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Halal and American How Muslim Americans can improve the halal foods and products sector. BY UMBERINE ABDULLAH A customer buying organic toothpaste at a major retail store was surprised to find that the product was certified halal. Wow! Despite the challenges, the halal symbol is turning up more and more products. One reason for this might be that many countries prohibit the import of genetically modified or extremely adulterated products because they have no idea of the possible health and environmental repercussions. Similarly, many Muslim importers as well as consumers are demanding authentic halal certification, not just the way the animal is slaughtered but also how it is raised and what ingredients go into a product. ISNA is poised for a major role in the halal certification process. In 1988 ISNA-Canada became a federally registered halal certification agency. In 2009 ISNA joined with the nonprofit American Halal Association (AHA; americanhalalassociation.org), which seeks to ensure the certification’s validity. The AHA is working with established organizations to certify and verify through formalized audits that all labeling on these products are accurate and transparent. In the future, it envisages itself as being involved with the financial, pharmaceutical, logistical, travel, healthcare, and other sectors. America’s 9 million Muslims represent a powerful consumer segment that spends an estimated $170 billion annually. The food industry giants that are hoping to penetrate that market, as well as the global Muslim market, know that their business plans will fail if they do not meet certain religious and health requirements. The AHA is designed to help them realize their plans in this regard. While the halal movement is just starting here, Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian communities, as well as New Zealand and Australia, have already established accreditation agencies. Perhaps the AHA could serve as a liaison for American producers. Muslim consumers must become more educated and aware of how to live an authentic halal lifestyle. ISNA is presenting itself as the American Halal Accreditation Board (AHAB). Washington, which seeks to promote American agriculture, also has a stake in the success of those who want to enter this growing export market. The Muslim business sector can further this effort by joining and supporting the Illinois-based AHA, while Muslims can choose halal products and convince the food industry to take demands for certification seriously. For this movement to succeed, a sound diverse Shari‘ah Board, a Standards Council, and a third-party auditing body harmonized by ISNA’s Accreditation Board are needed to
establish the checks and balances necessary to ensure the certifying agencies’ integrity, transparency, and excellence. The AHA will act as a base for cooperation among the halal industry, the government, and the public. AHA’s “HalalConnect” (www.halalconnect.com) focuses on the halal lifestyle and how it is connected with God and Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). The magazine connects this rapidly growing industry’s producers, cus-
tomers and end-users, academics, Shari‘ah scholars, and food scientists with each other and with the global halal movement “The importance of the developing halal markets of North America, both the role played by industry and by the consumers is now emerging …We welcome this new phase of the halal market as a challenge, an opportunity and, above all, as a responsibility,” says Dr. Ingrid Mattson (president, ISNA) The ISNA-AHA partnership, along with the establishment of the AHAB, will help advance and expand this sector, ensure authentic certification and accreditation for North American producers and consumers, and allow more Muslims to live a complete halal lifestyle.
_______________________________ Umberine Abdullah is a freelance writer.
THINK HALAL EAT HALAL•LIVE HALAL The perfect recipe for a tastier, healthier, better world
Stop by and see us at the Crescent Foods booth at the ISNA Convention for great giveaways July 2-5, Rosemont Convention Center, Rosemont, IL
To purchase Crescent Premium Halal Products, visit us at www.crescenthalal.com for exact locations • No preservatives • No artificial ingredients • No coloring agents • Just natural, vegetarian-fed premium Halal chicken • It’s fresh, pure, and humane from our farms to your families. www.crescenthalal.com • communications@crescenthalal.com
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