game and minutely signalling Islamaphobia, Muslim communities are being held responsible of issues raised, when perhaps the food industry, legislation, and governance could be referred to. In a timely manner, the 2nd World Halal Forum Europe will be held on 10 and 11 November in London. Themed “Halal Products – Going Mainstream”, the forum is bound to create some heat in the wintry cold with the presence of experienced speakers, who are established in their fields of work, to talk about those very concerns mentioned amongst others topics. Look out for our report in the next edition. Aptly, Europe makes the cover story in this issue, titled “Halal in Europe – The European complex: Food Industry, Political Factors & Muslim Communities” (p18). In this article, the author touches on the opportunities and responsibilities that accompany European Halal sector’s ‘coming of age’ and deliberates on current issues raised; classifying them (without over-simplifying the concerns) into three major components i.e. the food industry, political factors, and the Muslim communities. “Brand Risks in Marketing to the Global Muslim Community” (p24) is another opportune piece with this year’s Islamic branding and marketing buzz. This article prepares those who are developing brands for Muslims worldwide by highlighting the importance of understanding and identifying existing risks and organisational demands, bringing to light two levels of risk evaluation i.e. product/ brand and corporate levels. Two other features cover whey protein and its use as well as health benefits (p28), and statistical updates on the Indian Halal meat market (p32) – both worthy of note in its own right. Luxembourg is one of the largest inland maritime registries and also one of the largest non-Muslim Islamic finance hubs in the world. In our Islamic Finance section is an article (p46) that ponders on the possibility of having those two worlds (Islamic finance and shipping) working hand in hand. Our Living section features recommended entertainment and people of the art scene. ‘Inspiring change’ is the common theme as shared in two stories by a corporate chick turned traveller (p54), and a fashionista who decided to wear the hijab and be modest yet fabulously stylish with useful fashion finds (p58). Do drop us your comments, to info@halaljournal.com, and have a good read!
The Halal Journal Team
the Heart of T he Halal Jour nal
Halal refers to that which the Creator has made lawful. Its opposite Haram, refers to what is forbidden. The realm of Halal extends beyond the obvious references to food and touches on all matters relating to human life. In the commercial arena, all goods and services, market transactions, currencies and other activities come under the judgments of Halal and Haram. These parameters include protecting the environment, humane treatment for animals, ethical investments, the intrinsic value of currencies, and fairness in all commercial transactions. The global Halal market is now a new economic sector, and we believe it will be one of the great market forces in the coming decades.
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“The GSO (GCC Standardization Organization) covers all six [Gulf States] but that’s only in theory. In practice they do vary even within the Emirates. Even from Dubai to Sharjah there may be some issues.”
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
HALAL SLAUGHTERING IN THE GULF The Gulf’s Halal governing body is failing to standardise the production of Halal meat despite a unified set of regulations, a leading Malaysian Halal standards expert has told Arabian Business. Halal certifiers are also unlikely to ever agree on a global Halal standard, Darhim Dali Hashim, CEO of the International Halal Integrity Alliance (IHI Alliance), said. Darhim said: “The GSO (GCC Standardization Organization) covers all six [Gulf States] but that’s only in theory. In practice they do vary even within the Emirates. Even from Dubai to Sharjah there may be some issues.” The global Halal food sector is worth an estimated USD560 billion and Halal food now accounts for 16 per cent of the world food trade market. The GCC consumed USD43.8 billion worth of Halal products in 2009, according to The Halal Journal. Despite the sector’s rapid growth there still remains a huge disconnect between certifiers. The biggest differences involve the stunning of animals prior to slaughter, mechanical slaughter and the use of gelatine. The IHI Alliance is working on behalf of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) to create a framework for an international Halal standard. Turkey is also working on a similar set of regulations. Darhim said a global Halal standard is unlikely. “There are a lot of things going on parallel. There’s some at regional level,” he said. He added: “I would say the Gulf has achieved it to some extent but again there are hiccups in terms of the implementation.” He continued: “The initiatives are there to try and harmonise it. There may be a stage where there will be three standards based on the trading blocs. We may have a MENA (Middle East and North Africa) standard, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) standard and maybe Central Asia, Turkey.” |SOURCE: MEAT TRADE NEWS DAILY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2010
Compiled by Zaahira Muhammad
Halal Integrity MALAYSIA
SUGARBUN OUTLETS IN EAST MALAYSIA HAVE HALAL CERTIFICATION, SAYS MARKETING MANAGER All fast-food restaurants belonging to Sugarbun franchisees in Sarawak and Sabah have Halal certificates issued by the Malaysian Islamic Development department (JAKIM), said Sugarbun Sarawak Marketing Manager, Clara Chan. She said each Halal certificate issued by JAKIM had to be renewed every two years, and the company would ensure all its restaurants’ owners obtained the certificate before operating under the name of Sugarbun Franchise Malaysia Sdn Bhd. “As a main fast-food restaurant company in Sarawak, it does not take lightly of Halal certification,” she said in conjunction with the company’s promotion of ‘Big Saving Ramadhan Combo’. Sugarbun, she said, had 26 outlets in Sarawak, one in Sabah, three in Brunei and one in Bangladesh.
The Halal Journal welcomes all queries, comments, suggestions and criticisms. Email us at info@halaljournal.com or fax your letters to +603 6203 4072.
MALAYSIA
JAIS ISSUES HALAL CERTIFICATES TO FIVE MORE HOTELS IN SELANGOR The Selangor Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAIS) issued Halal certificates to five more hotels in Selangor to enable Muslims to break fast without any doubts. JAIS Public Relations officer, Nurhamizah Othman, said the five hotels issued Halal certificates were Concorde Shah Alam, Singgahsana Hotel Petaling Jaya, Carlton Holiday Shah Alam, Hotel Grand Dorsett Subang Jaya and Hotel Crystal Crown in Klang. Nurhamizah said with the five new additions, 22 hotels in Selangor have been issued Halal certificates. “We hope Muslims will only choose hotels with the Halal certificates to avoid any misunderstanding when breaking fast during the Ramadhan month, since many hotels without certificates were also offering Ramadhan buffets,” said Nurhamizah in a statement. Nurhamizah said JAIS hoped hotels without Halal certificates would come forward and apply for the certificates for their own benefit. |SOURCE: BERNAMA, 19 AUGUST 2010
|SOURCE: BERNAMA, 13 AUGUST 2010
MALAYSIA MALAYSIA
JAIM ISSUES REMINDER TO HOTELS Hotels which have yet to be certified Halal (permissible in Islam) must not use the “Ramadhan Buffet” tagline as it would mislead patrons. Melaka Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) Director, Sulaiman Harmain Shah, said Muslims should check the Halal status of restaurants and hotels before patronising them. Nineteen hotels in the state have been certified Halal while five more are under consideration, he said when contacted. He said JAKIM to date had issued Halal certificates to 229 companies, including 180 food manufacturers, 42 food premises, including 19 hotels, and seven abattoirs. The list of Halal hotels is posted on JAIM’s website at www.jaim.gov.my. |SOURCE: BERNAMA, 13 AUGUST 2010
12 MOONCAKE MAKERS ISSUED WITH JAKIM’S HALAL CERTIFICATE The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) said it had issued Halal certificates to 12 mooncake makers. JAKIM’s Principal Assistant Director of the Halal certificate and logo issuing branch of the Halal hub division, Abdul Hamid Mohamed Salleh, said the companies concerned had to go through strict procedures before they were issued the Halal certificates. He said the certificates were only issued to companies which met the Halal Certification Procedure, the Halal Malaysian Standard MS1500:2009 Halal Food-Production, Preparation, Handling and Storage/ General Guidelines, the Food Act 1983 and the Food Regulation 1985. “So, if the mooncakes have the Halal certificate, Muslims can The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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The Halal Journal welcomes all queries, comments, suggestions and criticisms. Email us at info@halaljournal.com or fax your letters to +603 6203 4072.
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Calendar of Events The Halal Journal Partner Event
2nd – 4th November 2010 IN-COSMETICS ASIA Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) Bangkok, Thailand Reed Exhibitions Limited Tel: +44 (0)20 8910 7847 Fax: +44 (0)20 8910 7926 Email: team@in-cosmetics.com Web: www.in-cosmeticsasia.com 2nd – 4th November 2010 BIOMALAYSIA 2010 Kuala Lumpur Convention Center Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia PROTEMP Exhibitions Sdn. Bhd. Tel: +603 6140 6666 Fax: +603 6140 8833 Email: karendass@protempgroup.com Web: www.biomalaysia.com.my 9 – 11th November 2010 DIYAFA Doha Exhibition Center Doha, Qatar IFP Qatar Tel: +974 432 9900 Fax: +974 443 2891 Email: info@ifpqatar.com Web: www.ifpqatar.com
|SOURCE: BERNAMA, 21 SEPTEMBER 2010
9 – 11th November 2010 INTRADE MALAYSIA MATRADE Convention & Exhibition Center (MECC) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) Tel: 603 – 6207 7077 Fax: 603 – 6203 7037 / 7033 Email: info@matrade.gov.my Web: www.matrade.gov.my
ICELAND
10 – 11th November 2010 WORLD HALAL FORUM EUROPE 2010 Earls Court Conference Centre London, UK World Halal Forum Secretariat Tel: +603 6203 1025 Fax: +603 6203 4072 Email: info@worldhalalforum.org Web: www.worldhalalforum.org 10 – 11th November 2010 VIETSTOCK EXPO Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre (SECC) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam AMB Events Tel: +84 8 5410 1909 Fax: +84 8 5410 1909 Email: richard@ambexpo.com Web: www.vietstock.org 19th – 23rd November 2010 ASIA PACIFIC FOOD EXPO (AFPE) Singapore Expo Singapore Singapore Food Manufacturers’ Association Tel: +65 6221 2438 Fax: +65 6223 7235 Email: enquiries@halalcapitalmarkets.com Web: www.asiapacificfoodexpo.org.sg 20 – 28th November 2010 FOOD FESTIVAL Impact Exhibition & Convention Center Bangkok, Thailand Union Pan Exhibitions Co. Ltd Tel: +66 (0) 2314 0855 Fax: +66 (0) 2319 8337 Email: service@unionpan.com Web: www.unionpan.com
The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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buy and eat them,” he said when asked on the initiative taken by some companies to produce Halal mooncakes. However, he said Muslims were not encouraged to participate in the Mooncake Festival. He said the companies which had been issued Halal certificates were HYT Food Industries Sdn Bhd, Leong Yin Pastry Sdn Bhd, Sakura Food Manufacturing (M) Sdn Bhd, TT Food Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, The Baker’s Cottage Sdn Bhd, LB (Lian Bee) Confectionery Sdn Bhd, KLT Food Industries Sdn Bhd, King’s Confectionery Sdn Bhd, Tanjung Omega Sdn Bhd, Tuan Sanawi Tuan Ngah Sdn Bhd, Ayamas Food Corporation Sdn Bhd and Bake Station Sdn Bhd.
HALAL SLAUGHTERING DISCONTINUED IN ICELAND South Iceland meat processing company Sláturfélag Sudurlands (SS) ceased slaughtering lambs in the Islamic fashion recently. CEO of SS Steinthór Skúlason said the decision is mainly based on the reactions of customers after the company’s practices were reported on. Skúlason said SS wishes to respect the opinion of its customers and that the cost of employing a member of the Islamic Association of Iceland to conduct Halal slaughtering is also a factor because the sale of Halal meat has yet to be guaranteed, ruv. is reports. Representatives from SS met with potential buyers from Iraqi Kurdistan who were going to taste the meat. Negotiations have also begun with potential buyers in Jordan. If agreements are reached, SS will reconsider its decision on Halal slaughtering. In the last production season, which ended in August, almost 3,000 tons of lamb and mutton were exported from Iceland, which is 30 per cent of the country’s overall production. It is believed that a better price can be obtained for Halal meat, which is why this experiment was conducted. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ólafur
“Barcelona will forbid the use of the burqa, niqab and any other item which hinders personal identification in any of the city’s public installations,” a council statement said. The ban would cover public spaces such as municipal offices, public markets and libraries - but not the streets. The mayor of Barcelona, Jordi Hereu, said the measure was aimed purely at ensuring people could be identified, and would therefore include balaclavas, motorbike helmets and ski masks.
Fridriksson, said the government doesn’t provide any special support regarding the export of meat but farmers do get certain payments from the state regardless of whether the meat they produce is exported or not. |SOURCE: ISLAND REVIEW ONLINE, 22 SEPTEMBER 2010
UNITED KINGDOM
MEAT INDUSTRY DEFENDS HALAL SLAUGHTER POLICY Significant quantities of the meat sold in the UK on the open market are slaughtered under Halal standards, it has emerged. Industry estimates suggest strong Muslim demand for chicken and lamb has resulted in about 40 per cent of poultry and 25-30 per cent of lamb consumed in the UK meeting Halal specification. But not all of this meat is being marked as being produced using Halal slaughter methods. Animal welfare campaign groups are suggesting that consumers need to be made aware if they are eating Halal meat through clear labelling. They claim that the practice is cruel because in some cases the animals are killed without stunning. But representatives of the meat industry have pointed out that in the UK most animals are pre-stunned before the animal’s throat is cut. Historic data published by the Meat Hygiene Service suggests that around 90 per cent of UK Halal slaughter involves pre-stunning. Beef and Lamb New Zealand confirmed that while the majority of the beef and lamb imported to the UK is slaughtered using Halal methods, it is all pre-stunned. Dave Harrison, Regional Manager for Europe for Beef and Lamb New Zealand, said all animals were pre-stunned before slaughter, although the stunning process was reversible in order to comply with religious custom. “The [method] we use is acknowledged. We believe it balances animal welfare requirements with religious needs.” Mr Harrison said he understood that animal welfare was an important issue to consumers, but if labelling was introduced it would come with a cost. “We are not just talking about a sticker – you also then need a verification system. The minute you call for a label you put cost in the system. That means either producers are paid less or buyers pay more.”
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The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) said that it was proposing all meat produced from animals that had not been stunned before slaughter should be clearly labelled. “The RSPCA believes that consumers have the right to choose whether or not they wish to buy meat from animals slaughtered without pre-stunning.” A spokeswoman from EBLEX (the organisation for beef and lamb levy players in England) said the levy body had set up a Halal Steering Group which has been researching Halal production methods and whether there are market opportunities for farmers. The research would be published shortly. |SOURCE: FARMERS WEEKLY, 23 SEPTEMBER 2010
Trade & Business MALAYSIA
JAKIM WELCOMES ACCEPTANCE OF HALAL PRODUCTS BY NON-MUSLIMS The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) welcomes non-Muslim communities for accepting Halal products as practiced by other communities in developed countries such as Australia and New Zealand. Its Director General, Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz, said this was because Halal products prioritised hygiene and food safety. “Products certified Halal (permissible in Islam) by either JAKIM or state religious departments are assured of cleanliness and safety,” he said in a statement on Friday. He said most of Halal certificate holders also have the Hazard Analysis Critical
Control Point (HACCP) certificate, which was recognised throughout the world. He said Halal was not only limited to the Islamic law compliance as the world community began to realise the concept of ‘halalan toyiban’ which focused on food hygiene and safety. |SOURCE: BERNAMA, 13 AUGUST 2010
MALAYSIA
CARREFOUR MALAYSIA EXPANSION STILL ON Carrefour Malaysia is going ahead with the expansion of operations with the opening of two new branches in Selangor, despite news that the French retail giant is to exit its Southeast Asia business. Carrefour Malaysia chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Shamsudin, said the two new hypermarkets are in Puchong Utama and Seksyen 23, Shah Alam. Asked if sales had been affected by news of Carrefour’s divestment, he said there had been no impact to date as the hypermarket had many loyal customers. Apart from Malaysia, Carrefour – the world’s second-biggest retailer – is also said to be selling off its business in Singapore and Thailand. Carrefour today received the Halal Certification Malaysia (SHM) for its important meat, salad bar and bakery sections from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). “We are not targeting any increase in sales through the Halal certification but it is being undertaken as an appreciation for our loyal customers,” Abdul Aziz said. With the SHM, Carrefour becomes the first hypermarket to offer fully Halal products at the three sections. Information kiosks (I-Kiosks) are also available for customers to check the status of products being sold. The
Industry estimates suggest strong Muslim demand for chicken and lamb has resulted in about 40 per cent of poultry and 25-30 per cent of lamb consumed in the UK meeting Halal specification. But not all of this meat is being marked as being produced using Halal slaughter methods. The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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The Halal Journal welcomes all queries, comments, suggestions and criticisms. Email us at info@halaljournal.com or fax your letters to +603 6203 4072.
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Calendar of Events The Halal Journal Partner Event
22nd – 24th November 2010 SIAL MIDDLE EAST Abu Dhabi National Convention Centre Abu Dhabi, UAE Turret Media LLC Tel: +971 (0)2 401 2777 Fax: +971 (0)2 401 2777 Email: info@sialme.com Web: www.sialme.com 24 – 26th November 2010 ANNAPOORA – WORLD FOOD OF INDIA Bombay Exhibition Centre – NSE Exhibition Complex Mumbai, India Koelnmesse GmbH Tel: +49 221 821-0 Fax: +49 221 821-2574 Email: info@koelnmesse.de Web: www.worldoffoodindia.com 29 – 30th November 2010 1st INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ISLAMIC MARKETING & BRANDING Best Western Premier Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Faculty of Business & Accountancy, University of Malaya Fax: +603 7967 3980 Email: islamicmktgconf@um.edu.my Web: http://icimb.um.edu.my 1st – 2nd December 2010 LOGIPHARMA ASIA The Hilton Singapore Singapore Worldwide Business Research (WBR) Tel: +65 6408 9221 Fax: +65 6822 7370 Email: wbrinfo@wbresearch.com Web: www.logipharmaasia.com
Logistics and a great opportunity to be involved in the launch of Brunei Halal. With our expertise in logistics management and our international network we will have a key role in the development of the brand,” said Antony Greenstein, Director of Global Business, Kerry FSDA. Through the Brunei Halal brand, Brunei Darussalam is aiming to become one of the major players of the Halal industry globally, both in terms of Halal food production and certification, with the aim of providing Halal food and products of premium quality to the worldwide Muslim population. |SOURCE: MANILA BULLETIN, 18 AUGUST 2010
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
2nd – 4th December 2010 IFDE INDIA Pragati Maidan Exhibition Ground New Delhi, India Tarsus Group Limited Tel: +44 (0) 20 8846 2700 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8846 2801 Email: lmorrey@tarsus.co.uk Web: www.indiafooddrinkexpo.com 3rd – 6th December 2010 FOOD TECHNOLOGY SHOW Pragati Maidan Exhibition Ground New Delhi, India Print-Packaging.com Pvt. Ltd. Tel: +91 22 2781 2093 Fax: +91 22 2781 2578 Email: info@packplus.in Web: www.packplus.in 6 – 8th December 2010 HALAL WORLD EXPO Abu Dhabi International Convention Center Abu Dhabi, UAE Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company Tel: +971 (2) 444 6900 Fax: +971 (2) 444 6135 Email: feedback@adnec.ae Web: www.halalworldexpo.com
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project which began at Carrefour Putrajaya will be expanded to other branches throughout the country and will not be restricted to just the three sections but to all others. Meanwhile, Carrefour also plans to increase the sales of food products from Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to 11 per cent in 2011 compared to 10 per cent this year. |SOURCE: BUSINESS TIMES, 21 SEPTEMBER 2010
1st – 2nd December 2010 PROPAK INDONESIA Jakarta International Expo Jakarta, Indonesia PT. Pamerindo Buana Abadi Tel: +62 21 316 2001 Fax: +62 21 316 1981 Web: www.pamerindo.com
The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
“We are delighted to be able to offer the Muslim community in the UK a new convenient way of shopping for their Halal meat. We currently provide the widest range of Halal meat products online. In addition to the usual products you would expect in any Halal meat shop, we also stock more exotic Halal foods such as polony, salami and biltong - all at competitive prices together with the convenience of home delivery. Our initial customer trials proved a great success. Our customers have found the website easy to use and the home delivery very convenient.”
