Halal certification legal and transparent - Fawzan Anwer
by Ananda Agalakada
Food exports from Sri Lanka to Muslim countries, especially to the
Middle East may be adversely affected if Halal certification is
withdrawn, Businessman cum Colombo District Sri Lanka Freedom Party
organizer M. Fawzan Anwer said.
He said that food exports to Middle East alone exceed US $ 1 billion
per annum.Anwer pointed that the Halal certification implemented by All
Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) was legal and transparent.
He also said that Halal certification process was completely
voluntary and ACJU do not force Muslims, or anyone else, to consume
Halal foods and also do not compel companies to follow suit.
What the ACJU offers is a standard certification and not anything
else, he said.
He also said that some have misunderstood the meaning of Halal and
added that Halal means lawful in Arabic and is used to identify any
object or action which is permissible to use or engage in according to
the Islamic law and this was not limited to food and drink alone.
He went on to say that Halal products were not exclusive for Muslims
and it can be used freely by non-Muslims as well.Anwer pointed out that
countries like Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore have successfully
integrated the Halal system in their business environment without any
controversy. This has also spurred business in those countries, he
noted.He questioned whether there was an outside attempt to create
communal tension using the issue to stall development at a time when the
country is moving forward rapidly.
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