"Old Diem" is gone, Halal is not just no pork, no alcohol

Halal now means food safety, cleanliness and using sophisticated methods to avoid harmful products.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visits a booth at the 20th Malaysia International Halal Exhibition at MITEC on September 17. (Source: Malay Mail)

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that in his opening speech at the Malaysia International Halal Expo 2024 at the Malaysia International Trade Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur capital today, September 17.

According to him, Halal status no longer simply means that the food or drink does not contain pork or alcohol.

The definition of halal has evolved over the past few decades, expanding beyond the avoidance of unapproved foods. “The traditional view of halal is no longer valid,” Anwar asserted. “Today, halal means (food) that is safe, clean and uses sophisticated methods to avoid harmful products.”

Halal products can compete globally because this certification requires more stringent standards than those generally accepted worldwide.

According to the Malaysian leader, compliance with Halal standards is not only beneficial for Muslims but also for people of all faiths.

“When we talk about Halal, we are not just talking from an Islamic perspective,” he stressed. Halal “serves the interests of all Malaysians without discrimination.”

He cited that the Malaysia International Halal Expo 2024 saw the participation of Malaysians of different religions such as Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism, working together to ensure the success of the Halal industry.

Meanwhile, Minister of Trade, Investment and Industry (MITI) Tengku Zafrul Aziz said Malaysia aims to achieve 75 billion ringgit ($17.6 billion) in Halal exports, or 11% of Gross Domestic Product by 2030.

Last year, Halal exports totaled RM55 billion ($12.9 billion), of which Halal food and beverages accounted for RM29.4 billion ($6.9 billion), playing a key role in driving economic growth in the Southeast Asian nation of 34 million people.

According to Mr. Reezal Merican Naina Merican, head of the Malaysian Trade Promotion Agency (MATRADE), the current value of the Halal industry is US$3.5 trillion, with expectations of increasing to US$5 trillion by 2030.

Co-organised by MATRADE and MITI, the Malaysia International Halal Exhibition 2024 with the theme “Globalising Halal Innovations” took place from September 17-20, attracting the participation of more than 1,000 exhibitors from over 66 countries.

Malaysia, with over 60% of its population being Muslim, is one of the largest countries in the Halal market and a leader in the Halal certification industry which it pioneered in 2007.

Malaysia International Halal Exhibition started in 2004, bringing together businesses that promote Halal trade and contribute significantly to the global Halal economy.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/diem-xua-roi-halal-khong-chi-la-khong-thit-lon-khong-ruou-bia-286689.html