KERRY LOGISTICS TIES UP WITH BRUNEI TO PROVIDE HALAL PRODUCTS Kerry Logistics have entered into an agreement to build an international brand called Brunei Halal to provide a comprehensive range of products and services for both Muslims and non-Muslims. Ghanim International Food Corporation is the joint venture company formed between Kerry FSDA, the trading arm of Kerry Logistics, and the Brunei government. Ghanim will seek global manufacturers to make products that suit local demand. They will need approval by Brunei’s Halal certification body before Ghanim packages them in the home country of the manufacturer and markets them worldwide through Kerry Logistics’ supply chain, under the Brunei Halal brand. Services include sourcing, distribution and marketing of Brunei Halal food products. Kerry Logistics will be involved in international freight forwarding and integrated logistics management to ensure compliance with strict Halal standards. “This is an exciting development for Kerry
BAHRAIN
RAMADHAN SHEEP IMPORTS PLEDGE Bahrain is to increase sheep imports by almost 60 per cent during Ramadhan to meet food supply demands. More than 95 per cent of the approximately 70,000 sheep imported to Bahrain in an average month is shipped live from Australia. Additional meat for the holy month will be transported chilled from a number of sources. Bahrain Livestock Chairman, Ibrahim Zainal, said a limited stock of live animals in Australia had forced the decision to import chilled meat. “Australia is the best place from which to import livestock, but there is not enough to cope with the demand in Bahrain over Ramadhan. We don’t really have an alternative but to import chilled meat. We would be importing only livestock if we could but it is not possible. The demand in Bahrain is for live animals to be transported and slaughtered here but importing chilled meat is the next best option. Frozen meat will be imported from Australia, India, Ethiopia and Pakistan. We have been trying chilled meat from different sources over the last six months. The thing about chilled meat is that it gives us more flexibility. It’s also great for us this year because the government has added chilled meat to the list of basic food items to be subsidised. In total, we will be importing around 110,000 heads of sheep for Ramadhan this year and that is up from 90,000 last year. In a normal month, the figure is about 70,000 heads,” he said. Mr Zainal said there should not be any misconception that some of the chilled meat might not be Halal. “Every single consignment of meat arriving into Bahrain must be accompanied by certification from
10 10/21/10 8:46:50 AM
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Islamic authorities confirming that the contents are Halal, otherwise they will be turned away,” he said. |SOURCE: GULF DAILY NEWS, 7 AUGUST 2010
MALAYSIA
DJ MUSLIM PLANS 1,000 DISTRIBUTION CENTRES THROUGH FRANCHISE CONCEPT DJ Muslim (M) Sdn Bhd plans to open 1,000 centres to distribute Halal food as well as fashion products and accessories under the franchise concept over the next one year. The Malaysian Bumiputera company wholly-owned by Shaffrin Holdings Sdn Bhd is also eyeing to expand its reach to Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. “DJ Muslim, with the support of Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia, is an effective platform for Malay entrepreneurs, manufacturers, retailers, agencies and other service providers in Malaysia to compete in the currently challenging economic situation,” said Shaffrin Holdings Chairman and Managing Director, Mohammad Saffrin Ahmad, at the launch of DJ Muslim brand. He said the launch of DJ Muslim was in line with the government’s effort to encourage people, especially the Malays, to venture into business in Halal products. |SOURCE: BERNAMA, 9 AUGUST 2010
Development
UNITED KINGDOM
MOU SIGNED FOR PROMOTION OF HALAL INDUSTRY Halal Research Council, Pakistan and Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the promotion of Halal industry and ensuring easy availability and exhibition of Pakistani Halal certified products in the Malaysian market. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Halal Research Council and Haji Abdul Malik Kassim (State Minister for Religious Affairs and Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs, Penang, Malaysia), signed the MoU. The MoU
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signing ceremony was part of a one-day ‘International conference on Halal Industry’ arranged by the Halal Research Council, Pakistan. The conference was inaugurated by Haji Abdul Malik Kassim, in which speakers and researchers from America, Australia, UAE, Romania, UK and South Africa participated to deliver their knowledge and research about the Halal industry. Speaking at this occasion, Haji Abdul Malik Kassim termed the MoU signing as a very significant occasion. He said that the Halal food market is a very rapidly increasing market and Malaysia is playing a momentous role in this regard. Muhammad Zubair Mughal, Chief Executive Office, Halal Research Council Pakistan, said: “the MoU will prove to be a bridge between Pakistani and Malaysian markets through which we will be able to brand our products on international platforms.” He said that the main purpose of this conference is to introduce Pakistan to be among international markets. |SOURCE: PAKISTAN OBSERVER, AUGUST 2010
MALAYSIA
The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
“Australia is the best place from which to import livestock, but there is not enough to cope with the demand in Bahrain over Ramadhan. We don’t really have an alternative but to import chilled meat. We would be importing only livestock if we could but it is not possible. The demand in Bahrain is for live animals to be transported and slaughtered here but importing chilled meat is the next best option.”
CCTV ‘MUST BE IN EVERY ABATTOIR’ SAYS JANAN MEAT CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras should be installed in all slaughterhouses to ensure animal welfare, according to a leading Halal supplier. Naved Syed of Janan Meat was speaking after meeting MLC Services CEO, Peter Phythian, and said he believes that all abattoirs, not only Halal, should embrace CCTV cameras at their killing stations. Naved said during the briefing with Phythian that he made it clear that any footage from cameras should be made available
to customers such as supermarkets, manufacturers and wholesalers, to ensure their contract specifications were being met by the operators. “Every abattoir in Britain should have closed-circuit television cameras installed, whether they are slaughtering Halal or not, to ensure the highest health, hygiene and animal welfare standards,” he said. Naved also felt CCTV cameras would benefit Halal suppliers as it “will ensure that farm animals have a ‘painless and humane’ end to their lives and also end the myth that Halal slaughtering is barbaric”. Phythian added that the meeting with Naved went well and said that while CCTV camera was a good option to have, it was up to individuals whether or not to have the cameras installed on their site. |SOURCE: MEATINFO, 5 AUGUST 2010
Trends CANADA
HALAL BEEF PRODUCTION Manitoba beef producers should be taking advantage of the growing specialised kosher and Halal markets, says Manitoba Agriculture Minister, Stan Struthers. “A recent study by Interpoc Inc. clearly demonstrates there is a growing market for specialised beef products in Manitoba, Canada and internationally, driven by people who follow Jewish and Muslim religious food practices,” Struthers said in a press release. Halal meat is slaughtered or prepared in the manner prescribed by Islamic law; its market in Canada is estimated at USD214 million, according to the study. The nationwide market for kosher beef – beef that adheres to the dietary laws of Judaism – is calculated to be about USD130 million. The study indicates that only a limited number of companies are currently servicing the specialised Halal and kosher demands in Canada. These specialised products are expensive and are often only available frozen instead of fresh because of limited production and availability. While the study focuses on the opportunity for beef, similar substantial opportunities exist for lamb, goats and poultry, Struthers noted. The Halal and kosher market study is available from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives’ Livestock Knowledge Centre by contacting Mamoon Rashid at 204-945-7557 or at mamoon.rashid@gov.mb.ca. |SOURCE: MEAT TRADE NEWS DAILY, 18 AUGUST 2010
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The Halal Journal Awards celebrates and honour success, innovation and hard work in this exciting emergent market
Recognising Excellence
2011
Nomination Form
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(You may nominate under more than one category) • Best Product • Best Islamic Financial Service or Product • Community & Environmental Development • Travel & Hospitality • Best Service Provider • Best Innovation in Halal Industry • Most Creative Marketing Campaign • Outstanding Personal Achievement
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Supporting documents may be submitted in a format of your choice, that being (a) Hard Copy, (b) in CDs, or (c) via Email. Please include in your submission the following: • Company brief: including background, date of incorporation, number of employees, etc • One page write up outlining reasons for deserving nominations • Testimonials from customers/ clients (where available) • Recent press coverage (if available) • Brochures & samples (if applicable) • Website address • Any other supporting materials or documents that you deem fit Please submit to: Panel of Judges The Halal Journal Awards 2011 c/o KasehDia Sdn Bhd 31-2, Plaza Crystalville Jalan 22A/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia T: +603 6203 1025 F: +603 6203 4072 E: info@halaljournal.com W: www.halaljournal.com Submission Conditions • Decisions made by Panel of Judges are final and no correspondences will be entertained • Materials and information supplied will be treated confidentially and will not be returned • All entries must be received before the closing date of 4th March 2011 • Successful nominations will be duly notified
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global news
UNITED KINGDOM
SCOTLAND’S FIRST HALAL EXHIBITION TO TAKE PLACE Glasgow Central Mosque will play host to the UK’s first Be Halal exhibition showcasing a free day of Halal entertainment and exhibitions, providing something for the whole family to enjoy. The event will be a fresh and exciting way of bringing Halal products and suppliers together with the prosperous Muslim community in Scotland and give the opportunity for traditional Muslim-focused companies to expand their customer base and showcase genuine products and services. Founding Director of Oceanic Consulting, Irfan Younis – the UK’s leading ethnic consulting and Promotions Company, highlighted the importance of such an event to the Muslim community in the country: “The current Muslim population in the UK is estimated at 1.9 million and growing, currently representing 3.2 per cent of the total population,” he said. “The Muslim community in Britain has an estimated spending power of over £20.5 billion meaning extensive market potential. Be Halal will allow for greater awareness of Halal products and services, and allow the Muslim community to show its economic strength.”The Be Halal exhibition on 10 October is only part of a much bigger campaign to raise the profile of traditional Muslim focused businesses. Exhibitors include Simras Fashion House, Delicious Too, Je Roche Fashion House, Saima Jewles, Candylicious and Amina-Muslim resource centre. The concept will further see the launch of an online directory as well as the launch of a bi-annual magazine. For more information visit www. behalal.info. The day will also see the budding Islamic artists taking part in an X-Factor style contest. The winner will be chosen by an external judge as yet to be confirmed and there are various prizes up for grabs. |SOURCE: MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 21 SEPTEMBER 2010
UNITED KINGDOM
ONLINE HALAL MEAT SHOP FOR UK MUSLIMS Sara’s Halal Foods have today The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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The Muslim community in Britain has an estimated spending power of over £20.5 billion, meaning extensive market potential.
announced the launch of a new online Halal meat shop (www. saras.co.uk). The shop provides UK Muslim consumers with the largest range of Halal meat products currently available online in the UK. The online Halal meat shop offers certified fresh Halal meat and poultry, chilled sliced meats, and a range of frozen products such as Halal burgers, kebabs, sausages, and also a range of marinated products – all delivered direct to the customers home. Kamruddin Kothia, Director, commented: “We are delighted to be able to offer the Muslim community in the UK a new convenient way of shopping for their Halal meat. We currently provide the widest range of Halal meat products online. In addition to the usual products you would expect in any Halal meat shop, we also stock more exotic Halal foods such as polony, salami and biltong – all at competitive prices together with the convenience of home delivery. Our initial customer trials proved a great success. Our customers have found the website easy to use and the home delivery very convenient,” said Kamruddin. In order to provide a level of assurance to the Muslim community that the Sara’s products are genuinely Halal, all the meat products are certified by HMC, the Halal Monitoring Committee in the UK. Sara’s Halal Foods is operated by eBusiness UK Limited in association with KQF. eBusiness UK is one of the UK’s longest established companies specialising in ecommerce development and management, and KQF is one of UK’s leading suppliers and manufacturers of Halal meat products.
Lifestyle EGYPT
CAIRO TO REOPEN ISLAMIC ART MUSEUM Egypt is set to reopen the world’s largest museum of Islamic art in the capital city of Cairo after a seven-year restoration and refurbishment project. Designed by Italian architect Alfonso Manescalo, the old building dated back to the early 20th century and housed some 3,000 relics including ceramics, tombs, doors, wooden screens, robes and rugs. The new museum is brighter and cleaner, and there is no sign of the cracks caused by earth tremors on the walls. “Our museum was old and needed its walls strengthened or it would be at risk of collapse,” the museum’s General Director, Mohammed Abbas Selim, said. The new museum houses 1,700 relics chosen from some 80,000 historical objects by Selim and his team. An ewer found beside the tomb of Egypt’s last Ummayad dynasty caliph, and doors commissioned by the Fatimid caliph Al Hakim for the Al Azhar mosque, are among the displayed items. “Unlike the pyramids and other ancient artefacts, Islamic art is a more specialised area,” Selim went on to say. “These are masterpieces that have to be exhibited in a way that everyone can appreciate,” he concluded. |SOURCE: PRESSTV.IR, 5 AUGUST 2010
SPAIN
|SOURCE: AHLUL BAYT NEWS
BARCELONA TO BAN ISLAMIC VEILS IN SOME PUBLIC SPACES Barcelona has become the first large Spanish city to announce a ban on the wearing of full Islamic face-veils in some public spaces. The ban was designed to include any head-wear that hindered identification, officials said. At least two towns in Catalonia, the region that includes Barcelona, have already announced bans. Belgium and France have both recently taken steps towards restricting the use of full veils in public. Barcelona’s city council said the ban would be largely symbolic, since it was uncommon to see women in the city wearing the full veil. “Barcelona will forbid the use of the burqa, niqab and any other item which hinders personal identification in any of the city’s public installations,” a council statement said. The ban would cover public spaces such as municipal offices, public markets and libraries – but not the streets. The mayor of Barcelona, Jordi Hereu, said the measure was aimed purely at ensuring people could be identified, and would therefore include balaclavas, motorbike helmets and ski masks. “In no way does it target religious belief,” he said. The ban is scheduled to take effect in Barcelona after the summer. The Conservative Popular Party (PP) called for the ban to be extended to all public places, including on the street. Full veils have already been banned in public spaces in the Catalan towns of Lleida and El Vendrell. Others are reported to be considering similar measures.
AGENCY, 23 SEPTEMBER 2010
|SOURCE: BBC NEWS, 15 JUNE 2010
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IHI Alliance news + updates
The International Halal Integrity Alliance ( IHI ALLIANCE ) is an international, non-profit initiative created to present the international Halal industry players with one definitive voice. The IHI ALLIANCE’s mission is to strengthen the Halal market and uphold the integrity of Halal for the benefit of all.
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01 Darhim with New Zealand’s Silver Fern Technical Compliance Manager, Mike Perry 02 Darhim presenting a paper “Halal: Islamic Food Requirements in Private and Public Standard” at the 18th EFLA Congress 2010 in Amsterdam
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IHI ALLIANCE AT THE 18TH EFLA CONGRESS 2010 IN AMSTERDAM The emergence of industry standards in food safety by private initiatives such as GlobalGAP, British Retail Consortium (BRC), International Featured Standard (IFS) and Safe Quality Food (SQF) Institute in the last decade have paved new roads in food regulation particularly in Europe. Leading the Halal industry is IHI Alliance who recently released the first ever global Halal standard at this year’s World Halal Forum as part of its international effort to bring harmonisation to the fragmented industry that caters for 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide. The ICCI-IHI Alliance Halal Standard was developed to be industry friendly, making it an ideal framework for any country in the world to adopt. Where government involvement is minimal or nonexistent, the ICCI IHI Alliance Halal framework could provide a platform for Halal to become an industry-regulated component of the economy. Acknowledging the international role of IHI Alliance, The European Food Law Association (EFLA) invited CEO of IHI Alliance, Darhim Hashim to present a paper at the 18th International EFLA Congress
Private Food Law in Amsterdam. Held for two days at NH Barbizan Palace, Amsterdam on 16 & 17 September 2010, the event gathered attorneys, subject matter experts and academicians from European bar councils, ISO, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Global Food Safety Initiatives (GFSI), as well as universities from all over Europe. Darhim presented a paper entitled “Halal: Islamic Food Requirements in Private and Public Standards” on the second day of the congress. Audiences were enlightened with the latest development of the ICCI-IHI Alliance Halal Standard as well as the market potential and challenges currently faced by the Halal industry, particularly on the interplay between private and public initiatives in regulating the Halal market. The European Food Law
Association (EFLA) is an international association with goals to study and to promote Food Law, as well as to contribute to the development and international harmonisation in the interest of consumer’s protection in Europe. EFLA was established in 4 May 1973 at the Institute of European Studies of the Free University of Brussels (ULB) in the course of an assembly which brought together numerous specialists in the law and the sciences of food from different countries of Western Europe. Last year, The Halal Journal reported that the Halal food market in western European countries is projected to rise to USD69.3 billion in 2010, a figure attributed to increasing purchasing power of European Muslim households, especially in France which holds the highest population. The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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IHI Alliance news + updates
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THE 17TH MEAT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE The 17th Meat Industry Association (MIA) of New Zealand Annual Conference was held at the Chateau on the park, Christchurch on 19 and 20 September 2010 attracting over 130 delegates from New Zealand and overseas. The event kicked off with MIA’s Annual General Meeting and Industry Dialogue, which was opened only to its members and affiliate members, before it was declared open by The Hon. Tim Groser, New Zealand’s Minister of Trade who also delivered the keynote opening address. CEO of IHI Alliance, Darhim Hashim was invited to speak on the topic of Halal on the second day of the conference, presenting a paper entitled “The Quest for a Global Halal Standard”. In his slides Darhim touched on the framework for Halal food regulation, the latest development of on ICCIIHI Alliance Halal Standard and IHI Alliance’s global role in harmonising the Halal industry. During the course of the conference, Darhim had the chance to meet with Minister Tim Groser himself who is very familiar with the Halal industry. The Minister expressed keen interest in Malaysia’s Halal Hub concept and how New Zealand could fit into the The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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picture. The discussions were later extended with Darhim’s other meetings with the Chief Executive of New Zealand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Murray Sherwin and the Chairman of the MIA, William Falconer. After the conference Darhim had the opportunity to meet with various representatives from the departments of Trade and Foreign Affairs. The officials were very interested with IHI Alliance’s Halal initiatives and sought views on current global Halal trends and opportunities available to enhance New Zealand’s Halal trade. New Zealand has always had a strong red meat and dairy industry. In 2010, the country’s total export of beef was recorded at 362,000 tonnes and 372,862 tonnes of sheep meat (i.e. lamb and mutton). Total export of red meat and co-products (e.g. offal, hide, tallow etc) was worth NZ$ 5.7 billion whilst dairy was NZ$ 9 billion. Despite the Muslim community being only a minority of 1% of New Zealand’s overall population, the country stands tall as the world’s largest exporter of Halalslaughtered sheep meat. Annual sheep meat exports to Saudi Arabia alone are worth NZ$98 million. New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA), a government body of the country’s food safety and also the controlling authority for imports and
exports of food products have developed new rules for Halal food certification that lay down sets of core competencies required by anyone who performs Halal slaughter or certifies Halal meat. The new regulation, known as the Halal Notice was developed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Under the new regulation, a National Islamic Advisory Council will be established for NZFSA to be able to look to these experts for advice on Halal issues as they arise in the future. Currently there are two well-established Halal certification bodies operating in New Zealand: Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) and New Zealand Islamic Meat Management (NZIMM). Darhim managed to meet with both of them to hear their views on the new rules imposed. Darhim’s next stop was in Takapau in Hawke’s Bay, North Island to visit one of Silver Fern’s plants, a sheep meat processor with a daily capacity of 13,000 head. He was greeted by the plant’s Technical Compliance Manager, Mike Perry and Assistant Plant Manager Graeme Orviss who later gave him a tour around the facility. Darhim found the plant was exceptionally clean and certainly conforms to the highest standard of quality control, living up to New Zealand’s overall reputation as the world’s leading player in Halal meat export. MICC TO STRENGTHEN TRADE TIES WITH THAILAND The Malaysia Islamic Chamber of Commerce (MICC) is proposing to the government of Malaysia a newly restructured Halal verification system and to set up a Halal professional body. The move was announced by the Chamber’s Deputy President, Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim in Bangkok, Thailand, after a series of meetings with Thailand officials on a three-day visit to Thailand organised by the Thailand Embassy in Malaysia. Tan Sri Muhammad Ali headed the 12-member
16 10/19/10 10:39:59 AM
The Halal Journal welcomes all queries, comments, suggestions and criticisms. Email us at info@halaljournal.com or fax your letters to +603 6203 4072.
