By Syed Sajid Aziz
(Pakistan News & Features Services)
Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is
to be made center of World Halal Food (WHF) very soon, this was announced on
the occasion of establishment of Gulf Halal Centre which was inaugurated by
Chairman, Sharjah AWQAF, Sheikh Sagar bin Mohammad Al Qasmi, at Sharjah
recently.
The setting up of WHF was a step in
fulfilling the vision of Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid al Maktoum, to make UAE the
center of world Halal Food trade. The opening of the cenrre coincided with
Sharjah celebrating 2014 as the Islamic cultural capital of the world, and with
Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Ruler of Sharjah’s
guidance and support to the Islamic world and great Islamic architecture that
can be found and seen in all Sharjah government.
The ceremony was held at a local hotel in
presence of VIPs, senior government
officials, diplomats, CIPs, business community and media, who witnessed the
official launching of Gulf Halal Center (GHC), the pioneering Halal
Certification body in the United Arab Emirates, offering
Halal Audit and certification services to Emirati companies, to help them
convert to Halal Management System. Sheikh Sagar al Qasmi, declared it as part
of the jubilation celebrating Sharjah as the Islamic Cultural Capital of the
World 2014.
Chairman of Gulf Halal Center, Saif Mohammad
Jasim al Midfa while talking to media said that the Halal market does not only
include food products and ingredients but also food service establishments,
Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, Personal care products, Animal & Poultry feed,
Apparel & leather products, hospitality and tourism, banking, finance,
Takaful and logistics, which will all be covered by the Gulf Halal Center.
Asad Sajjad, the CEO of Gulf Halal Center
gave an eye opening presentation on how the Haram ingredients are used in our
everyday use products and emphasized on the importance of Halal Certification
as the demand of 1.7 billion Muslim consumers as well as a lot of non-Muslims,
who prefer Halal food as its healthy and wholesome (Tayyab).
Asad said that Halal Certified has emerged as
an internationally recognized and established brand that is a big sales booster
for the Emirati manufacturers and exporters to enter the 3 trillion dollar plus
Global Halal market. Halal Certified removes the non-tariff barriers for many
countries as Halal Certified products are able to enter countries with
obligatory Halal requirements.
He said that GHC team consists of qualified
professionals including Halal technical auditor, Shariah experts and food
technologist, experienced in Halal Audit and certification work as per UAE
Halal standards for food safety and Shariah, also compliant with OIC-SMIIC
Halal standards that are accepted worldwide.
The GHC also offers Marketing services for
Halal Certified products as well as Halal Training and awareness services, for
the company employees and management.
