Closing Statement of the special meeting against non-muslim interference to halaal issues. Held in Istanbul on 13-14th June 2015.
Whereas:
- halaal is a divine obligation based on Qur’an and Prophetic teachings.
- The distinctive identity and characteristics of a Muslim outlined in Prophetic tradition is adherence to the precepts of halaal
- The interpretation, standardization, regulation, governance and application of halaal is regarded as an act of worship.
- All acts of worship are predicated on faith and belief
- Freedom of thought, conscience and freedom of religion are moral norms granted by human rights principles.
- Standardization Authorities of some countries and Unions have embarked on developing standards for halaal without regard to the Islamic Religious Sanctity of the entire halaal certification processes.
- They have established technical committees for the development of the said standard in total disregard to the religious concerns being safeguarded by Recognized halaal certification and accreditation authorities worldwide.
Now therefore:
We, as concerned Muslims representing halaal Certification Bodies, Muslim Consumers and Religious Non-Governmental Organizations,
Declare that:
- The religious affairs of a faith group vests exclusively with the adherents of that particular faith community
- The crafting of halaal standards requires inter alia the skills of qualified Muslim theologians who possess in-depth knowledge of Islamic Law, which is based on Qur’an, Sunnah, Ijma and Qiyas
- halaal (Lawful) and Haram (Unlawful) are Islamic precepts that govern the entire life of a Muslim and are accordingly regulated by a deeply spiritual commitment
- The verification and administration of halaal cannot be isolated from the notion of worship and therefore should not be reduced to a matter of mere technical compliance.
- halaal Certification by non-Muslim entities is deemed null and void in terms of Islamic Law
- Intervention by organs of a Secular or Non-Muslim State in the religious affairs of the Muslim community is an infringement of its religious liberties, freedom and consumer rights
- Initiatives by Muslim governments to drag non-Muslim entities into halaal for any reason is unacceptable.
- We will not accept the legitimacy and validity of any certification or citation aimed at the regulation of halaal by non-Muslims
- We remind that halaal is a pure Islamic term and since we will never accept praying behind a non-Muslim, we will not accept Non-Muslims’ audits, inspections, testimonies, accreditations and certification pertaining to halaal and such certification documents that might be issued by non- Muslim entities will be rejected.
- We will establish a committee with representatives from Islamic NGOs, HCBs and Muslim Consumer Organizations. This committee will address the Islamic organizations and halaal Certification Bodies which have not attended the conference with the aim of reviewing and reconsidering their position in order to speak with one voice against the interference of non-Muslims in Islamic affairs and to avoid discrepancies between Muslim Stakeholders.
- We will embark on a mass awareness program alerting Muslim communities to the gross violation of their religious observances.
- With the support of all Muslim halaal organizations, we will use all the legal ways to protect and defend our religious freedom and rights.
Thus done and endorsed by the following participated Muslim organizations on the 14th June 2015 in Istanbul:
 Adelaide Mosque Islamic Society South Australia Australia |
 Asidcom France |
 Association halaal Verif France |
|---|---|---|
 A Votre Service, Avs France |
 Azka halaal Kuwait |
 Be halaal UK |
 Department Of halaal Certification Ireland Ireland |
 European Supreme halaal Council Luxemburg |
 European Centre Of halaal Certification-Gr Greece |
 French Union Of Muslim Consumers France |
 Gimdes, Association For The Inspection And Certification Of Food And Supplies Turkey |
 halaal Assure Ip UK |
 halaal Certification Authority Australia |
 halaal Certification Center Russia |
 halaal Certification Institute Macedonia |
 halaal Comitee – Portugal Portugal |
 Halaal Development Foundation Japan Japan |
 Halaal Food & Quality Of Islamic Center Of La Vall Spain |
 Halaal Institute Of Portugal Portugal |
 halaal Italia Italy |
 Halaal Police Foundation Netherland |
 Halaal Standardization Committee Of Centralized Religious Organisation Tatarstan |
 Hayrat Association Turkey |
 Het- Institute Of halaal Quality Control Denmark |
 Institute For Standards Of Bosnia And Herzegovina Bosnia & Herzegovina |
 International Center For halaal Standardization And Certification Of Russia Mufties Council Russia |
 International Union Of Muslim Scholars (Iums) Libya |
 Islamic Council Of South Africa South Africa |
 Islamic Da’wah Council Of The Philippines Philippine |
 Islamic Society Of Washington Area USA |
 Islamic Council Of Norway, halaal Certification Committee Norway |
 Islamic Information, Documentation And Certification Austria |
 Ismail Aga Fiqh Committee, Turkey Turkey |
 Kuwait Institute For Scientific Research Kuwait |
 Memursen Turkey |
 Musiad Turkey |
 Muslim Association In Denmark Denmark |
 Muslim World League Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia |
 Nippon Asia halaal Association Japan |
 Halaal Food International & Chilehalaal Chile |
 Rabia Platform Turkey |
 South African National halaal Authority, SANHA South Africa |
 Supreme Islamic Council Of halaal Meat In Australia Inc, SichmaAustralia |
 The halaal Catering ArgentinaArgentina |
 World halaal CouncilTurkey |
 World Muslim Consumers Organization Malaysia |