05
IHI Around the Globe
2 – 4 November 2010 IN-COSMETICS ASIA, BITEC, BANGKOK, THAILAND
Event profile: In-cosmetics Asia is an established trade show designed for cosmetic manufacturers, formulators, scientists, and sales and marketing experts keen to meet exhibiting personal care ingredient suppliers. With its focus on educational seminars and new product development, In-cosmetics Asia’s mission is to showcase cutting-edge innovation. CEO of IHI Alliance, Darhim Hashim will be presenting a paper entitled “Halal Cosmetics: Embracing Universal Values” on the last day of the event.
03 The 17th Meat Industry Association of New Zealand’s (MIA) Annual Conference in session 04 MICC delegates group photo with Thai officials. Sitting in front is Deputy President Tan Sri Muhammad Ali (left) and Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Dr. Trairong Suwankiri. 05 Delegates at the Halal Science Centre Chulalongkorn University
delegation comprising of MICC members that also had IHI Alliance Senior Manager of Standards and Systems Development, Ahmad Azudin Khalid representing the Halal industry together with other leading figures from corporate investment, property, entrepreneurial and plantation sectors. Halal products manufacturing and services was one of the key areas of bilateral trade discussed between the officials in an effort to strengthen the economic ties between the two countries. The delegation also paid a courtesy call to the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Dr Trairong Suwankiri. The Thai government is currently promoting the five sectors through its Five Policies Forum involving five states of northern Peninsular Malaysia
and five states from southern Thailand. The five states from Malaysia covered under the Five Policies Forum are Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Pulau Pinang and Kelantan while the five regions from southern Thailand are Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Satun. According to Tan Sri Muhammad Ali, under the proposal auditors that are qualified under the Halal professional body will be able to perform regular audits and conformity assessment as a complementary role to certification by the authorised agency. He also added that the professional body would not burden the government or consumers since it would be a private sector initiative and will complement Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) in their Halal logo and certification work. Thailand is moving aggressively to establish itself as one of the main global Halal players in the region. Apart from its Institute of Halal Standard, Thailand also has a Halal Science Centre (HSC), the first such centre in the world and it has been able to come up with innovations in the identification and verification of Halal food products produced in the country and several other countries through its HAL-Q system.
10 – 11 November 2010 WORLD HALAL FORUM EUROPE 2010, EARLS COURT, LONDON Event profile: KasehDia Sdn Bhd, a Malaysia-based communication company and also the publisher of the Halal Journal proudly presents its second World Halal Forum Europe this time in London. Set to be held at Earls Court Conference Center, the Forum is themed “Halal Products and Services – Going Mainstream”. The UK is a key Halal market with strong consumer views and well established industry activity. Changes that are likely to happen over the coming years in the UK and Europe will have a profound effect on markets worldwide. The WHF Europe will explore these issues and more. 29 – 30 November 2010 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ISLAMIC MARKETING AND BRANDING, UNIVERSITY MALAYA, KUALA LUMPUR Event profile: The Faculty of Business & Accountancy, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur in collaboration with Zurich University of Applied Science, Switzerland and ESSEC Business School, France are organising the inaugural International Conference on Islamic Marketing and Branding (ICIMB) at Best Western Premier Seri Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on 29-30 November 2010. ICIMB aims to bring together all type of research work within the global Islamic marketing landscape. It will provide a global platform for researchers, academics, and practitioners where all issues related to Islamic marketing and branding can be actively debated. 1 – 2 December 2010 HALAL INDUSTRY WORKSHOP, BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA Event profile: Hosted by The Agency for Halal Quality Certification, a certification body based in Tuzla, the Halal Industry Workshop (HIW) will be bringing experts from Malaysia, including a representative from JAKIM, UK and Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the workshop, IHI Alliance will also be organising two technical meetings i.e. Cosmetics and Toiletries as well as a new module Muslim Friendly Hospitality Services.
The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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cover story
Ha l a l i n E u r o p e
TH
uro p an com pl x Food industry, political factors & Muslim communities
A series of recent events relating to the Halal market in Europe all point to the fact that the Halal sector is really starting to come of age. Along with the opportunities that accompany any coming of age, there are also the inevitable responsibilities to be shouldered and dilemmas to be resolved The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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Words by Abdalhamid Evans
The European picture is complex.
There are distinct nation states with their own national issues, their own Muslim communities, their own market interests and their own geo-political dynamics. There are also the wider European issues that will affect all members, as well as the even wider Islamic issues that all Muslims share, along with the often confusing – and even frustrating – differences between the various cultural and doctrinal groupings. And of course, there are financial concerns and opportunities that have caught the attention of the European business communities. With over fifty million Muslims in the greater European region (and rising), and an average annual per capita food consumption in the region of EUR1,500 (and rising), it is not surprising that business interests both large and small want to take a bite of this EUR75 billion market. The big question is… how? As attractive as this market appears, it is also something of a mine-field. At the risk of oversimplifying the issue, we can say that there are three major components at work here: • There is the food industry – trying to balance quality and price to take advantage of a clear market opportunity; • There are political forces – both for and against the growing Halal market, as well as the animal welfare lobby; • There are the Muslim communities – on the
one hand, the targeted consumers, and on the other hand, attempting to be the regulators and guardians of the religious aspects of the Halal production process. The dynamics at play here is that the predominantly proactive forces are the first two – business and politics – while the Muslims remain thus far a reactive force that is, if you will excuse the expression, rather like the meat in the sandwich, whose moves are all too often defined by their reaction to the other more active participants. Let’s take a couple of examples.
The Politics
On 16 June 2010, the European Parliament introduced a resolution that, if it is passed into law, will require meat from non-stunned animals to be labelled accordingly, that is “Meat from slaughter without stunning”. While one may argue that this is simply a move to keep consumers informed, it is drawing a dividing line along ethical grounds with the clear, even if unstated, implication that meat from this method of slaughter is less ethical, thereby creating a second class of less humane meat products. This would affect all products from whole carcasses to any The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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cover story
No stunning Scientific facts
“One can definitely conclude that improperly applied stunning methods would be much more stressful than Kosher slaughter with a long straight razor sharp knife.”
Dr. Temple Grandin Colorado State University Professor Joe Regenstein Cornell University,
downstream derivatives for all products being sold within the European Union. It is a move to marginalise and degrade both Halal and Kosher products. If it were really a sincere effort to inform consumers, then it would be fairer to make all meat products state clearly how the animal was slaughtered. The stun versus non-stun argument is not so clear cut, and surely all consumers have the right to know what they are eating. The real animal welfare issues are NOT about religious slaughter – that is really a red herring – they are issues about animal handling and being knowledgeable about, and being prepared to implement, the best practices in the animal slaughtering process.
The Industry
We must remember that the majority of the Halal products are produced in non-Muslim countries and companies. This is an observation rather than a complaint, but it needs to be kept in mind when looking at the way Halal has made its way into the mainstream. The recent disclosure that there is far more Halal meat being consumed in the UK than has been recognised is indicative of several things. Firstly, for food producers, and particularly for the food service industry, going fully Halal represents an attractive proposition. It makes good business sense. Faced with the options of a) running two separate production lines, or b) missing out on the Halal sector altogether, many producers have opted to go fully Halal. New Zealand and Australian producers were probably the
The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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The real animal welfare issues are NOT about religious slaughter – that is really a red herring – they are issues about animal handling and being knowledgeable about, and being prepared to implement, the best practices in the animal slaughtering process.
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Dr. Temple Grandin
Research on Slaughter without stunning “Politics have interfered with good science”, and one can go further to say that not enough good science has been done.
The most scholarly and informed research into this subject was conducted by Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado State University and Professor Joe Regenstein of Cornell University, and was reported in Meat Focus International in March 1994. From this report it becomes clear that the key concerns from an animal welfare perspective are less to do with stunning, and more to do with the type of stress inflicted upon the animal before and during the slaughter process. It is impossible to make a clear assessment of how the animals react to either the stun or the incision if it is already in a state of stress and agitation from the way it has been handled and restrained. Stress causes the release of chemicals into the blood stream that are best not consumed by humans, such as cortisol and adrenalin. Dr. Grandin has impeccable credentials when it comes to designing stress-free methods of handling and restraining cattle, and the observations that were made, once the animals were in a relatively stress-free state at the moment of slaughter, may be surprising to many. When held upright in a comfortable restraining box, in tests with 3,000 cattle in three different plants, it was observed that “the animals had little or no reaction to the throat cut. There was a slight flinch
when the blade first touched the throat. This flinch was less vigorous than an animal’s reaction to an eartag punch.”i When a long razor-sharp knife is used, “95 per cent of the calves collapse almost immediately; when a slower, less decisive stroke was used, there was an increased incidence of prolonged sensibility.” ii Dr. Grandin comments that there are some very poorly designed restraining devices in use in Europe. When poorly designed restraining devices are used, or where there is insensitive handling (even with good restraining devices), the animals react violently to excessive pressure. Hissing, metallic clanging noises and sudden movements are also disturbing to cattle and are unnecessary. Badly designed restraining boxes result in poor outcomes for stunning, with up to three out of five animals requiring a second shot, causing significant stress. All stunning methods appeared to cause the release of significant amounts of epinephrineiii, greater than would be caused by environmental stresses or restraining method. “One can definitely conclude that improperly applied stunning methods would be much more stressful than Kosher slaughter with a long straight razor sharp knife.”iv Dr. Grandin has also observed
But it is surely clear from this that for the prostunning lobby to take the moral high-ground is indicative of either a lack of good information or the presence of a hidden agenda, that the Kosher slaughtermen are more highly trained than the Muslim counterpart, and where she recommends stunning if the slaughter techniques are not optimal. This is clearly an issue that the proponents of non-stunned slaughter have to take into consideration, and to heed the prophetic advice, “When you kill, kill well.” It is no use simply claiming that Halal is the best method, and then performing it in anything other than the best way. As Dr. Grandin has pointed out with respect to this subject, “politics have interfered with good science”v, and one can go further to say that not enough good science has been done. But it is surely clear from this that for the pro-stunning lobby to take the moral highground is indicative of either a lack of good information or the presence of a hidden agenda, neither of which is in the best interests of animals or people. The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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cover story
No stunning Scientific facts
All stunning methods appeared to cause the release of significant amounts of epinephrine, greater than would be caused by environmental stresses or restraining method. Dr. Temple Grandin Colorado State University Professor Joe Regenstein Cornell University,
first to make this choice, and the Halal option worked well for them, although recent events in the UK may well force them to label their export products more clearly. In the UK, institutions as diverse as hospitals, sporting ground and even pubs have also opted to go fully Halal, for example with their chicken products, but without labelling their offering accordingly, and perhaps without fully appreciating the public response to this lack of disclosure. Despite some emotive and manipulative reporting on this subject, there is a strong case for letting the consuming public know what they are eating. And this has two sides to it. Not only do the non-Muslim population want to know if the meat is Halal, so that some of them can avoid it, the Halal consumers would like to know so that they can eat it. How many residents as well as travellers to the UK would appreciate knowing that they can eat the meat after all! It has been interesting to note that in the aftermath of the disclosure about undercover Halal food in the UK, the majority of the outburst was against the Muslims and the methods of slaughter; almost all of them totally ignorant about Halal slaughter methods. There were surprisingly few comments aimed at the business owners who had made these purely commercial decisions to supply Halal, and had made the conscious decision not to tell their customers – Muslim or non-Muslim. So we can draw two conclusions. Firstly, the decision to buy from a Halal supplier is often made simply on the basis of the price-quality equation.
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Ideology and faith do not come into it. As the Whitbread spokesman said, “We don’t specify Halal as a requirement in our procurement. We base our ¬decision on quality and price. It just turns out that we source that amount of chicken from suppliers that happen to be Halal.”iv Secondly, it is understandable that the general public is not knowledgeable about the details of Halal or Kosher slaughter. It is also understandable that newspapers want stories that will sell papers. But the extent of the misinformation that passes for reporting is doing little more than fanning the flames of controversy and reveals a distasteful agenda that is primarily an attack on the Muslims. But the Muslims did not ask for Halal meals at Wembley Stadium. They did not even know!
The Muslim Response
The greatest challenge facing the Muslims, on this and many other issues, is to move from a reactive to a pro-active mode of being. This is true for the Muslim nation states, but it is certainly a more pressing need for the Muslim communities in the West. There are really two significant issues here, and it is important that the Muslim communities in Europe understand them. Firstly, we have to defend both stunned and non-stunned Halal slaughter because we need them both. Halal is an industry, whether we like it or not, and the procedures of stunning are not going to go away, because
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Not only do the non-Muslim population want to know if the meat is Halal, so that some of them can avoid it, the Halal consumers would like to know so that they can eat it. How many residents as well as travellers to the UK would appreciate knowing that they can eat the meat after all!
the meat industry and the legislators are not going to allow that to happen. Pre-stunned Halal slaughter is here to stay. The issue of proving whether an animal is alive at the time of slaughter can be solved by a variety of means, and if the animal is demonstrably alive, the accusations that the process is Haram are simply not justifiable. Halal is by definition ‘permissible’ which therefore signifies a lowest common denominator rather than a highest common factor. In the face of those forces that would like to get rid of any form of Halal products, it is important to recognise that Halal, in all its varieties, needs to be supported with a unified front. There are moves to introduce stun-to-kill (as being more ‘efficient’ than stun-tostun) and the euphemistically named Controlled Atmosphere Killing, (that is death by gas) will be with us by 2013. We should pay more attention to the real issues that confront us, rather than squabble over issues which are, when we see the larger picture, actually details. Muslims need to defend the right to slaughter without stunning. They also need to insist that stunning methods ensure that the animal is alive at the moment of slaughter. The important point, surely, is that both these procedures be done in the most humane, safe and sanitary conditions possible. Secondly, the Muslim communities have to build institutions that can define and regulate the industry in the best possible way. It does not matter who is right. It matters that it is done right.
There is a pressing need, and a great opportunity, to create a national institution that will a) create clear definitions and standards for the Halal market, b) regulate the activities of the Halal certification bodies, c) ensure that the industry is clear about how to comply with Halal guidelines, and d) ensure that the consumers understand what they are buying. An accreditation body such as this would be of great benefit to the industry, to the consumers, and, importantly, to the economy. Not only are there important business opportunities within the domestic Halal markets, there are huge opportunities to supply the importdependent Muslim world. Differences have to be set aside with the understanding that the formation of national Halal accreditation bodies will be in the interests of the greater good of society. Any European country that takes on the Halal agenda in a balanced and well-planned way, will find it can create new business opportunities that will help to revive a struggling economy. If Halal is done correctly, if it is taken to its highest possibility, it can have a beneficial effect on people’s health, on animal welfare and for the economy. hj
Endnotes: i Grandin and Regenstein, Meat Focus International 1994, p 115-123. ii ibid iii Van der Waal 1978; Warrington 1974 iv Grandin and Regenstein, Meat Focus International 1994, p 115-123. v ibid vi http://halalfocus.net/2010/09/19/uk-britaingoes-halal-but-no-one-tells-the-public/
About the Author: Abdalhamid Evans is currently the Project Director for World Halal Forum Europe and is the Senior Analyst at Imarat Consultants. He is also the owner or HalalFocus.com.
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MARKETING TO GLOBAL MUSLIMS Identifying and understanding brand risks
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Words by Joy Abdullah
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The global Muslim consumer market segment is intriguing marketers across product categories as the global Halal industry has exploded! Spanning from food, to fashion, to finance and pharmaceuticals, Halal today is big business, and multinationals and independent entrepreneurs are scrambling for a piece of the USD2 trillion market (as estimated by the global consulting group AT Kearney).
What lead to this phenomenon? In the past decade, Asia’s one billion-strong Muslim population has grown by 12 per cent. In Europe, the gain is closer to 140 per cent, rapidly outpacing the rest of the population. More than 30 million Muslims live in the Russian Federation. In Britain, Muslims are the quickest-growing segment of the middle class, chalking up an average of 3.4 children against the national average of 1.9. At current growth rate it is projected that 50 per cent of the world’s population will be Muslims by 2050; resulting in an already discernable shift in global economic power. In four years, the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) plus Indonesia, Turkey and Mexico will be 11 per cent higher than that of the current G7 countries. With such critical mass, has come spending power. The Halal food category is estimated at USD560 billion, in which America’s eight million Muslims spend a reported USD170 billion annually while, those in the UK fork out USD31.5 billion, and those in France another USD7.1 billion a year.
Other key categories like Islamic finance are estimated to be at USD400 billion and growing at about 15 per cent a year. The availability of new products and services and a rising demand for mainstream products and services is making the global Muslim market a very attractive segment for brand marketers. What does Halal mean today? Traditionally, the term “Halal” was associated with the dietary requirements of the Muslim community. It meant avoiding pork and alcohol and buying specially slaughtered meat. But now, young global Muslims, with strong purchasing powers are hungry for more mainstream products and services that fulfil their specific needs—giving rise to a host of categories under the umbrella of Halal category. Who are today’s Global Muslim Consumers? 70 per cent of the Arab world is under 25-years-old, while twothirds of the Muslim community in Europe and North America is under 30. Given this “youth” of the global Muslim community, it is no wonder that categories like cosmetics and fashion is becoming more and more
popular. Halal cosmetics are one of the fastest growing sectors of the Halal industry, worth around USD560 million annually (as per Epoc Messe Frankfurt). Identifying the risks For a brand entering this market, the planning requirements are not any different from entering any other market or segment-identifying the key markets, researching the impact of the existing product portfolio on the Muslim community of that market, evaluating the competitions’ actions in order to benchmark and obtain best practices and finally doing an opportunity cost analysis to obtain earnings and brand sustainability—are all but a must in planning for establishing a successful brand. But the key is in understanding the psyche and emotional needs of the young Muslim consumer. Especially given that they are online and tech-savvy. Quoting the Marketing Week, “Muslim consumers are a growing, influential and extremely loyal group, making them a desirable market for mainstream brands. But reaching them requires more than launching ShariahThe Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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compliant products. Making inroads to this sector takes deep understanding of the values of this community and building the brand from there. They’re young, ambitious and worth at least USD2 trillion globally”. The key words above are “deep understanding of the values of this community and building the brand from there”. The foundation of which is in the concept of Halal itself that goes beyond just food and drink, and is a way of life. “Young Muslims are, for want of a better phrase, ‘more Muslim’ than their parents,” says Lisa Mabe of Hewar Communications-Washington DC. “They do feel as though wearing their religion on their sleeve is a way to say ‘Hey, this is who we are and this is what Islam stands for.’” This is the key point in developing a strong brand identity for the global Muslim segment where the differentiation from other consumer segments comes in. Understanding and applying this concept in developing the brand involves evaluating closely the risks and organisational demands that are involved in the process. The risks should not be underestimated. They should be thoroughly studied and evaluated on two levels: 1. Product/ Brand level A product and brand risk analysis considers the impact that targeting the Muslim consumers might have on the organisation’s core global brand if the product is sold in the western markets of UK, Europe and USA. Why such product and brand risk analysis is necessary: (a) In Europe, the popular French burger chain, Quick, announced its intention recently to boost its HalalThe Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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only outlets from eight to 22 to meet demand; it was hit from all sides. Right-wing politicians accused it of selling out its mainstream clientele, while Islamic groups branded the gesture pointless, unless its restaurants become Halal through-and-through. (b) In Birmingham UK, Domino’s Pizza chain ditched its Halal-only menu after just eighteen months, when sales of the porkfree pizzas plummeted. (c) Nike failed miserably with the launch of its 1996 line of Air basketball shoes. The brand logo, a flame-like graphic of the word ‘air’, was deemed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations to look too similar to the Arabic script of ‘Allah’. Nike was forced to recall 38,000 shoes, scrap the logo and make its apologies in the form of sports facilities for Islamic schools and free Nike products to Muslim charities. 2. Corporate level A corporate level risk analysis takes into account a wider view of potential transnational consumer activism thereby enabling the organisation to be prepared to deal with at least three potential threats— social, political and financial. (A) Social Risk: by virtue of their numerical strength and purchasing power, the Muslim consumer can choose “not to buy”. Such “not to buy” acts are not uncommon. Recall the indignation and, subsequently, the impact the global Muslim community had over the publication of cartoons of our beloved Prophet (p.b.u.h.) in a Danish newspaper. The
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subsequent lack of political and cultural empathy led to a widespread boycott of Danish products to the extent that even western retailers removed Danish products from their shelves due to fear of negative repercussions. Such risk of “backlash” exists if the organisations are seen to be “exploiting” the Muslim consumer. With the rise of social media, and “interest communities” being online 24/7 blurring geographical and cultural distinctions, a backlash (on a brand) can spread like bushfire through the global Muslim community in a matter of hours, thus affecting the brand not in just one specific region but globally across the markets it is present in.
