Ahlul Bayt News Agency - ABNA - A German expert on halal certification has praised Malaysia for the “pioneering work” it has done in the field of halal food processing.
Mohmoud M. Tatari, the general manager of Ruesselsheim-based Halal Control e.V., which verifies the authenticity of halal products and issues halal certification to manufacturers and food processors in Europe, said the agency was also recognised by the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (JAKIM).
“Malaysia started pretty early to create halal compliant norms and standards.
Indeed, Malaysia had understood quite early to set halal norms into practice,” Tatari told Bernama at the Frankfurt office of the Malaysian trade commissioner, Mohd Sabri Ab Rahman.
Sabri said he was confident of increasing Malaysia’s profile as a supplier of top-quality halal products in Germany and other European countries which came within his jurisdiction.
Describing Malaysia as “among the most modern Islamic countries, as far as the technical and economic development is concerned”, Tatari, who is of Syrian origin, said halal products were consumed mainly by Muslims in Germany, though he wished German politicians would also support the endeavours of the halal industry to get a “voice” in the mainstream community.
“Halal is strongly affiliated with religion. It has to do with certain ritual requirements linked to Islam, and it is a religious term which should be protected and set under full control of the local Islamic authorities.
“Indeed, Islam prescribes that animals should be treated humanely and with respect, even if they are to be slaughtered.
According to Islam, animals should not be physically or mentally tortured,” he explained.
Germany’s halal market is worth 4 to 4.5 billion euros. Germany is also a major exporter of halal food products to a number of countries.
In fact, some 42 per cent of halal meat produced and processed in Germany are exported to the Middle East, Spain and other countries, according to Tatari.
“There is a large halal food-consuming community in Germany,” he said, adding that Malaysia stood for quality and efficiency.
Tatari also said that there was good business potential for Malaysia’s halal products in the 74-million strong mainstream market of Germany.
He said export of halal products to Germany had been growing between 12 and 15 per cent even when there was a recession.
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