News From : DagangHalal.com (18 Nov 2009)
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference is working on a single standard to be applied in its 57 member countries, a move that would boost the industry.
World Halal Forum (WHF) Europe begins Wednesday in The Hague, the Netherlands, marking the first time the forum is held outside Malaysia and aiming to tap the huge potential of Europe’s halal market, Bernama news agency reported.
Drawing participation from key industry players from 33 countries and strong representation from Europe and Southeast Asia, as well as from Africa, the Middle East, the United States and Australia, WHF Europe is expected to create a path for better understanding and acceptance of the halal industry.
In line with its theme “Halal Potential — A Regional Focus”, WHF Europe will touch not just on business perspectives but also address issues and problems related to the industry.
Held at the World Forum Convention Centre, WHF Europe will end tomorrow after seven sessions of presentations and discussions.
Among the speakers are Bosnia Herzegovina’s grand mufti Dr Mustafa Ceric and Farm Animal Welfare Council United Kingdom’s council member Dr Michael Appleby.
“The forum will end with a resolution from the delegates, something tangible to allow the halal industry, especially in Europe, to realise its full potential,” World Halal Forum’s founder Jumaatun Azmi, who is also managing director of KasehDia Sdn Bhd, in her welcoming remarks told the agency.
“We chose to have our inaugural WHF Europe in The Hague in view of the fact that it is a neutral ground in terms of socio-political scenario compared to other European countries,” Jumaatun said in a statement.
“Furthermore, it has huge potential to be a gateway for halal trade since Port of Rotterdam, which is the largest port in Europe, has dedicated storage and warehouse facilities which are already operational a few years back,” she said.
According to Jumaatun, WHF Europe will provide insights into real opportunities in the halal industry and give clearer perspectives to businesses, consumers, Muslim groups and policy makers on its viability and potential.
More importantly, it will help increase understanding on the concept of halal and its values not only to Muslims, but also to non-Muslims, she said.
Europe, which has third largest concentration of Muslims after Asia and Africa, currently has a Muslim population of about 51.2 million, with a growth of 140 per cent in a decade.
Though Europe represents only 3.2 per cent of the total Muslim population, the region consumes 10.2 per cent of the total halal food production, indicating a growing market with huge potential.
The WHF was launched in 2006 to promote the halal concept for the benefit of the global Muslim market.
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is working on a single standard to be applied in its 57 member countries, a move that would boost the industry.
The halal concept determines what Muslims should eat food and use goods that are “halalan toyibban”, which means permissible and wholesome.