“Young Muslims are ‘more Muslim’ than their parents,” says Lisa Mabe of Hewar Communications-Washington DC.
“They do feel as though wearing their religion on their sleeve is a way to say ‘Hey, this is who we are and this is what Islam stands for.’”
(B) Political Risk: Given the rising awareness of Islam, and a new found resurgence of the Muslim identity, governments across Muslim countries have responded with regulatory changes. Malaysia, for example, has created its competitive advantage by promoting Halal foods, Islamic Finance and Halal tourism. Kuwait had its first women ministers a year ago (ref: www.guardian.co.uk). (C) Financial Risk: An existing organisation has to evaluate the potential
‘fallout’ that may occur through alienating the existing consumer base by entering the Muslim consumer segment AND also has to evaluate potential revenue loss from not correctly serving the Muslim consumer. This needs to be balanced out versus the projected revenue growth expected from serving the Muslim segment. Given that, today, Muslim consumers are radically reshaping the face of mass consumerism and that the umbrella category of Halal will grow far beyond its anchor product of food and finance to include housing, cars, furniture, holidays, and so on, all developed in accordance with Shariah principles. Marketing to the global Muslim community would have to ensure, re-assuring the Muslim consumers, that the brand offered is not just a “marketing ploy” but a genuine approach, in sync with Islamic values and principles in all aspects of the brand’s operations. Towards this, communicating transparently, acknowledging Muslims in the brand communication, providing a beneficial, relevant and meaningful brand experience will enable a brand to reduce and control risk to a great extent.
hj
About the Author: With dual expertise in strategic business planning and brand marketing, Joy Abdullah is a Brand Enabler and is one of the directors at Daily Baraka Ltd – a business and brand marketing consultancy based in the UK with the objective of enabling organisations to deliver quality products and services to the global Muslim community. Such synthesis of strategic planning enables Joy to aid brands in having a strong reputation, clear image and efficient delivery. By using ethics, values, governance requirements and desired brand objectives in corporate planning, Joy minimises potential risks a brand may face, in developing the brand’s experience (to its stakeholders). He has strong knowledge of ASEAN & Indian markets. He has written many articles on the importance of ethical brand marketing encompassing brand reputation management, employee-brand relationship and CSR. His articles can be viewed at www.dailybaraka.eu and at www.opalesque.com/index.php/ archiveOIFI. Daily Baraka: “We enable brands, whether they are our own brands or ones for which we consult, that are Halal and specifically target to fulfil the needs of the global Muslim community.” The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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WHEY TO GO
Health benefits & use in the food industry
Words by Naazish YarKhan
Weight loss gurus and fitness buffs are all too familiar with protein and its “evil” sibling, carbohydrates. But the best kept weight loss and health food secret is probably whey protein. How many of us have heard of whey protein, let alone are aware of its benefits? So versatile a food it is that lactating mothers, athletes, body builders and those interested in weight loss, can all gain from it. Whey protein foods and beverages can be a beneficial part of your diet even if you are none of the above and just want to be healthy. What is Whey Protein? Whey is the watery liquid that is left over after the curd is formed during the making of cheese and fermented or acidified dairy products. It is widely used in both compound ingredients and in finished products. But, as Mr. Haider Khattak, Director, Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA), Canada, points out, whey is Halal only if it has not been modified by enzymes from nonHalal, zabiha animal sources. “Enzymes have to be sourced from microbial or plant sources to be considered Halal by most Halal certifying organisations,” he says. “Rennet, on the other hand, is an enzyme that is extracted from the stomach of a calf or lamb, and used to coagulate milk in order to make cheese. It needs to be certified to ensure that it is Halal,” he says. “Whey protein is separated from milk during the process of making milk into cheese. It is a mixture of proteins naturally found in milk. It has one of the highest levels of protein digestibility, and is more rapidly digested than other proteins, such as casein that’s found in cow’s milk,” explains Mr. Zehsan Sadek, a food technologist at IFANCA, Chicago. The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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Protein, an important nutrient comprised of essential and non-essential amino acids, is responsible for the repair of body cells, the building and repairing of muscles and bones, a source of energy and it controls vital processes related to metabolism. “Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) is an ingredient derived from whey by removing minerals and lactose,” he adds. “When dry, the protein concentrate contains a minimum of 25 per cent protein. Whey Protein Isolates (WPI), however, are the most pure and concentrated forms of whey protein, with negligible amounts of fat (if any) and at least 92 per cent protein.” WPCs and WPIs, both, are ingredients found in instant whey protein shakes, ice cream, bread, canned soup, infant formulas and many other food products. Whey Protein and Weight Loss Like ‘fibre’, the word ‘protein’ is enough to get the health conscious to listen. Protein, an important nutrient comprised of essential and non-essential amino acids, is responsible for the repair of body cells, the building and repairing of muscles and bones, a source of energy and it controls vital processes related to metabolism. Whey protein, which is nutrient dense, is found in most weight loss and meal replacement products. According to the Whey Protein Institute, studies have shown that those who “combine diets with leucine-rich protein foods, like whey protein, and exercise have more lean muscle tissue”. In turn, they lose more body fat, “their metabolic rate increases and they naturally burn more calories each day.” Whey protein when consumed provides a feeling of satiety or fullness, even though it
is easily digested and efficiently absorbed by the body. That, too, plays a role in deterring people from that extra helping at meals. Another study found that whey protein outperformed the protein casein, which is found in cow’s milk, when it came to providing a feeling of satiety. There is only one percent of whey protein in cow’s milk. “The body uses more energy to digest protein than other foods (thermic effect) and consequently allows the body to burn more calories after a protein meal. Further, protein helps to stabilise blood glucose levels by slowing the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. This in turn reduces hunger by lowering insulin levels and making it easier for the body to burn fat,” according to the Whey Protein Institute. “Whey protein also contains bioactive components which stimulate the release of two appetite-suppressing hormones: cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1).” Adding a whey protein beverage as a mid-day snack provides healthy energy and may help with portion control when sitting down for a meal. But whey protein isolates, as a product containing 92 per cent protein, sounds almost too good to be true. I can almost see people doing a double-take, especially if they swear by their high proteinno carbohydrates diet. However, just like any other weight loss programme, if people do not exercise at all or cut back on other calories, like any other food, whey protein The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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will contribute to weight gain. It helps people who are dieting or exercising to lose weight. So, nursing moms will need to exercise too, so that they don’t gain weight, if they choose a whey protein shake, for example. Quality Pro®: Halal Certified Instant Whey Protein Beverage There were no known Halalcertified whey protein beverages in the US market until this year. This Ramadhan, HalalHealthy. com, a division of US based Med-Diet, launched its own line of Halal-certified whey protein instant beverages which is available in three flavours: Vanilla, Strawberry and Chocolate. Sold under the QualityPro® brand name, these instant beverages can be used for health maintenance, weight loss and even by diabetics or bariatric surgery patients. The formula is sweetened with IFANCA Halal-certified Splenda® rather than sugar, making it lower in calories. “We have always sought out under-served niche markets,” says Mr. Don Tymchuck, President of Med-Diet. “We began Med-Diet 30 years ago to create specialty foods for patients with medical conditions. We began with hospitals and then at-home level to ensure that the healing process that had been initiated at a medical facility could be continued at home. We began creating meals and mixes, that patients could order once they were home, that tasted good and were beneficial. Our emphasis on Halal is no different. There is a definite need for a Halal-certified whey protein beverage.” For those interested, www.HalalHealthy.com even displays the Halal certificates for the products on the website itself. The company sells in bulk and online in the US. Halal shoppers can The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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buy QualityPro® breakfast shakes as single flavours or as a variety pack, in smaller or bulk quantities. All three flavours have been certified as Halal by IFANCA. Labels Reading labels is part and parcel of the Halal consumers’ grocery shopping experience in the West and that practice is important even when purchasing whey protein. “If you are purchasing whey protein, reading labels is important in determining whether a product has an acceptable amount of whey protein and/ or whey protein isolate,” says Mr. Tymchuck. The more there is of an ingredient, the closer it is to being listed at the beginning of the nutrition label, he says. “For whey protein beverages, either Whey Protein Isolate or Whey Protein Concentrate should appear first on the labels.” “Further, not all proteins are created equal,” he adds. “Whey protein isolates ranks highest for being easily digested and retained by your body. The QualityPro® brand uses whey protein isolate as the main ingredient in its instant breakfast mixes to ensure that you get the maximum benefit.” “You get 28 grams of high quality protein (20 grams from whey protein isolate) from QualityPro® instant beverages when mixed with eight ounces of skim milk (the remaining eight grams of protein comes from the skim milk). That is twice the protein of most other instant breakfast mixes in the US,” he says. Because of high protein levels, WPIs are very low in fat and carbohydrates, so preferable to WPCs. The more protein there is, the less there is of the other components. If you are lactose intolerant, whey protein concentrate is not for you. Many whey protein
Protein promotes the rebuilding of tissue. While that is what makes proteins and whey protein important for bodybuilders and athletes, it is also important to those recovering post surgery, incisions and even wounds.
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bars and beverages also contain gluten. Again, do read the label and check with a doctor. Protein – Which is Best? Jay R. Hoffman and Michael J. Falvo represented the Department of Health and Exercise Science, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, New Jersey, at the International Society of Sports Nutrition Symposium, in 2005. They spoke on “Macronutrient Utilisation During Exercise: Implications for Performance and Supplementation”. Comparing the biological value of various proteins, they ranked whey protein even higher than eggs, milk or beef. See Table 1 for the ranks of protein sources according to them: Protein Type
Biological Value
Whey protein Egg Milk Beef Casein Soy protein Wheat gluten
104 100 91 80 77 74 64
The Institute of Whey Protein provides us with some of the differences between whey protein and soy protein: • Whey protein is a nutritionally complete protein. It contains bioactive ingredients, like immunoglobulin and lactoferrin, which help support the immune system. • Athletes prefer whey protein to soy protein due to its rich abundance of branched chain amino acids and its quick absorption rate. These are important to help repair and rebuild muscles after a workout or competitive event. • Whey protein has a relatively fresh, neutral taste and will not change the taste of foods you add it to. • Whey protein does not contain isoflavones or any other components with potential hormonal effects. Other Benefits of Whey Protein Protein promotes the rebuilding of tissue. While that is what makes proteins and whey protein important for bodybuilders and athletes, it is also important to those recovering during post surgery, incisions and even wounds. The growth of new skin is jump-started by protein and its amino acids. While the body can create non-essential amino acids, the only way for it to make essential amino acids is by eating high quality protein foods. A lack of protein in your system, or the consumption of poor quality proteins, can slow down the healing
process. Whey protein is often recommended by physicians for patients who have had surgery or even burn therapy. Similarly, the body needs more protein during hormonal changes such as adolescence, lactation, pregnancy and menopause. Whey protein provides the body with much needed amino acids during this time. Pregnancy can increase the expectant mothers’ need for protein by up to 33 per cent. According to Jednak, M., et al (1999), in the American Journal of Physiology – Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology: “Protein meals reduce nausea and gastric slow wave dysrhythmic activity in the first trimester of pregnancy”. However, since the second most abundant component in whey protein is alphalactalbumin, one of the main proteins in human breast milk, it is best to consult a doctor to be sure whey protein is right for you if you are pregnant or nursing. “Breast milk is best for infants,” says Mr. Sadek. “When that is not an option, opt for infant formulas that contain whey protein, even for premature infants, as it contains alpha-lactalbumin, which is also found in human breast milk.” He adds that certain kinds of whey protein-based infant formulas have also been shown to help reduce crying in colicky infants, according to a study by Lucassen, P., et al. (2000) published in “Pediatrics” – the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. As in almost every decision, ask a doctor before making health-related changes to your diet. Whey proteins and the food industry On the food industry side, whey proteins find their way into a variety of food products. “A WPC of 34 per cent protein
is often used as a stabiliser in yoghurt, bakery mixes, dietetic foods, infant foods, and confections,” says Mr. Khattak. “A WPC of 50 or 80 per cent protein, on the other hand, is used in nutritional drinks, soups, bakery products, meat, dietary foods, and economical egg-white replacement in food formulation.” Again, because WPC’s might contain Haram enzymes, the product could be considered Mashbooh or doubtful. The way the food industry works today, food production is a little bit like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Each ingredient in a product – whether it is chocolate, cereal or a microwave dinner – may come from a different nation or different manufacturers. All of it can be combined into the product you find on store shelves, in still another nation. As a consumer, there is no telling where the ingredients have been sourced from, even if a label reads ‘Made in the USA’. Hence, the need for Halal certification to maintain checks and balances and to ensure there has been no cross-contamination with porcine or alcohol products at any stage of the process. “Ingredients like whey protein, which are created using complex procedures, are used extensively in American foods today, making Halal certification all the more important,” says Mr. Tymchuck. “If you are not growing your own food, and most of us are not, Halal certification does the homework, ascertaining the Halal-worthiness of a product for you.” hj About the Author: Naazish YarKhan is a Halal industry insider and consults as a Content and Media strategist. An editor and writer, she has been published internationally, in over 35 publications. Her commentaries have aired on National Public Radio in the US, and her clients include Teachers College, Columbia University; IFANCA; Med-Diet; Mint Copy, Canada and the Chicago Crescent. She expects to graduate with a MSc from Northwestern University in 2011.
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Indian Halal Meat Industry
Words by Shafeeq Rahman
Analysis & updated stats of the market
India
is one of the major meat producing and exporting countries in the world and it has shown annual growth of more than ten per cent since 1990-91. However, unorganised sectors have the greater share in meat production in comparison to registered organised sector. The overall estimated production of meat was 6.5 million tonnes during 2007-08, whereas in recognised sector it was only 2.6 million tonnes.
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Punjab are major meat producing states in India. Slaughter rate for cattle as a whole is 1.37 per cent, for buffaloes 3.54 per cent, sheep 29.02 per cent, and 34.08 per cent for goats in the years 2007-08. Average yield rate per buffalo is higher than cattle. Poultry is also one of the most slaughtered animals in India followed by goat and sheep. Details about slaughtered animals can be better understood in Table 1.
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Expansion of Indian middle income group and overseas demand increase the production of meat manifold. But the sector is still dominated by unorganised units with around 25,000 unregistered slaughterhouses and estimated 4,000 registered slaughterhouses. Meat is produced by small-time butchers on local street side and also sold in retail shops to meet the local demand. People prefer to purchase in wet markets to ensure the hygiene of meat and compliance of Halal due to uncertainty about the quality of processed and packaged
food. Meat processing industry is still small, with only selected producers like Allanasons, Hind, Al Kabeer, Godrej Agrovet, and a few more others, and contribute marginal share of overall meat production. Processing of poultry and buffalo meat are six per cent and 20 per cent respectively, while in developed countries, it is 60-70 per cent of overall production.
Health of Livestock
A big advantage for India is its livestock health status. India has always been free from the dreaded Mad Cow Disease
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Table 1: Animals slaughtered in India (2007-08) Animal
Number of Animals (in ‘000) (2007)
Number of Animals Slaughtered (in ‘000)
Average Yield Rate Per Animal (in kg.)
Meat Production (in ‘ 000 tonne)
Slaughter Rate
Cattle Buffalo Sheep Goat Poultry
189,973 102,454 68,204 133,457 -
2,604 3,630 19,794 45,483 673,604
80 104 20 11 1.26
213 376 263 488 849
1.37 3.54 29.02 34.08 -
A big advantage for India is its livestock health status. India has always been free from the dreaded Mad Cow Disease (BSE) and has been free from Rinderpest since 1995. There has not been a single incidence of Contagious Bovine Pleuro Pneumonia (CBPP) in India during the previous 12 years.
takes up one third portion of overall animal welfare fund. Currently, there are 56,604 veterinary institutions functioning in India to cater to the diseases of animal.
Hygiene & Halal compliance
(BSE) and has been free from Rinderpest since 1995. There has not been a single incidence of Contagious Bovine Pleuro Pneumonia (CBPP) in India during the previous 12 years. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) remains the only issue of concern, though being controlled through various measures. In 2008, 2,207 buffaloes were infected and 454 died due to different diseases like Haemorrhagic septicaemia, FMD, and so on. Because of that, the Indian government, in 2008-09, released INR11,515 lakhs for the control of diseases in animals. This amount
Major quantities of produced meat, specifically buffalo meat, are exported to overseas markets since the domestic market does not have much demand due to religious constraint in Hindu and Buddhism religions, which constitute more than 80 per cent of the country’s population. Beef export is prohibited by laws of India but it is permissible to produce in selected states of India. Adhering to the Halal method in animal slaughter practices is an important issue for Muslim consumers, therefore, prior to granting the registration certificate to abattoirs/ meat processing plants, it is mandatory to disclose the method of slaughter and whether Halal slaughtering is practiced properly, as well as ensure records of number of animals slaughtered are kept by the representatives of the Islamic organisation. Halal compliance and
hygiene quality makes India a favoured choice for meat imports by Muslim countries. In 2008-09, a total of 462,749.65 metric tonne buffalo meat worth USD1052.32 million were exported. Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines and the Middle East were major importing countries. After buffalo meat, mutton worth USD107.27 million, were exported in large quantities to the Middle East, Malaysia and Angola. 1,057,016 metric tonnes of poultry products, including eggs and meat, worth USD42,205 million were exported to Afghanistan, Germany, Denmark, Angola, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Japan. Table 2 (see page 34) shows the top importing countries of Indian meat in 2009-10. Authenticity of Halal compliance in respect to slaughtering methods of Indian meat is occasionally questioned due to lack of knowledge about India and its exporters. And on the basis of the assumption that Hindus dominate the country, Indian meat are slaughtered by Pagans and not in accordance to Islamic slaughtering. However, it is pertinent to note that India hosts the world’s third largest Muslim community and profession in the meat industry is exclusively being adapted by Muslims; more than five per cent of producers and exporters are Muslims, and abattoirs and meat plants are owned by Muslims. The Hindu community is completely vegetarian and slaughtering is strictly prohibited according to their religion.
Rumours & fake claims
Recent controversy sparked after an announcement that the Algerian government was to import 4,000 tonnes of red meat from India to meet their increasing demand during the month of Ramadhan, and since then, Algeria has become a new addition to India’s list The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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Table 2: Top importing countries of Indian meat (2009-10)
Buffalo Meat Sheep/ Goat Meat Poultry Products
Country
Quantity Value Country (Metric Tonne) (USD million)
Vietnam Malaysia Philippines Egypt Kuwait Saudi Arabia UAE Jordan Angola Iraq
116,974.7 55,826.97 40,525.86 32,923.24 33,873.96 28,732.64 21,419.84 17,724.39 14,885.82 13,000.29
303.98 132.6 91.25 81.23 75.25 69.51 46.29 40.9 35.54 27.23
of countries interested in importing Indian meat. It was recently rumoured that Indian meat are produced with the help of Israel and that forged Halal stamps were used to deceive Muslims. Fake claims about the forged Halal stamp and the relation of Ahmedi Muslim to Indian meats are quoted in various newspapers with reference to a report published by the World Assembly Muslim Youth (WAMY), an Islamic educational organisation based in the United Kingdom. However, when WAMY officials were contacted to clarify, they promptly replied: “No such report has been published by WAMY in the UK. Our office engages in community educational and Islamic awareness programmes. Our work has no relation to such issues as Halal meat in India”. Djahid Zefzef, General Manager of the Algerian Meat Packing Company, clarified to the media about Indian meat that “the Algerian government imports the meat from authorised Muslim slaughterhouses in India, particularly in the western state of Maharashtra and the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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Saudi Arabia Egypt Iraq UAE Malaysia Angola Kuwait Oman Qatar Lebanon
Quantity Value Country (Metric Tonne) (USD million) 9,552.66 11,535.1 7,821.5 5,140.52 4,132.65 3,009.59 2,157.14 1,192.06 838.77 950.8
36.77 29.72 22.92 17.06 11.08 7.88 6.08 3.91 3.18 2.88
Afghanistan Oman Germany Angola Indonesia Liberia Denmark Bahrain Japan Netherlands
Quantity Value (Metric Tonne) (USD million) 376,051.1 177,340.2 2,395.12 132,732.2 1,071.66 65,077.19 753.04 47,440.61 551.72 1,011.75
18.6 7.79 7.07 6.88 5.22 3.61 3.43 2.86 2.41 2.31
Leading companies in India’s Halal meat industry
in Delhi, is the only company in India to have the unique facility to procure animals – buffalo, sheep and goat – for Allanasons Limited processing, conforming to the strict guidelines Allanasons Company was founded by of hygiene and sanitation. Farmers are Abdulla Allana in 1865 in Bombay encouraged to rear buffaloes and lambs with the sense of business and trading in especially for supplying to the company. agriculture products. It is now a major Under the public-private partnership (PPP) producer and exporter of processed fruit, scheme, the company has a joint-venture spices, coffee, frozen meat and marine modern abattoir-cum-meat processing products. Allanasons’ head office is in plant at Aligarh with the government Mumbai and is perhaps the largest exporter of Uttar Pradesh, which complies with of Halal boneless buffalo meat. Canned all international standards and has the corned meat and frozen offal are the other production capacity of 400 MT meats. major meat products which are exported Average annual turnover of the company by the company. The Allana Group has is more than INR350 Crores. Net sale of pioneer (1969) position in the export of the company (2009-10) through operation deboned and deglanded frozen Buffalo is INR12245.57 lakhs with profit of meat, exporting its products currently INR256.35 lakhs up from INR11796.10 to 64 countries worldwide, including lakhs and INR103.67 in profit the previous South East Asia, the Middle East, CIS year. Focused areas for exports are to (Commonwealth of Independent States), countries such as Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Africa and Pacific Basin Nations, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, singularly accounting for about 60 per cent Mauritius, Oman, Oman, Philippines, of meat exports from India. It has registered Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, UAE, and modern, integrated meat processing abattoirs Yemen, East and West African countries cum plants at Mumbai, Delhi, Taloja and CIS countries. Halal norms are Maharashtra and Sahibabad Ghaziabad strictly followed under the supervision of UP, which were set up according to the Jamiath-Ulama-I-Hind’s representatives. highest international standards and specifications, and incorporating the latest Al Kabeer technology and automation in all stages Al Kabeer group has the expertise in of meat production. The company adheres manufacturing and distribution of frozen to the requirements of Islamic slaughter. foods. Al Kabeer has been the most trusted name for Mutton, Chicken and Hind Agro Industries Beef for over three decades. It has offices Limited (HAIL) in the UAE, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Hind Agro Industries, founded by Its plants are built to international Sirajuddin Qureshi with the head office standards, equipped with state-of-the-art
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A hundred per cent foreign direct investments are allowed in the processing industry. The Greater Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s Deonar slaughterhouse is the first abattoir in India that has been approved by the UAE for exporting mutton to Dubai.
machinery, and are approved by the EEC, the United States Armed Forces and the Australian Quarantine Board. They strictly follow Shariah requirements during the poultry processing. Venkateswara Hatcheries Pvt. Lt Venkateswara Hatcheries Pvt. Ltd, founded by Dr. BV Rao in 1971, is a well-known company in the business of processed chicken under the brand name, Venky’s. Product ranges are fresh chilled chicken, frozen chicken (whole, boneless and portions) and freezer-to-fryer, microwaveable and cold-cut chickens. The processing plant located at Kamshet Maharashtra has a dressing capacity of 4,000 birds an hour with an equivalent capacity for further cut-ups and automatic deboning. The plant receives its broiler stock from the company’s own broiler rearing farm at Karla, which has a capacity or rearing 300,000 broilers to ensure disease-free birds are brought to the processing plant. Poultry products are exported to countries in the Middle East, South Asia, Europe and African countries, and are all prepared and processed in compliance to Shariah requirements. Other prominent companies are ALM Industries Ltd by Mujeeb Malik (Saharanpur), Eagle Continental Foods Pvt. Ltd. by Shahid Ali Qureshi, Amroon Foods Pvt. Ltd by Saleem (Barabanki), Al-Nafees Frozen Food Exports Pvt. Ltd. by Mohammad Atif (Gurgaon), Al–Saqib Exports (P) Ltd by Shahid Akhlaq (Meerut), M.K. Overseas Pvt. Ltd by Mohd. Kamil Qureshi (Punjab), Al Hamd Agro Food Products Pvt. Ltd by Mohd. Zaheer (Aligarh), J.S. International by M.R. Farrukh (Unnao), GIEX Foods Pvt. Ltd by Zafar Khan (Rampur), Al-Quresh Exports by Shakir (Solapur), and Al Faheem Meatex Pvt. Ltd by Mohd Imran (Meerut).
Developments: quality, investments & policies
To ensure hygienic and scientific slaughtering and optimum utilisation of byproducts and to organise the meat producing infrastructure according to international standards, the government of India launched a comprehensive plan for modernisation of abattoirs under public-private partnership mode with the involvement of local bodies (municipal corporations and Panchayat) and has the flexibility for involvement of private investors/ exporters and overseas groups through FDIs (foreign direct investments). The government has set up the National Meat & Poultry Processing Board (NMPPB) to oversee the growth and further promotion of Meat and Poultry sector in the country. A hundred per cent foreign direct investments are allowed in the processing industry. The Greater Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s Deonar slaughterhouse is the first abattoir in India that has been approved by the UAE for exporting mutton to Dubai. The government regulates the meat industry to safeguard consumer interest by the food safety and standards bill (2006) and meat food products order (1973). However, an integrated policy or law for livestock products is under consideration in government planning. hj
About the author: Shafeeq ur Rahman, post graduate in Economics and Islamic Studies, is a professional researcher working with leading data provider company www. indiastat.com and holds corporate research experience of more than seven years on Indiacentric databases. His core interest areas are writing on socio-economic issues of Muslim, Islamic Economics & Finance and Indian economy. Presently, he is doing his PhD on Islamic Economics Thoughts from Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi. The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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fastrack
Asia •• Crescentrating: Making Waves
First Android mobile application & partnership with EuroAsia Communications On 12 October, Crescentrating launched its first Android mobile application, “crTravel Guide” targeted at the growing Halal-friendly travel market segment. Now travellers will be able to access details of Halal-Friendly Hotels, Halal-Friendly Holiday packages, Destination Guides, Airport Guides, Halal Restaurants, and so on, through a simple and easy-to-access interface on their Android mobile phones. “We want to continue to provide all relevant information for the Halal-conscious travellers through all platforms. This application will The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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now allow travellers to access our unique content through a userfriendly interface on their mobile phones. We wanted to keep the interface simple and user-friendly. We will be launching mobile applications for iPhone/ iPad, Symbion and BlackBerry devices as well very soon,” said Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of Crescentrating. The countries covered in this version includes Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Singapore, Australia, China, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Barbados, Brunei, Egypt, Guyana, Maldives, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Trinidad & Tobago. Crescentrating plans to add more relevant content for these destinations and add more destinations in the coming months to facilitate travellers. The application was developed in partnership with the Singapore-based mobile application developer, EuroAsia Communications. The application is available through the “Android market”. In addition, EuroAsia Communications will also distribute the application through
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fastrack
its partner network of operators such as SingTel (Singapore), M1 (Singapore), Telkomsel (Indonesia), Reliance (India), Tata DOCOMO (India), Optus (Australia), 3Mobile (Australia) and Maxis (Malaysia). Crescentrating’s partnership with EuroAsia Communications will also be to provide a onestop service for hotels and other travel services looking to develop mobile applications as well as reach the growing Halal-friendly travel market. “Reaching travellers through mobile applications is becoming a vital element for hotels and travel services. This partnership allows us to bring together our expertise in Mobile applications as well as Crescentrating’s expertise in reaching the Halal-conscious traveller to the travel industry,” said Irwan Shah bin Abdullah @ Wolfgang Sladkowski, the Managing Director of EuroAsia Communications Pte Ltd. EuroAsia Communications Pte Ltd is a mobile applications development company for tourismrelated companies based in Singapore that was founded by Irwan Shah, a German national. It operates a Malaysian subsidiary “EuroAsia Networks (M) Sdn Bhd” which was co-founded by YM Raja Anor Shah that functions as the Global Mobile Content Deployment Centre with connectivity to 71 mobile operator networks (MNOs) worldwide.
Photo by Andrew Richards
The Halal Journal welcomes all queries, comments, suggestions and criticisms. Email us at info@halaljournal.com or fax your letters to +603 6203 4072.
“I am very satisfied with the one-stop service Wellcare had provided us with. We knew little about Singapore and with the provision of Wellcare’s extended services (aligning with our requests) to ensure our religious needs, apart from the other needs, were being aided, nothing went wrong.”
Singapore: Halal-friendly services for Middle Eastern healthcare visitors With more and more from the Middle East region travelling for Healthcare to places like Singapore, Crescentrating is expanding its services to cater to this segment of travellers as well. In Singapore, Crescentrating just announced that it is partnering with Wellcare Medical & Executive Concierge Services to offer Halal-Friendly Travel & Concierge Services for Healthcare visitors to Singapore. With Singapore Hospitals already equipped to take care of the specific needs of the Halal- conscious visitors, this initiative is expected to further boost Singapore as a preferred destination for those seeking specific treatment or general
healthcare services from these regions. “This is a logical extension to the services that we have already launched. With more and more Muslims travelling not just for leisure and business but also for Healthcare, we wanted to extend Halal-Friendly Travel services for these travellers as well,” said Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of Crescentrating. “Our goal is to provide a wide range of services covering all aspects for the Halal conscious travellers, so that they can travel with peace of mind, whether for leisure, business or healthcare,” added Fazal. Beyond providing medical related information as well as liaising with hospitals and doctors, the services will ensure that The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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Asia •• Crescentrating: Making Waves the visitors’ Halal-related requirements are taken into account during their stay in Singapore. It will also promote packages that will combine general health screening services with holidays to Singapore. Wellcare has been a Healthcare concierge services provider, for well over three years. “Singapore is becoming a popular destination for visitors from the Middle East, South East Asia and South Asia seeking high quality healthcare. Our experiences with visitors from these regions fits very well with Crescentrating’s focus on Halal-friendly services for travellers,” said Borhan Saini, Managing Director of Wellcare. “Our goal is to provide one-stop and personalised services to healthcare visitors to Singapore,” he added. Sheikh Mohammed Saleem from Abu Dhabi shared his satisfactions during his time spent in Singapore for his father’s cancer treatment: “I am very satisfied with the one-stop service Wellcare had provided us with. We knew little about Singapore and with the provision of Wellcare’s extended services (aligning with our requests) to ensure our religious needs, apart from the other needs, were being aided, nothing went wrong. From accommodation to Halal meals, right up to the smallest details, such as information on the whereabouts of the prayer rooms, were all taken care of. I will, with no qualms, spread the word and refer Wellcare to my family and relatives, friends and acquaintances.” “Crescentrating will continue to work with other partners to cover all aspects for Healthcare travellers,” said Fazal. The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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Partnership with India’s leading Halal authority Photo by Csunpandia
“This exposure of India to Halalfriendly travel is a welcome move for Muslim travellers around the world and I am sure that Indian tourism and healthcare industry will hugely benefit from this,”
On 5 October 2010, a partnership to boost the growing Halal industry in India was announced. The partnership was between Singapore based Crescentrating which provides “HalalFriendly” rating for travel and tourism services and facilities, and Halal India – India’s leading Halal certification authority. With the Halal food and travel industries set to grow in the region, this partnership will help promote India’s Halal food products as well as its travel services to the growing number of Halal-conscious consumers worldwide. Under this agreement, Halal India will promote Crescentrating to the travel industry services and facilities in India, whereas Crescentrating will publish and maintain a list of the establishments
certified Halal by Halal India on its website (www. crescentrating.com). CEO of Crescentrating, Fazal Bahardeen said, “We believe this partnership will help further unlock the huge potential that India has, to cater to the growing consumer demand, domestically as well as internationally, for both Halal food and Halal-friendly travel. Travel and food are very much interconnected; and bringing our expertise together will hugely benefit Indian establishments who wish to target this market segment”. Crescentrating’s Hotel Rating, launched last year, rates Hotels on a scale of 1 to 7. Apart from taking into consideration the very specific needs of the Halal-conscious travellers such as prayer facilities, Halal food, and others, it
also takes into account family-friendly facilities, environment friendliness, and so on. Crescentrating’s website also allow online booking of Crescentrated Halal-friendly hotels and holidays, provides destination guides, airport guides, restaurant guides, Qiblah locator, and prayer time calculator to name a few, to cater to the unique needs of Muslim travellers. “This exposure of India to Halal-friendly travel is a welcome move for Muslim travellers around the world and I am sure that Indian tourism and healthcare industry will hugely benefit from this,” said Mohamed Jinna, CEO of Halal India “The rich Indian culture, heritage and its blend of the ancient, the new and the picturesque, is truly incredible and I am sure that Muslims around the world will enjoy exploring India in a Halal-friendly environment,” added Mohamed Jinna. Halal India Pvt Ltd is an independent certification body which is recognised by the government of India. Halal India certification covers Permitted (Halal) Food, Cosmetics, and Pharmaceuticals. Apart from certification, it also conducts Research work, Halal Certification & Diploma Courses, Corporate Training, and Awareness Programmes. It is an executive member of the International Halal Integrity Alliance; and Intertek Testing Service (S) Pte Ltd counts it as a global partner.
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fastrack
Asia •• Dindings launched Satay in handy pack
From left: Catherine Chee Siew Chin (Director, Emperor’s Kitchen Sdn Bhd), Tony Wo Kah Keat (General Manager, Dindings Poultry Processing), Dato’ Dr Haji Kardin bin Haji Shukor (Director, Dindings Poultry Processing), Mr. The Wee Chye (Managing Director, Malayan Flour Mills Berhad), Dato’ Hj. Ameer Ali bin Mydin (Managing Director, Mydin Group), Dato’ Dr. Goh Cheng Teik (Director, Dindings Poultry Processing) & Puan Sri Datin Seri (Dr) Susan Cheah (Exco Member, Sunway Group Companies)
Dindings Poultry Processing Sdn Bhd has introduced an exclusive product for those who are fond of satay, Ayam Dindings Chicken Satay. The product was officially launched on 21 September 2010 at Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa in Selangor, Malaysia.
The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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The good news is that it is the first fully cooked chicken satay conveniently packed to include the traditional peanut sauce (see page 65). This delicious Halal-certified product is created to appeal to Malaysian taste buds and satay lovers.
Dindings Poultry Processing is one of the leaders in processed poultry products and further processed poultry products in Malaysia. The company has emerged as the preferred supplier to all the major market segments in the country ranging
from the international fast food chains, hypermarkets, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, airlines to food manufacturers. Marketed under the brand names of Ayam Dindings and Ayam Fiesta, Dindings’ products have been exported to many countries including Japan, Hong Kong, and to special markets in Muslim countries like Brunei Darussalam. The company practises strict bio-security, good animal husbandry and veterinary health programmes in all its poultry farms. Dindings’ poultry products are Halalcertified by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) with strict compliance to the Malaysian Halal Standard (MS1500:2009). The production processes are also ISO 9001:2008 certified and quality control is monitored at every stage of the processing.
40 10/21/10 9:29:04 AM
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country in focus 01
A Damascene moon travels through my blood Nightingales... and grain... and domes From Damascus, jasmine begins its whiteness And fragrances perfume themselves with her scent From Damascus, water begins... for wherever You lean your head, a stream flows And poetry is a sparrow spreading its wings Over Sham... and a poet is a voyager
Words by Dayana Nordin
From A Damascene Moon - by Nizar Qabbani 1923 - 1998 | Damascus
Syria
The beating heart of Arabism The Syrian Arab Republic, or Syria
02
as it is commonly known, is located in Western Asia and borders Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and Palestine. Syria covers more than 185,170 square kilometres and this includes 1,295 square kilometres of Israeli-occupied territory. Syria’s landscape is made out of narrow coastal plains with a double mountain belt in the west, and large, semi-arid and desert plateaus to the east. Being mostly desert, Syrian climate is hot, dry and sunny during its summers and its winter is mild and rainy along the coast. The capital of Syria is Damascus, with a population of about 1.7 million people. During the height of Islamic era, Damascus was the seat of the Umayyad Empire and a provincial capital of the Mamluk Empire. It is widely regarded as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Other highly populated Syrian cities include Metropolitan Damascus (excluding city) with about 2.7 million people and Aleppo with an estimated 4.6 million people. Islamic Era In year 640, the Rashidun army conquered Syria that was led by Khaled al-Walid, which resulted in the area becoming part of the Islamic empire. Later in the mid-seventh century, the Umayyad dynasty, then rulers of the empire, positioned the capital of the empire in Damascus. Syria The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
Countryfocus.indd 42
01. View of Aleppo from Citadel of Aleppo hill 02. Bedouin girl in the desert of Syria 03. The corridor of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus 04. The Apamea ruins - Apamea is located on the right bank of the Orontes river about 55km to the north west of Hama, Syria. It overlooks the Ghab valley and was built by Seleucus Nicator, the first king of the Seleucids in Syria in 300 BC. He named it after his parisian wife, Afamea
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According to the International Monetary Fund in 2008, Syria’s GDP (gross domestic product) is estimated at USD55.2 billion with a growth rate of 5.2 per cent and its per capita GDP is about USD2,592.
03
04
was divided into four districts; Damascus, Homs, Palestine and Jordan. At the time, the Islamic empire stretched from Spain and Morocco to India and parts of Central Asia, and Syria, being the capital, enjoyed economic prosperity. Early Umayyad rulers such as Abd al-Malik and alWalid constructed a number of impressive palaces and mosques throughout Syria, predominantly in Damascus, Aleppo and Homs. During later Umayyad rule, the country’s power dramatically declined and was finally overthrown by the Abbasid dynasty in 750, the capital city was then moved to Baghdad. Moreover, Frankish overlords briefly held sections of the Syrian coastline during the Crusades of the 12th century, which were also under constant Hashshashin (Assassins) threat. In 1260, the Mongols arrived and ruled briefly before the Mamluks overtook them in the Battle of Ayn Jalut. The Mongols then regained the city
of Damascus in 1281 but were defeated once more to Mamluk forces in the Second Battle of Homs later in the same year. By the 15th century, the discovery of a sea route from Europe to the Far East ended the need for an overland trade route through Syria. Due to the effects of wars, Syria was easily absorbed into the Ottoman Empire from the 16th through 20th centuries and found itself largely apart from, and ignored by, world affairs. Modern history Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French administered the area as Syria until granting it independence in 1946, as a parliamentary republic. However, the new country lacked political stability and experienced a series of military coups during its first decades. Syria united with Egypt in The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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country in focus 05
Syria : The Economy
Olive-wood in Syria near Aleppo
Syria is a middle-income country with an economy based on industries of petroleum, textiles, pharmaceuticals, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, cement, oil seed extraction, car assembly and tourism. The country produces natural resources such as petroleum, phosphates, iron, chrome and manganese ores, and hydropower among others. Additionally, Syria has about 33 per cent arable land and its agriculture products include wheat, barley, cotton, chickpeas, olives, to name a few, plus fruits and vegetables. Syrians also produce beef, mutton, eggs, poultry and other dairy products. According to the International Monetary Fund in 2008, Syria’s GDP (gross domestic product) is estimated at USD55.2 billion with a growth rate of 5.2 per cent and its per capita GDP is about USD2,592. Due to the global economic crisis, the Syrian economic growth slowed to 1.8 per cent in 2009 as oil prices and the economies of Syria’s key export partners and sources of investment were affected. Damascus has implemented modest economic reforms in the past few years, including cutting lending interest rates, opening private banks, consolidating all of the multiple exchange rates, raising prices on some subsidised items, most notably gasoline and cement, and establishing the Damascus Stock Exchange, which was set to begin operations in 2009. Furthermore, President Asad signed legislative decrees to encourage corporate ownership reform, and to allow the Central Bank to issue Treasury bills and bonds for government debt. Nevertheless, the economy remains highly controlled by the government. Long-term economic constraints include declining oil production, high unemployment, rising budget deficits, and increasing pressure on water supplies caused by heavy use in agriculture, rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and water pollution. The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
Countryfocus.indd 44
06
07
05. Baalbek - A city of almost 9,000 years old 06. Roman theatre in Bosra - Bosra is most famous for its magnificent Roman amphitheatre, which was later converted into a fortress by the Ayyubids 07. Homs Lake - The Romans’ largest reservoir, the Lake of Homs, was created in 284 AD in what is now Syria. A dam impounded approximately 90 million cubic metres of water 08. A carpet shop in the old bazaar of Damascus
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Photographers : Mira Pavlakovic (01, 02, 06, 09), M Hussain (03), Abdulhadi Najjar (04,07), Csaba Moldovan (05), Diane Jabi (08)
09 Kodo as pa 10 Kobe 11 A mo
February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two entities separated and the Syrian Arab Republic was re-established. In November 1970, Hafiz al-Asad, a member of the Socialist Ba’th Party and the minority Alawite sect, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel and the two nations held occasional peace talks over its return during the 1990s. Following the death of President alAsad, his son, Bashar al-Asad, was approved as president by popular referendum in July 2000. Syrian troops were stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role and were later withdrawn in April 2005. During the July-August 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizballah, Syria placed its military forces on alert but did not intervene directly on behalf of its ally Hizballah. In May 2007, Bashar al-Asad was elected to his second term as president. Population In 2009, it was recorded that Syria’s population was estimated at 22 million, with a growth rate of 2.37 per cent. Most people live in the Euphrates River valley and along the coastal plain, a fertile strip between the coastal mountains and the desert. The official language in Syria is Arabic and other widely spoken languages include Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic and Circassian. The major ethnic groups here are Arabs with 90 percent of the population; Kurds with nine percent and the rest are made up of Armenians, Circassians and Turkomans. Sunni Muslims are the largest religious group, with approximately 74 per cent of the population. Shia follows this with
about 12 per cent, Christianity with roughly 10 per cent, Druze with about three per cent and other religions include other Muslim sects, Jews and Yazidis. Sunni Muslims in Syria are essentially of the Shafie mazhab with some Hanafi and Hanbali while Shia Muslims are predominantly Alawites with some Ismailis and Twelvers. Culture Syria is a traditional society with a long cultural history. The Syrian taste for the traditional arts is expressed in dances such as the sword dance, the alSamah, and the Dabkeh in all their variations. What is more, Syrians have also contributed to Arabic literature and music, and have a proud tradition of oral and written poetry. Many Syrian writers played a crucial role in the Arab literary and cultural revival of the 19th century. Prominent contemporary Syrian writers include, among others, Muhammad Maghout, Adonis, Haidar Haidar and Ghada al-Samman. The Syrian cuisine is rich and varied in its ingredients that are linked to the region of Syria where a specific dish originated. The food here
mostly consists of Southern Mediterranean, Greek and Southwest Asian dishes. Some of the main dishes include kibbeh, hummus, fattoush, shawarma, mujaddara, shanklish and ba’lawa. In addition, Syrians are also well known for their cheese, such as jibbneh mashallale, a type of string cheese. Syria’s largest city, Damascus has long been one of the Arab world’s centers for cultural and artistic innovation, especially in the field of classical Arab music and has produced several pan-Arab stars. Meanwhile, the city of Aleppo is celebrated for its muwashshah, a form of Andalous sung poetry popularised by Sabri Moudallal and Sabah Fakhri. Syria also has many festivals happening throughout the year and they are celebrated with much pomp and grandeur. These festivals serve as cultural and commercial landmarks and the two most popular festivals are Bosra Festival and Silk Road Festival that take place in September. hj
*Sources: World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Wikipedia, among others. The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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islamic finance
If two worlds would meet in Luxembourg:
Islamic finance and shipping
Words by Cédric Raths
Stormy times Shipping companies are facing difficulties to get bank financing as the credit crisis has drastically reduced the appetite of conventional banks. Several ship owners have been forced to cancel or postpone their orders of new vessels and therefore to delay the upgrade of their fleets. The world’s economy could suffer from this lack of financing because it relies on the shipping industry to transport the world’s trade. Shipping remains as the most economical and effective means to carry much of the world’s goods. Shipping being crucial for our economy, the demand for shipping services will always be significantly high and the demand for financing to facilitate the construction and purchase of vessels ensures shipping financing to be prominent.
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Historically, ship finance was undertaken by banks based in Hamburg, Germany, and these banks have been hit so hard that a few of them were close to bankruptcy. Considering the massive drop in tonnage prices, the credit committees of most banks have drastically reconsidered their lending strategy. Vessels are by nature Shariah compliant investments; this is an excellent opportunity for Islamic banks to step in to fill the financing gap left by the conventional banks and to become a viable alternative. Involvement of Luxembourg in shipping In 1990, Luxembourg introduced the Maritime Act to create the maritime public registry and to create the Commission for Maritime Affairs (Commissariat aux Affaires Maritimes, CAM – the Luxembourg supervising authority). The Maritime Act defines the notion of accredited maritime company and accredited maritime manager. The CAM was the first Luxembourg administration to get the ISO 9001 certification and since 2004 it has been under the responsibility of the Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade. Luxembourg is on pole position of the largest inland registries in the world, with more than 240 registered commercial vessels reaching 1.9 million gross tonnes. Luxembourg has a favourable environment for crew members and maritime companies. Crew members on board of vessels sailing under the Luxembourg flag benefit indeed from excellent social protection and are subject to Luxembourg
Finally, profits generated by a maritime company may be repatriated to its shareholders at favourable conditions due to both internal laws and due to the large list of Double Tax Treaties (i.e., Malaysia, Qatar, UAE, Indonesia,…) signed with Luxembourg.
labour law. The labour costs, including social security contributions and taxes, are the most competitive in the EU. Profits of maritime companies operating under the Luxembourg flag and renting out vessels used in international traffic are not subject to Municipal Business Tax (6.75 per cent from 1 January 2009). A maritime company can depreciate its vessels by using a linear method or an accelerated method. It may also make provisions for largescale repair and maintenance work on its vessels fleet. As with any other Luxembourg company, it may benefit from an income tax credit on its investments whereby second-hand vessels may also qualify. It may also carry forward indefinitely losses incurred during previous accounting periods and offset them against the taxable income of the current accounting period. There is no tonnage tax in Luxembourg which represents a significant competitive advantage in case of an economic crisis; the maritime company pays taxes on its annual income
which can be much lower in difficult times and not a tax based on a dormant fleet. Under certain conditions, capital gains arising from the sale of a vessel (“asset deal”) may be rolled-over by reinvesting the sales proceeds into new qualifying assets. This allows a maritime company to renew its fleet in a tax efficient manner and on a regular basis. For tax optimisation reasons, two layers of Luxembourg companies are often used. In this scheme, instead of selling the underlying vessel, the top holding company (“HoldCo”) sells its subsidiary (“VesselCo”) which owns the vessel. By such a “share deal”, capital gains realised on the disposal of the shares of VesselCo may be fully exempted in Luxembourg. Finally, profits generated by a maritime company may be repatriated to its shareholders at favourable conditions due to both internal laws and due to the large list of Double Tax Treaties (i.e., Malaysia, Qatar, UAE, Indonesia,…) signed with Luxembourg. Involvement of Luxembourg in Islamic finance Despite being a non-Muslim country, Luxembourg has a long experience in Islamic finance. First steps were already undertaken well before the maritime register initiative. In 1978, Luxembourg was the first western country that hosted an Islamic finance institution. In 1983, the first Shariah compliant insurance company in Europe was established in Luxembourg and in 2002 Luxembourg was the first European stock exchange to list a Sukuk. In 2009, the Luxembourg The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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islamic finance
Central Bank became the first non-Muslim organisation member of the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB). On January 2010, the Luxembourg Tax Authorities released a circular clarifying the tax treatment applicable to instruments of Islamic finance.
The instruments described were:
• Murabaha (costplus financing) • Musharaka (partnership) • Mudaraba (profit sharing between the contributor – the “rabb-ul-mal” – and the entrepreneur – the “mudarib”) • Ijara (operating lease) • Ijara-wa-iqtina (finance lease) • Istisna (production financing for future delivery) • Sukuk (bond issue)
The Luxembourg Tax Authorities defined the four instruments mainly used to finance shipping activities as follows:
• Murabaha (cost-plus financing): a sale-based transaction whereby an investor acquires an asset (i.e. a vessel) for further resale to a client at a cost-plus profit. This is a financing arrangement where the cost-plus profit margin of the investor is determined in advance and may apply to all types of assets. • Ijara (operating lease): leasing agreement by which the party contributing the capital The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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(generally a bank) acquires an asset (i.e. a vessel) for its client and places it at his disposal in return for a rental payment for a fixed period. The bank owns the asset and transfers the usufruct to its client. • Ijara-wa-Iqtina (finance lease): similar mechanism, where the client has the possibility of buying the asset at the end of the contract. • Istina (production financing for future delivery): method of financing the production of a good (i.e. building of a vessel) that allows advance payment for a future delivery, or deferred payment for a future delivery. On June, 2010, the Luxembourg VAT (Value Added Tax) administration released a circular clarifying the treatment of Murabaha purchases and Ijara leases for Luxembourg VAT and registration duty purposes. The circular confirmed that Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) incorporated in Luxembourg and created under Murabaha or Ijara agreements should qualify as taxpayers for VAT purposes. Islamic finance regatta As per Professor N. Khalid from the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA), “in the last two decades or so, Shariah financing has grown in prominence in facilitating the growth in the shipping sector. Over the years, several high profile ship financing
deals have been transacted using Shariah principles. They involved marquee names both on the lending/ arranging side and the borrowing side. The increasing popularity of Shariah financing in ship financing stands testimony to its viability as a worthy, if not more attractive, alternative to its conventional counterpart. The framework of Islamic banking, financing, insurance, tax and other finance-related areas have been strengthened to such an extent where Shariah financing has emerged as a lucrative industry on its own with its own high financing, accounting and ethical standards which are highly regarded even by conventional financing practitioners. Shariah financing has already developed a decent track record for itself as an alternative means of raising financing in shipping. While much of the financing raised in shipping is still interest-based, there is huge potential for Shariah financing, with all its attractions and strengths, to grab a bigger slice of the ship financing pie. As more Shariah financing deals are successfully transacted in shipping, there will be growing confidence among ship-owners and operators of the viability of ‘going Islamic’. Islamic bankers and financial dealmakers have proved to be skilful and adept at developing attractive financial structures and engineering innovative solutions in meeting the funding needs of their clients in the shipping markets. Shariah financing, which features highly transparent, no-surprises, pre-agreed financing structures and costs and known risks offers the
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The emergence of innovative and attractive financing structures based on Shariah principles in shipping in recent years augurs well for its continued contribution to the growth of global shipping and hence global trade and economy.
opposite end of its conventional counterpart. The emergence of innovative and attractive financing structures based on Shariah principles in shipping in recent years augurs well for its continued contribution to the growth of global shipping and hence global trade and economy. When applied and structured judiciously and creatively, Shariah financing can no doubt stand “shoulder to shoulder, if not taller, than conventional financing in raising adequate and competitive financing in shipping.” Ijara’s structure for shipping The ship owner selects the vessel which will meet his needs. The Islamic bank sets up an accredited maritime company in Luxembourg which buys a vessel, then leases it to its customer, the ship owner. The accredited maritime company (lessor) applies for a bareboat chartered out registration of the vessel in Luxembourg and the customer (lessee) applies for a bareboat chartered in registration in the country of his choice. The lessor is the sole owner of the vessel (he retains the legal title on the vessel) until the end of the lease, the customer makes a series of lease payments until the end of the term of the Ijara agreement and the customer can eventually exercise an option to buy the vessel (in case of an Ijara-wa-Iqtina). Under certain conditions, the lessor benefits from the favourable Luxembourg tax framework reserved to the accredited maritime companies and its profits can be repatriated via the Islamic bank at competitive conditions. In practice, an accredited maritime company is set up per vessel acquired. The structure could be developed further by adding a Luxembourg Fund vehicle on the top in order to hold all accredited maritime companies. The Islamic bank would then be able to distribute Fund units to its clients and benefits from Luxembourg’s confirmed reputation and expertise in the Funds industry. As such, Luxembourg is where nobody expected it to be, one of the largest inland maritime registries and one of the largest nonMuslim Islamic finance hubs in the world.
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About the Author: Cédric Raths is the Director of Pandomus, member of Luxembourg maritime cluster.
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islamic finance update Compiled by Zaahira Muhammad
AFFIN BANK TO ACQUIRE INDONESIAN BANK FOR RM138 MILLION Affin Bank Bhd announced its acquisition of an Indonesian bank, PT Bank Ina Perdana, at an estimated price tag of RM138 million. To be funded internally, the acquisition is the first for Affin Bank in venturing out of the Malaysian borders, the bank said in a statement. “We are encouraged with the growth potential in Indonesia, especially with PT Bank Ina Perdana’s niche positioning as a retail bank in the small and medium enterprise sector. This acquisition fits in nicely with Affin Bank’s long-term plan to further grow its business and increase its shareholders’ value,” said Affin Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Zulkiflee Abbas Abdul Hamid. The synchronisation between Affin Bank and PT Bank Ina Perdana will benefit both banks’ clientele and further propel business to the next level, he added. With the acquisition and subsequent subscription of shares, Affin Bank will have a direct majority shareholding of 80 per cent in PT Bank Ina Perdana, which has 22 branches. The estimated acquisition price will translate into an average price-to-book ratio of 1.69 times. According to Zulkiflee, the acquisition is a step forward for Affin Bank and Affin Islamic. “The potential for Islamic banking in Indonesia is vast and Affin Islamic has the capabilities and expertise to ensure growth and development of Shariah banking as we move regionally,” he said. |SOURCE: BERNAMA, 4 AUGUST 2010
MALDIVES ISSUES FIRST ISLAMIC BANK LICENSE Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) issued license to Maldives Islamic Bank Private Limited (MIB) to set up the country’s first Islamic bank. According to the authority’s website, “MMA issued a banking licence to the ‘Maldives Islamic Bank Pvt. Ltd.’ to conduct Islamic banking business in the Maldives, with effect from 2 August 2010.” An MMA official told Haveeru that an Islamic bank could be The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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An MMA official told Haveeru that an Islamic bank could be established under the current commercial banks regulations. “These regulations are suitable for any kind of bank. But we are drafting specific regulations for Islamic banks before the first establishment,”
established under the current commercial banks regulations. “These regulations are suitable for any kind of bank. But we are drafting specific regulations for Islamic banks before the first establishment,” he said. MIB Managing Director, Harish Haaroon, said the company would set up the bank by the end of 2011. “We hope that the bank will be established within the next six months according to MMA regulations,” he said. A press release issued by the company read that the bank was formulated on 1 April by the government in collaboration with Islamic Corporation for the Development of Private Sector (ICD). While the government and ICD signed the agreement on 4 October 2009, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was reached on 12 April 2007. The government also signed agreements with Dubai International Finance Centre’s Ridge Solutions International Holdings on 15 October and Dubai’s Noor Islamic Bank on 7 July 2008. |SOURCE: HAVEERU ONLINE, 4 AUGUST 2010
HSBC EYES 150,000 CUSTOMERS FOR NEW PLANS HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd aims to sign up at least 150,000 customers for its new HSBC Advance and HSBC Amanah Advance global proposition plans within twelve months after the launch. Its Personal Financial Services General Manager, Lim Eng Seong, said both plans aimed to support the midmarket customers aged between 25-45 years old to help them take control of their financial independence. “It will provide customers with an integrated financial services platform that will also introduce them to
relationship-based banking. It will put the customers in control of their banking to help them build a secure financial foundation and gain the confidence to explore their financial horizons,” he said at the launch of the new plans. Lim said HSBC Advance would offer an all-in-one integrated account covering deposits, investments, takaful protection plans and credit cards. “It also brings a range of international services to mid-market customers for the first time,” he said. |SOURCE: BERNAMA, 13 AUGUST 2010
ETIQA PROFIT UP ON STRONG BUSINESS CHANNELS Etiqa Takaful Bhd’s pre-tax profit increased by 18 per cent to RM107 million in the financial year ended 30 June (FY10) from RM90 million in FY09. This was supported by strong performance across all business channels and innovations in business operations and processes. The company recorded revenue of RM2.37 billion for FY10, making it the first takaful operator to surpass the RM2 billion mark. Its revenue increased by 32 per cent compared with the last financial year. Etiqa said in a statement its gross contribution for family business recorded a growth of 30 per cent while general business saw an increase of 40 per cent. It commands 44 per cent of Malaysia’s takaful market as at March in a field of eight operators. Chief Executive Officer, Shahril Azuar Jimin, said: “Since the Etiqa brand was launched 2½ years ago, we have been experiencing tremendous growth year after year. Surpassing the RM2 billion mark in revenue just reaffirms Etiqa’s leadership and pole position in the takaful market and industry.” |SOURCE: THE STAR ONLINE, 14 AUGUST 2010
DUBAI ISLAMIC BANK PROFITS FALL 33 PERCENT IN Q2 Dubai Islamic Bank posted a net profit of 301 million dirhams (USD81.9 million) for the second quarter of 2010, down 33 per cent from the same period last year, a statement said. DIB, the largest Islamic lender in the United Arab Emirates, had netted 450 million dirhams (USD122.5 million) in the second quarter of 2009. “Despite conservative financing and provisioning policy, the retail and corporate banking division has registered positive growth,” the bank’s Chairman, Mohammed Ibrahim al-Shaibani, said in the statement posted on the Dubai Financial Market’s website. DIB’s net profits for the first half of 2010 were 502 million dirhams (USD136.6 million), down from 820 million dirhams (USD223.2) for the same period in 2009, according to the statement. Its total assets stood at 83.8 billion dirhams (USD22.8 billion) as of 30 June 2010, down from 87.8 billion dirhams (USD23.9 billion) in 2009. DIB was established in 1975. It is the oldest Islamic bank in the UAE. |SOURCE: AFP, 15 AUGUST 2010
ETIQA ON TRACK TO MEET TARGETS Etiqa Insurance & Takaful is on track to be the leading insurance and takaful organisation in the country by the end of this year after surpassing the RM4.5 billion mark in top line premiums with a profit before tax of RM422 million for its 2009/2010 financial year. According to Etiqa’s Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Aminuddin Md Desa, the company has done very well this financial year. “The last financial year was a difficult year for all of us. However, we bounced back this year and have shown that there is still untapped potential in the insurance and takaful market,” he said in a statement. As a multi-channel organisation that covers both life/ family and general insurance and takaful, he said Etiqa had something for everyone and was easily accessible. “I am confident that we are well on our way to
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The Halal Journal welcomes all queries, comments, suggestions and criticisms. Email us at info@halaljournal.com or fax your letters to +603 6203 4072.
becoming the leading insurance and takaful organisation by the end of this year. Etiqa has a multitude of channels and based on the achievements so far, each channel is progressing at a pace that will position us as the leading organisation in this market,” he added.
a significantly better traction where working capital loans grew 20.3 per cent, reflecting the improving trade conditions and export markets worldwide. She said due to this, working capital growth accounted for 48 per cent of bank wide loan growth.
|SOURCE: THE STAR ONLINE,
19 AUGUST 2010
|SOURCE: THE STAR ONLINE,
28 AUGUST 2010
HONG LEONG BANK’S NET PROFIT JUMPS 51 PER CENT Hong Leong Bank’s net profit jumped 51.03 per cent to RM301.10 million for the fourth quarter ended 30 June 2010, compared to a year ago. This was due to higher net interest income, higher share of profit from associate Bank of Chengdu and lower allowance for losses on loans, advances and financing. Revenue was 4.90 per cent higher at RM517.80 million compared to the same quarter a year ago. The country’s fourth largest lender by assets, however, saw lower net income from Islamic banking business, lower non interest income, higher other operating expenses and higher taxation expense. Hong Leong Bank’s Group Managing Director cum Chief Executive, Yvonne Chia, said this was the bank’s best performing quarter for the last 20 quarters in terms of net profit. “It continues our track record of unbroken profitability as a commercial bank since commencing our business transformation in 2005, which has delivered RM3.8 billion in total net profit to shareholders in the last five financial years,” she said in a press release. Chia said, following a period of steadier, consolidated growth following the fallout from the global financial crisis, the bank has returned “to a stronger growth momentum. In the second half (H2) of financial year 2010 (January to June 2010), loan growth accelerated to post a 6.5 per cent growth against December 2009, or 3.8 times faster than the H1. Gross loans ended 8.3 per cent higher for FY10,” she added. Chia said loans growth has been balanced with business banking seeing
IRANIAN MINISTER: ISLAMIC BANKS, SAFE FROM CRISES Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the 21st Conference on the Islamic Banking System in Tehran, Hosseini said the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has not also been hurt by the world economic crisis. The Islamic Republic of Iran is the only country managing its banks under the usury-free banking system’s regulations, the Iranian Minister said. The two-day 21st Conference on the Islamic Banking System started in the capital city of Tehran with participation of top Iranian officials. |SOURCE: AHLUL BAYT NEWS AGENCY, 29 AUGUST 2010
QATAR HAS INVESTED €1.1BN IN FRANCE Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the 21st Conference on the Islamic Banking System in Tehran, Hosseini said the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has not also been hurt by the world economic crisis. The Islamic Republic of Iran is the only country managing its banks under the usury-free banking system’s regulations, the Iranian Minister said. The two-day 21st Conference on the Islamic Banking System started in the capital city of Tehran with participation of top Iranian officials. Qatar has huge investments in France, with the figure estimated at a staggering €1.1 billion, Al Sharq has reported, quoting French officials. Some 14 per cent of France’s total foreign investment is concentrated in the Middle East, with Qatar being one of the key destinations where several French giants are based. The assets in France of the state-backed Barwa Real Estate
islamic finance update
India says NO to Islamic Banking . The Union Government informed the Kerala High Court that it was not legally feasible for banks in India or its branches abroad to undertake Islamic banking activities. In a counter affidavit, M M Dawla, Under Secretary in the Ministry of Finance informed the court that this had been the stand of the Union Government even while giving replies to questions in Parliament as well as in response to various VIP correspondences on the subject.
Company alone are estimated at a whopping €300 million. A senior official from the French Agency for Foreign Investment in the Middle East told reporters here recently that Islamic banking was rapidly increasing in France. It grew by an incredible 29 per cent last year whereas conventionally banking grew barely 6.8 per cent. The official pointed out that the assets of Islamic banks worldwide were expected to soar to a record USD1 trillion by the year-end. He described Qatar as one of the pioneers in Islamic banking and said a Memorandum of Understanding is to be linked with Doha to facilitate Qatari investment in Islamic banking in France. According to the official, legalities are being looked into as the rate of tax on returns on Qatari investment in France is yet to be decided. He said the necessary information was being provided to Qatari businessmen who are keen to invest in France. Transport and energy are the two major sectors in which Qatar is actively investing in France, said the official. |SOURCE: THE PENINSULA, 2 SEPTEMBER 2010
UK ISLAMIC MORTGAGES SET FOR GROWTH AFTER QATARI INVESTMENT Shareholders of Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB or the “Bank”, www. islamic-bank.com) approved a £20 million capital injection from founding shareholder Qatar International Islamic Bank (QIIB, www.qiib.com.qa). The additional capital will allow IBB to realise product development plans including the growth of
its Islamic mortgage alternative, the Home Purchase Plan. IBB immediately released details of two new products to be launched as a result of the capital injection. Coinciding with the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan, IBB will today launch a 3.99 per cent fixed rental* rate product until January 2012 and a variable rental* rate product at 4.99 per cent. Established in 2004, IBB is the UK’s only stand-alone, Shariahcompliant retail bank. With an established retail brand in the UK banking sector, the additional capital enables IBB to reinforce its position as the pioneer of Shariah-compliant banking. In the face of challenging conditions for the British economy, the Bank has grown its deposits, assets and customers every year since its launch in September 2004. The Bank reported customer deposits of over £186 million, customer financing at £46 million and nearly 50,000 customers in its 2009 financial statements. Commenting on the investment, Sultan Choudhury, Commercial Director, IBB, said, “IBB already offers the largest range of Shariah-compliant products and services in the UK. With a fresh injection of capital we are well placed to grow the business through our Home Purchase Plan products. The products will offer peace of mind for customers, both financially and spiritually, which is especially important in the holy month of Ramadhan.” |SOURCE: AL BAWABA, 18 AUGUST 2010
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November+December 2010
People around the world have, no doubt, found different things that inspire change in their lives. In this world today, with its day-to-day survival challenges, many are actually looking for change or spiritual and physical balance in things they do, but may not have yet found anything inspiring. What does it take to change? For Sana Rizvi, it was her determination and dream of travelling the world that changed her life; and she shares her tale and photos in the pages to follow. For Zaahira Muhammad, a new hijabi, she shares some useful finds that will inspire women to be a fashionable yet modest hijabi, or even encourage those thinking about wearing the hijab.
Inspiring Change Living.indd 53
Experience of Sana Rizvi & Zaahira Muhammad
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cover feature |
Inspiring Change
01
From Board rooms to Back roads
Words and photos by Sana Rizvi
One girls’ journey of new choices and discoveries Who am I?
I am a traveller. When people ask me what I do for a living, I say “live”. Yes, I get called weird! Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, once said that we are what we choose and last year I finally chose to follow my dream to travel. I had always wanted to travel the world extensively but somewhere in the middle of doing things that I thought were expected of me by my culture and society I forgot about what it is that I truly wanted to do. After four long years of working, I realised that the corporate world was not for me and decided to venture on the career path less travelled – at least for a single Indian Muslim girl. I started to question my accomplishments in understanding who I was as a person and where I would fit in this world that was alien to me. I was tired of being that person who kept wishing that a change would The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
Living.indd 54
Sana in New York City
come about in one’s life. I had to be the change that I wished to see. I did not want to make excuses for myself anymore. I come from a middleclass Indian family. I had no special upbringing and my parents don’t have money flowing out of their ears. I am extremely fortunate that my family has always supported and stood by my decisions and choices. When I finished high school, I knew I wanted to go to college in the United States, so I got a scholarship for myself and graduated with honours in economics and
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02
business administration. After college, I knew I wanted to work in New York City (NYC), so I moved there all by myself and found a job. And then in late 2009, I made the choice to quit my full time job in New York as an event marketer and backpack around the world for as long as I could. At the beginning of 2010, I left on a solo six-month backpacking journey across India and South East Asia. I am constantly being told how brave and lucky I am. But it really isn’t all about bravery or has anything to do with luck. It just boils down to what you are willing to give up, to experience an unconventional and inspiration-filled life and how open you are to change.
Why Travel? 03
I love travelling because it gives me the freedom to just be. It gives me the chance to see the world we live in for all its beauty and simplicity. I travel to be able to learn and grow. Travel makes me feel alive and truly appreciate how lucky I am. I travel to experience new things every second. The beauty of travel for me is that it is like a dance – free and fluid. When you travel, each day is so different from the previous ones. There is no routine, no structure. I love the excitement of the unknown when travelling. I travel to meet other people; people who live rich and full lives which have no bearing on what they own (in most cases very little). Travelling challenges me to think really hard and this is exciting. I travel because I wanted to change my life and it has changed. I live, breathe and smile more freely than ever before. I feel most at home now with a backpack on my back and no real destination; and this works well for me.
Lessons Learned
On the road, I have learnt that there are no yesterdays or tomorrows; there is only living in the now and that is beautiful. Before, I had forgotten how to live in the present. I have understood through The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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Inspiring Change
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04 Grandfather with grandson, Pushkar, India 05 Active volcano, Mt Bromo, Java, Indonesia Next page: 06 Modern through old, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 07 Sisters, Northern Laos Previous page: 01 Pyramids of Giza, Egypt 02 Girl having lunch, Chau Doc, Vietnam 03 Cinque Terra Village, Italy
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travelling that in this modern day and age, we have replaced every challenge with a shortcut which makes life easy but at the same time so boring and depressing. I do not want to replace challenges anymore but face them and live more in touch with this earth. I take time nowadays to notice and appreciate things that are happening around me and don’t rush through my days. I have learnt more about who I am in the past months than I have ever had time to understand before. Travelling is for me a never ending lesson about the world we live in, and to be reminded of the next world – the hereafter. One of the most important lessons that I have learnt is that happiness does not come from how much money you have in your pocket or what you own; it comes from little acts of kindness and being free to do what you choose to do. I have realised through travel that we may all be very different people from very different backgrounds yet we all want the same things in life, and if we really try to understand and respect each other, we can
be friends regardless of belief, culture, and skin colour. The endless lessons I learn through travelling, keeps me going. I cannot think of a single negative thing to say about travelling.
What’s Next?
I go back to backpacking in November without any real destination but the starting point is India. Even though I travel super cheap (I was on a USD10/ day budget – YES!), one of my main concerns is how to support myself once I am on the road. At the moment, I don’t want to go back to full time work. So I’ve had to think of making other things work for me. I currently am working on a three-month gig at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival which helps me save for my next travel. But ideally, I would prefer to find ways to support myself without having to put travel on hold. I am looking for sponsors and publishing companies who may be interested in my travel stories and photo essays (so any recommendations will be a great help). I have also become very
interested in photography and hope to hone my skills more while on the road, and sell some of my work in the near future. You can check out my photos and my travel tales on my blog, http://nomadbuzz.tumblr.com/archive. I truly wish to inspire more young people especially girls from cultures similar to mine to do what their heart really desires. Life is too short to not make choices that make us truly happy and when you make these choices the universe somehow comes together to make things work for you. I had no one from a similar background to tell me it was going to be OK once I quit my job and decided to do something different. I wish to be that person for someone who is planning to bring a change in their life. Friends are always saying to me “Oh, I wish I could do what you are doing” and I always say “Yes you can, but it’s all about choice”. If you choose not to spend endless amount of money on things you don’t need, you can save enough to travel and do what it is you truly want to. We, the youth of today are very blessed to be able to live differently than those from previous generations. We can make choices to live outside the box of norm if we choose to do so. We have used the whole tradition/ culture/ society excuse to the maximum. It is now up to you to make that change in your life. No one else will do it for you. As Mark Twain said, “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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Inspiring Change
From fashionista to modest yet fabulous hijabi
Words by Zaahira Muhammad
– Useful finds for new hijabis
series of questions ran through my mind when I started planning to wear
A
the hijab – questions like “What would I wear with the hijab?”, “What would I look like wearing the hijab?”, “Will I look ugly?” or “Will it be difficult to wear the hijab and choosing the right style for me?” Despite facing challenges and having mixed feelings during this transition, I always reminded myself that at the end of the day, the importance of covering aurah is not just a symbol of modesty but also putting yourself in a positive state of mind when doing so. Therefore, putting on the hijab should not be a burden to you. As a writer who writes about hijab bans, burka bans and Halal, not wearing the hijab made me feel like I was contradicting myself, not practicing what I preached – this was one of the reasons I decided to
Muhajabah.com article titled “Tips for Beginning to Wear Hijab”. This article helped me in the earlier stage of my transition, where it helped me prepare myself mentally for what’s to come and helped me focus on the real reasons I decided to cover up. Promod’s silk scarves are on the top of my Must-Have list. These scarves are not only The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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cover up; my work opened my eyes and heart to the Shariah and the realities of the teachings of Islam. Islam encourages its ummah to cover their aurah, so after months of reflecting, I finally did it. As a new hijabi, I find that it is quite challenging to find my very own unique style of wearing the hijab, because I believe that one can still be fashionable even when moderately dressed. During the first month, I struggled to find styles and materials that I find comfortable, stylish and suitable for my face. I looked everywhere for tips, comfortable hijabs and scarves to help me with my struggles. Here’s what I found throughout my transition – which were inspiring and extremely useful for a new hijabi like me and could help hijabis like you.
soft to the touch; they’re also oh-so-comfy to wear! The designs are also contemporary and unique. Scarves made out of different materials are also available, just as beautiful as the silk ones. To view scarves online, log on to www.promod. com.eu or visit a Promod outlet
near you. Scarves retail between EUR6.95 to 16.95 a pop. Welovehijab.com is a blog that provides articles on fashion, beauty and most importantly, hijab. This blog also provides hijab styles as well as how to wear them. For
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me, this blog helped me a lot in terms of ideas on how to wear different styles and also features different looks that helps me put together stylish outfits. Aquila Asia’s July/Aug ’10 Hijab Styling Guide. Titled “Shawl We?”, Aquila Asia’s styling guide provides styling tips which featured five different looks suited to different occasions. I absolutely love the featured Casual Hijabi style.
Fashion bloggers Hanna Faridl and Fifi Alvianto writes an interesting fashion blog, Hijabscarf.blogspot.com. This blog gives good tips on how to dress fashionably, yet modestly. It helps me put together trendy looks for different occasions from work to casual to formal functions right down to summer holidays!
Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman (also known as Jalan T.A.R) located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is known for its various selections of textile shops and stalls. For hijabis, this shopping strip is an awesome place to buy scarves, hijabs, kurtas (traditional loose fitting clothing worn by both men and women in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) at bargain prices. During my last trip there, I bought myself three beautiful threetoned scarves for only RM8 a piece! I also found a stall that sold RM5 kurtas! Naturally, I had to get my hands on a few, so I bought two. I highly recommend all hijabis to head over to Jalan T.A.R for a great shopping experience like I did.
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tourism
leisure
food
Asian Connection IN MELBOURNE:
Chillipadi Grill House
Words & Photos by Ruzaimi Sany Zainuddin
Address: CE G02 Star Circus, Harbour Town, Docklands, Victoria 3008, Australia Tel: +61 (0) 3 9670 2288 Fax: +61 (0) 3 9670 2299 Website: www.chillipadi.com.au E-mail: chilli@chillipadi.com.au Opening Hours: Daily (except Fridays): 11.30am - 7.00pm, Fridays: 11.30am - 8.00pm **Note: Food is Halal certified, but alcohol is served in the restaurants. How to get here: The free City Circle Tram stops right outside Harbour Town Shopping Centre. So if you are situated in Melbourne CBD, jump on board the free City Circle Tram to Harbour Town. Or you can take the free tourist shuttle bus or the number 86 or 70 tram.
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Food and culinary ideas from other cultures have for so many years been introduced to different cuisines resulting in new dishes bursting with flavours and colours. This happens practically everywhere around the world; and has been a very active practice in Australia particularly in the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne, because people from many different races and cultures live together here. The cultural diversity is also reflected in the fact that the city offer restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world, especially Asian, but with a fusion of local tastes. After all, Melbourne is home to the second largest Asian population in Australia. Capitalising on this profound fact, Chillipadi restaurants offer diverse Asian dining experiences, with an extensive variety of Asian cuisines, including noodles, rice and hawker-style dishes from India and Japan, as well as South East Asian countries (mainly from (Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia) to name a few. Chillipadi Grill House or Chillipadi Waterfront City is located at Harbour Town Shopping Centre – Melbourne’s latest brand direct outlet shopping centre in the Docklands district. The outlet is more of a casual café-
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style joint where patrons order at the counter and wait at their chosen table for their meal to arrive. Simple but yet modern distinctive décor with the option of indoor or outdoor seating, it is an ideal venue for a quick yet powerful meal after an all-day shopping extravaganza. The menu is firmly centred on food which includes meat, seafood and vegetables. First timers dining here will not have to worry about what to order as the waitpersons know the menu well. Those with a predilection for rice ought to try the selection available, which are virtually ‘a meal unto itself ’ – Nasi Massala (rice with spicy massala chicken) always in their best sellers list, while their version of Pad Thai (spicy rice noodles with roasted peanuts and eggs) is always a hit among patrons. Away from the Docklands area, there are two other Chillipadi outlets in Melbourne’s busy Central Business District (CBD) that are more popular among diners – in Menzies Alley Melbourne Central and another on Collins Street. The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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Jaja Yusof: The artist who paints cats
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Jaja Yusof, the artist who paints cats is back with her first solo exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to be hosted by Metro Fine Art, this November, titled “Meowland”. The exhibition will feature her new artworks with fresh ideas that are cheerful with vibrant and happy colours. Her new artworks are inspired by her greatest passions on cats and the bonding between humans, positive
feelings and animals. They are also the expression of feelings about the relationship between mother and child which is so pure and beautiful. “Meowland” also views the life of the city cat through Jaja’s imagination. An artist who hates painting when feeling unhappy, you will see none of Jaja’s paintings showing sad, miserable cats. She believes that a painting is therapeutic and
01 The Red Angel | Acrylic on canvas | 2010
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02 Chilling | acrylic on canvas | 2010 03 Our Love | Acrylic on paper | 2010 04 The Road To Meowland | Acrylic on canvas | 2010 05 Swimming In My Dream | Acrylic on canvas | 2009
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people should enjoy looking at a painting as a way to calm their emotions. Since her last exhibition in 2009, the comeback would be expected by fans of art. For those who are not familiar with Jaja, she is the daughter of Malaysian Naïve Art Master, Yusof Gajah, and was born on 14 September 1983, in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. She has been painting since the young age of 14, and has showcased her works at various exhibitions since 1999. Her paintings feature chiefly a smiling cat in various settings – being hugged or swimming underwater – unmistakably an ode to instinct and love as symbolised by her affection and identification with cats. Encouragement from her father deepened her desire to become a full-time artist and is now following his footsteps in becoming a “Naïve Artist”. She graduated in psychology and she expresses her feelings as a mind therapy, which explains another trait of her works – cheerful with vibrant and happy colours.
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Do visit “Meowland” from 6-20 November 2010 at Metro Fine Art, Ground Floor, Legend Hotel, 100, Jalan Putra, 50350 Kuala Lumpur, to see her animated and colourful works. Her exhibition opens from 11.30am – 5pm (MonFri), 11am – 4pm (Sat), but will be closed on Sundays and public holidays. For more information about “Meowland”, visit www.metro3gallery.com. The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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FACE What an autobiography is to the literacy world, a self-portrait is to the arts. This ancient form of self exploration offer artists throughout time the gift of being immortal. Since the invention of the mirror, many artists have opportune themselves in turning themselves as the subject, mentally and/ or physically. Hence, what the artist sees and/ or thinks, fundamentally documents the human fragility and condition. The self-portrait can be painted, sculpted, drawn or photographed. In paintings, artists chronicle their livelihood in a myriad of forms. The ‘personal portrait’ where the artist is usually depicted alone, acts as a psychological and moral outlet. The ‘signature’ portrait finds the artist stamp a representation of him or herself in an artwork. ‘Fantasy’ portraits reveal an artist’s personality or state of mind through the introduction of other elements like the The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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A Group Show in the heart of Kuala Lumpur staging of a scene. The scene can be as erratic as placing him or herself as a religious hero or historical figure or placing themselves in a group brought together by a theme. However, group portraits can also feature real persons and family. The scene can also portray the artist’s personal views on religion and talent, social status and personal wealth. The self-portrait as a narrative introduces the idea of using abstractness like patterns, shapes and colors to represent the artist. It is also vital to note that how media is applied translates to an artist’s emotion range at time of working. Self-portraits exist to tell a personal story or to manipulate. Either way, they both represent the quintessential character of the artist. The participating artists are Stephen Menon, Jeganathan Ramachandran, Dr Chanthiran, C.K. Koh, Raja Shahriman, Samjis Mat Jan, Gan Chee
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01 Eye To Eye | Stephen Menon | Inkwash on paper | 42 x 29.7cm | 2010 02 Saved By Noah | Stephen Menon | Inkwash on paper | 42 x 29.7cm | 2010 03 Ultra Flat Face | C.K. Koh | Oil on canvas | 122 x 92cm | 2010
Lee, Khalid Ibrahim, Suddin Lappo, Suk Tai, Mat Ali, Sivarajah, Fuad Osman, Tew Nai Thong, Syam Asmawi, Puah, J. Anu, Zulkifli Tahla, Ismadi, Haslin. FACE will be held from 29 November - 11 December 2010 at Metro Fine Art, Ground Floor, Legend Hotel, 100, Jalan Putra, 50350 Kuala Lumpur. Open from 11.30am – 5pm (Mon-Fri), 11am – 4pm (Sat), closed on Sundays and public holidays. For more information, visit metro3gallery. com or contact Kim at +603 4042 2224.
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art & literature
Stuff Iqra’a Al Quran Ipod Have you held off from buying a digital Quran? If you have, this is the time to buy one. Iqra’a Al Quran Ipod has all the most important and valuable Islamic information. It features great functions which includes high quality recitation of the Holy Quran, featuring translations in 10 different languages (Arabic, English, French, Turkish, Urdu, Farsi, Malay, Spanish, German and Dutch); Collection of Hadith (Riyadh As-Saliheen, Hadith Kudsiya) about Islamic manner and behaviour with auto-scroll in Arabic and English text; Tafseer Al Jalalalain with auto-scroll in Arabic and English text; Qibla direction indicator; Dua’a recitations in Arabic; Holy Names (Asma ul Husna); and Asbab Al-Nuzul with auto-scroll in Arabic text. The cool thing is that all the contents are certified by Al Azhar Al Sharif so users will not have to worry about the contents being unreliable. At RM299.00, you can buy it online at www.mphonline.com. Specifications: Display: TFT Full Colour LCD Languages: Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Farsi, Turkish, Malay, Spanish, Germany, Dutch Sound: Internal speaker Power supply: Internal Lithium Polymer Rechargeable battery Size: (88 × 48 × 10) mm Weight: 34g Earphone: 5mW (Frequency: 20Hz - 20KHz) Recitations by: * Shaikh Abdul Rahman Al Sudais & Shaikh Saoud Al Shuraim * Shaikh Saad Al Ghamidi * Shaikh Ali Abdul Rahman Al Hudhaify * Mahmoud Khalil El Hosary * Shaikh Maher Al Mueqly * Shaikh Abd El Basiet Abd El Samad
cravings, acne, eczema, fungal infections, inflammatory and even autism. Many things in our daily lives may cause this imbalance such as chlorine, fluoride, pesticides and herbicides (used in most foods we consume), drugs and birth control pills, stress, alcohol and of course antibiotics. Other sources are exhaust fumes, toxins from various pollutants pumped into the air, chemicals for cleaning the house and kitchen, and many of the chemicals in the toiletries and cosmetics we use daily . Organic 2012 Blend, a product of NuFerm Australia, is a blend of 20 non-gluten wholefoods broken down by 12 strains of probiotics that helps promote good general health by keeping healthy gut bacteria at a balance. It contains organic Spirulina, linseed, lentils, fermented soy, chick peas, Bio Dynamic Rice, Mung beans, Adzuki bean, Dunaliella salina, dried sweet potato, Quinoa, Alfalfa seed, ginger, dried beetroot, dried cabbage, agave, molasses, Chia seeds, Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and Sunflower seeds. This organic
photography + photojournalism
goodstuff
supplement is certified organic with a reading of zero gluten in a readily absorbable format and does not contain manmade vitamins, synthetic minerals, chemicals, preservatives, fillers, binders or extracts. Organic 2012 Blend comes in 150g pots at AUD49.95 per pot. For further information, log on to www.nuferm.com.au.
Ayam Dindings Chicken Satay Next time, when you are craving for satay, just get a pack of Ayam Dindings Chicken Satay. You can enjoy it anytime and anywhere because it is handy and easy to prepare. The chicken satay and the satay sauce are conveniently packed and can be reheated using the microwave oven or conventional oven. The juicy chicken meat is deliciously balanced with the appetite-whetting sweet and spicy satay sauce of fresh groundnuts, fresh spices and chilli paste. Each pack has 15 sticks and the introductory price is RM9.90. From mid-September this year, this product is available at Mydin Hyper Market (Mydin USJ, Putrajaya, Kota Serriemas, Melaka Bazaar, Melaka Hyper, Kubang Kerian, Kuala Terengganu). Indulge in Ayam Dindings Chicken Satay for your ultimate palate excitement! For further information on Ayam Dindings Chicken Satay and its other range of quality products, log on to www.mfm.com.my.
Organic 2012 Blend There have been many published reports about bacteria playing a significant role in the arrest of many variable illnesses, and in most cases, it is the lack of certain strains of bacteria that leads to imbalance in one’s body. Commercial signs of a bacterial imbalance are digestive problems with constipation and diarrhoea, food allergies and sensitivities, sugar and carbohydrate The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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Navigating their way Chop Shop
is the story of Alejandro (Alejandro Polanco), a twelve-year-old Latino street orphan in Willet’s Point, also known as the “Iron Triangle,” a vibrant, sprawling, industrial neighbourhood teeming with auto-body repair shops, scrap yards, and garbage dumps on the outskirts of Queens, New York. Alejandro, like many young boys in the area, works at one of the many auto-body repair shops that line the street. Alejandro spends his days in an adult world, running errands, convincing customers to come to his boss’s garage instead of a competitor’s, and learning how to paint and repair cars. Although conditions are harsh, his life is sprinkled with
Film Title: Chop Shop Genre: Drama Produced by: Big Beach Films, Muskat Filmed Properties and Noruz Films Director/ Co-Writer: Ramin Bahrani Co-Writer: Bahareh Azimi Director of Photography: Michael Simmonds Producer: Lisa Muskat, Marc Turtletaub, and Jeb Brody Executive Producer: Peter Saraf Co-Producers: Pradip Ghosh and Bedford Tate Bentley III Assistant Director: Nicholas Elliott Original Music: M. Lo Cast: Alejandro Polanco, Isamar Gonzales, Carlos Zapata, Ahmad Razvi, and Rob Sowulski
Select Festivals & Awards: Cannes Film Festival 2007, Toronto Film Festival 2007, London Film Festival 2007, and Berlin Film Festival 2008
*Note: Synopsis & photos taken from Noruz Films’ website
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Title: Ibn Arabi: The Voyage of No Return Author: Claude Addas Publisher: Islamic Texts Society (2000) Language: English ISBN-13: 978-0946621-743 (Paperback)
This is a concise introduction to the life and thought of Ibn Arabi, who is considered as the ‘Greatest of Sufi Masters’. Written by the author of a best-selling biography of Ibn Arabi, Ibn Arabi: The Voyage of No Return traces the major events of Ibn Arabi’s life: his conversion to Sufism; his travels around Andalusia and the Maghreb; his meetings with the saints of his time; his journey to Mecca; his travels in Egypt, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Anatolia and Syria; his most important books. The events of Ibn Arabi’s ‘inner voyage’, however, are far more spectacular than those of his outer life and are here presented directly from the many autobiographical sections found in his writings. Through her detailed analysis of Ibn Arabi’s works and her profound understanding of his ideas, Claude Addas gives us a comprehensive insight into the major doctrines of this most influential of Sufi masters: the doctrine of prophethood and sainthood, of inheritance from the prophets, of the ‘imaginal world’, of the ‘unicity of Being’, of the ‘Seal of the Saints’, and many others. Addas also introduces the main disciples of Ibn Arabi down to the nineteenth century and traces both his unequalled influence on the course of Sufism and the controversies that still surround him till today. Ibn Arabi: The Voyage of No Return is essential reading for anyone interested in Islamic mysticism and is a genuine contribution to scholarship in this field. Claude Addas is a scholar of Ibn Arabi and the author of Quest for the Red Sulphur: The Life of Ibn Arabi (published by The Islamic Texts Society, 1993). ‘... there can be no question as to the comprehensive scope and scholarly reliability of this work: the author has included all the major themes of Ibn Arabi’s writings, for the most part expressed in his own words, and has placed them carefully in the context of his major writings and both their immediate and wider historical settings.’ James Morris (Journal of the Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi Society) *Note: Book description was extracted from The Islamic Texts Society’s website. For more Islamicrelated publications published by The Islamic Texts Society, log on to www.its.org.uk.
moments of happiness as he carves out a life for himself in the wasteland of the Iron Triangle. The brightest of these moments is the arrival of his sister Isamar (Isamar Gonzales), who moves in with him in the tiny room perched in the back of the shop where he works. Knowing that creating a better life for the two of them is his best bet at staying together, Alejandro helps her find a job in a food van cooking and selling meals to the workers in the Iron Triangle. With a mixture of childlike naiveté and adult ambition, Alejandro begins obsessively saving his money to buy a mobilefood van as the two dream about owning and running a small business of their own. When their dream, and ultimately their loving relationship, is threatened by the hard truths of life, work, and one another, the children find themselves forced to make the kinds of difficult decisions that most adults never do. Intimate, heartbreaking and yet ultimately hopeful, Chop Shop is a portrait of two children navigating their way through a chaotic adult world. Set in a stunning and unique location, it is subtle and simple, but tells a profound story about the people who live, work, and dream there.
Title: Islam and the Destiny of Man Author: Gai Eaton Publisher: Islamic Texts Society (1994) Language: English Language: English ISBN-13: 978-0946621-477 (Paperback)
A new, revised edition, in paperback of a highly successful book, Islam & the Destiny of Man is a wide-ranging study of the religion of Islam from a unique point of view. The author was brought up as an agnostic and embraced Islam at an early age after writing a book (commissioned by T. S. Eliot) on Eastern religions and their influence on Western thinkers. The aim of Islam and the Destiny of Man is to explain what it means to be a Muslim, a member of a community which embraces a quarter of the world’s population and to describe the forces which have shaped their hearts and minds. Throughout the book the author is concerned not simply with Islam in isolation, but with the very nature of religious faith, its spiritual and intellectual foundations and the light it casts upon the mysteries and paradoxes of the human condition. Charles Le Gai Eaton was born in Switzerland and educated at Charterhouse at King’s College, Cambridge. He worked for many years as a teacher and journalist in Jamaica and Egypt (where he embraced Islam in 1951) before joining the British Diplomatic Service. He is now a consultant to the Islamic Cultural Centre in London. His King of the Castle was brought out in a second edition by the Islamic Texts Society in 1990. ‘Considered essential by [those] seeking to understand Islam.’ Sunday Telegraph ‘This book deserves to be read over and over again.’ Muslim Education Quarterly ‘This is a beautifully written book. It offers a taste of theology, of history, of aesthetics and of eschatology blended in such way as to provide a whole and balanced image, a vision of life that is both comprehensive and thoroughly Islamic.’ Parabola *Note: Book description was extracted from The Islamic Texts Society’s website. For more Islamicrelated publications published by The Islamic Texts Society, log on to www.its.org.uk.
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Ahmed Mukhtar: Musician, Performer & Teacher Born in Baghdad
in 1967, Ahmed Mukhtar has played the oud and Arabic percussion since 1979. He worked with many traditional music groups and musicians in Baghdad. He studied oud and percussion with the masters Ghanim Hdad and Jameel Jerjis and then went on to continue his studies of these styles at the High Institute of Music in Damascus. Later, he studied at the London College of Music. Starting from year 1990, Ahmed became a performer cum teacher and toured the major cities throughout the Middle East, Europe as well as Boston, Philadelphia and New York. Throughout his career in music, Ahmed has performed in various different festivals. His festival performances include the International Festival of Arabic Music in Cairo, 1994; the Conference of Arabic Music in Damascus, 1995; the International Music Feast at Cambridge University (England), 1997; the International Conference and Festival of Lutes and Music in France and Spain 1998-2002; the Festival of Iraqi Culture, Stockholm, Sweden 2002 and 2003; WOMAD Global Festival, Reading 2003 (England); as well as numerous live performances and concerts for BBC Radio 3, London, in 2004, and a guest The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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Ahmed’s research of the heritage of Arabic maqam, especially into oud music of the Iraqi school, led him to discover a new maqam related to the Arab philosopher Al-Kindy.
performance at the BBC Radio Mediterranean Music Fest 2004 in Rome, Italy. Ahmed’s talent in music is not limited to playing the oud and percussion; he also has great talent in song writing. He has written music for plays and documentaries for Arabic and Western TV stations such as MBC, ART, Mustakela and BB5. He released two albums in 1996 and 1999, both with traditional music and original works. In 2003, ARC Music released Ahmed’s album titled “Rhythms of Baghdad” (EUCD1781). Ahmed and 16 other musicians from all over the world were chosen by the UN to release an album for the benefit of the victims of terrorism and wars. This was adopted by the Human Rights Association. Today, Ahmed presents his own educational musical programme “Speech of the Oud” on the Al-Mustaqillah
satellite channel which broadcasts from London. This programme embraces the history of Arabic music and its theories, the oud and playing methods, for all levels from beginners to advanced players. He also teaches oud, Arabic music theory and percussion in colleges in London. Ahmed’s research of the heritage of Arabic maqam, especially into oud music of the Iraqi school, led him to discover a new maqam related to the Arab philosopher Al-Kindy. His music is rooted in this rich and complex tradition while also taking it into unique new directions. Ahmed’s albums include The Road to Baghdad, Rhythms of Baghdad, Words from Eden and Recital on Oud. **Note: Biography extracted from Ahmed’s “The Road to Baghdad” CD booklet. Photos taken from his official website. The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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top & bottom: CHILDREN OF THE ISLAND. No computer or video game to stop childrens from having fun with nature. By Eric Chia
STUDENT DOING HER PRACTICAL TRAINING AT THE KUALA LUMPUR CONVENTION CENTRE. When asked about her experience, she said real life is so different from school. Learning about life is definitely by experiencing life itself.
By Majnun Nur
OH NO! I CAN’T GO TO SCHOOL... MY TYRE’S PUNCTURED! When bad things happen, complaining will not solve anything. By Mark Piet
The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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art & literature
photography + photojournalism
goodstuff
CREATIVE & INNOVATIVE TANZANIANS MADE SANDALS OUT OF USED TYRES. Indeed, human beings generally solve different issues by being creative and pragmatic.
By Sunita Riar
DRAGON IN THE SKY, stars on the street. Light were created as a guidance, either to show direction or to communicate. And sometimes, light displays itself in a mesmerising panorama. Without light, life, knowledge and beauty will cease to exist. And there can be no darkness without light.
By Layla Qamar
RED SURVIVOR. Red is the colour of bravery. Not doing anything in life is not living. Let’s survive life with Halal means. By Faizal Ortho
The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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parting words The Muslim Welfare Organization Malaysia (PERKIM) was founded by Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Almarhum YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, and was registered on 19 August 1960. Tunku acted as advisor up until 1977, and was then elected as President ending his term in 1989. With “Islam is Unity” as a slogan, PERKIM carried out many activities towards uniting Malaysians as well as Muslims. Known to many as a point of reference for converts, PERKIM was not only setup to bring people to embrace the Islamic faith. It was founded as a non-government organisation to carry out da’wah activities that are aligned to Malaysia’s Vision 2020. With a mission to be the da’wah mover that supports local and international Islamic institutions, its activities are focused on five elements i.e. da’wah, education, welfare, and Islamic cooperation and development. In its 50th year running, PERKIM now realises the need to educate and re-educate Muslims and non-Muslims, the locals being their primary target, about Islam and the way of life as well as to create a sort of paradigm shift of mindsets. The Halal Journal speaks to PERKIM’s Secretary General, Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Abdul Hamid Othman to find out more about this initiative.
PERKIM: Renewing the Muslim Paradigm What are your views on the current state of the mindset of Malaysian Muslims? The concept of Islam has two components. One is called aqidah, which means the relationship with Allah. Another component is called syariat, which deals with living in this world – life on this earth. When the colonialists came to Malaya, their aim was to acquire economic dominance over the local Muslim populace. They did this by entering the life of the local population and emphasising the aqidah element of Islam while persuading the
locals to neglect the syariat aspect and hand it over to them, which included the economic element of life on this earth. So in the end, Islam was not taught holistically. Prayer, fasting and the building of mosques were encouraged but economic participation and discussion were handed over to the colonialists to the point where we don’t even consider the basic fundamental aspects and needs of life as being in the purview of our religion. Our education and mindset has been stunted by the economic interests of the colonialists. We are not taught
“The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) has taught us that we need to be selfsufficient, but we don’t seem to care about the economy.”
that it is obligatory to cultivate paddy for rice, meaning that it is a sin to leave the land idle and not plant paddy. This is because the colonialists encouraged only one aspect of Islam, the relation to Allah, while discouraging a holistic approach to Islam. This has continued until today.
The Islamic position and way on such issues is not addressed.
How is PERKIM carrying out this initiative? Our focus is on the religious curriculum. Here at PERKIM we use the word tajidiq, which means renewal. We aim to bring about a renewal of Islamic Why did PERKIM decide to thought and our strategy is to create a change of mindset? include all Malaysian Muslims. We have close to 40,000 religious We currently suffer from teachers with us, in both primary an inferiority complex. and secondary schools, whom we PERKIM would like to create are retraining in new approaches a new paradigm for Malaysian of how to teach Islam holistically. Muslims.Our focus is to have We are currently focusing an approach to Islam that on governmental bodies, is truly holistic. Islamically, especially education personnel, PERKIM focuses on fardhu kifayah, which is the management because they are the ones who disseminate the knowledge to of life on this earth, and we the children; not just about believe the establishment prayer, but also a greater holistic of this management needs understanding of Islam, such as to be a standard. cleanliness, behaviour, and so on. We aim to rectify the We also organise meetings practice of the Islamic syariat and lectures. In some places, of Malaysian Muslims. What is Tun Mahathir himself comes the Islamic syariat? It concerns living in this world. The Prophet down to give lectures. (p.b.u.h.) has taught us that we What next? need to be self-sufficient, but we don’t seem to care about the PERKIM would like to reach out to local institutions of higher economy. So much of our land has been left idle. There is 1,000 education. We have already reached an understanding with acres of land being left idle in UiTM (Universiti Teknologi Pahang while in Malacca the MARA), which has many number is close to 4,000 acres. campuses all over Malaysia. Why is Al-Baqarah the We would like to reach out and longest surah in the Quran? liaise with undergraduates as Because cows and goats are the well as academics to facilitate best sources of protein. If our climate is the same 12 months a and accelerate the dissemination of information and renewal of year, why do we have to import thought to Malaysian Muslims. meat? Why is it that our local Another one of our strategies for meat industry is not booming the future is to gather academics or thriving, even though the and scholars on Islamic thought potential exists? Because local here at PERKIM, and create Muslims shy away from that. committees focused on thinking and strategising on how to go about our renewal of Islamic thought and the establishment of a holistic Muslim paradigm. hj
The Halal Journal | Nov+Dec 2010 |
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