Kuala Lumpur, 1 Nov. 2024 – Syed Atiq ul Hassan, Editor-in-Chief of Tribune International (Australia) and founding Director of Halal Expo & Conference Australia, recently met with Dato’ Dr. Sirajuddin Suhaimee, Director General of Jonatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM). Also present were Dr. Zuraiza binti Husin, Senior Assistant Director of the Malaysia Halal Council Secretariat and Mrs. Surraya Hassan, contributing to a fruitful discussion on global halal standards, lifestyle awareness, and the promotion of halal products and services.
The primary objective of the meeting was to explore strategies to enhance awareness and promote a halal lifestyle among Muslims in non-Muslim-majority countries, especially Australia and New Zealand. The discussion extended to educating non-Muslims about the health benefits associated with halal products. Emphasis was placed on reaching both the younger generation of Muslims and non-Muslims to promote a healthier lifestyle through halal practices.
It was discussed that conveying a clear message in Western societies about halal practices is crucial. Halal meat, halal consumables, and halal services have never posed harm to any person, group, or community, similar to other specialty dietary products like vegetarian, kosher, and gluten-free items. Open halal events, such as exhibitions and conferences, play a productive role in dispelling misconceptions about the halal lifestyle. Educating younger generations on the benefits of halal practices is important for both Muslims and people from diverse backgrounds. Tribune International (Australia) and Halal Expo & Conference Australia have been instrumental in promoting a positive image of halal to people of all backgrounds in Australia.
Mr. Hassan expressed his gratitude to Dato’ Dr. Sirajuddin for his time and commitment to discussing these important topics, especially during Mr. Hassan’s brief visit. He emphasized the ongoing role of JAKIM in setting standards that raise awareness of halal products as a lifestyle choice that benefits all consumers. Mr. Hassan also highlighted Tribune International’s consistent support for halal initiatives through articles and reports on halal products and services, which has greatly contributed to educating Australian audiences.
Key Insights from the Discussion
- Promoting Halal Awareness Globally: Dato’ Dr. Sirajuddin emphasized the importance of promoting halal products and services beyond religious obligations, underscoring their scientifically proven health and ethical benefits for all consumers. He stressed that spreading awareness of the holistic halal lifestyle, especially among young Muslims in non-Muslim-majority countries, remains crucial. This can be achieved through regular halal events, conferences, and exhibitions, which serve as platforms for outreach and education.
- Challenges and Progress in Halal Promotion in Australia: Reflecting on his experiences, Mr. Hassan shared the initial challenges of organizing the first Halal Expo & Conference in Sydney and Melbourne in 2015, where the concept faced resistance among Australians unfamiliar with halal principles. During the event’s early years, the team had to overcome significant hurdles in dispelling misconceptions and establishing halal’s value. However, awareness has since increased, and fears have diminished, with non-Muslim Australians beginning to understand and accept halal products and events.
- Role of Halal Events in Community Building: Both leaders acknowledged that events like the Halal Expo & Conference play a vital role in fostering harmony among diverse communities. These gatherings not only promote halal products and services but also serve as bridges between cultures, creating closeness among people of different backgrounds. Dato’ Dr. Sirajuddin lauded the efforts of Tribune International and the Halal Expo & Conference organizers, especially the contributions of Mr. Hassan and his team, for their dedication to advancing halal awareness and building inclusive communities.
The discussion between Syed Atiq ul Hassan and Dato’ Dr. Sirajuddin Suhaimee underscores the global relevance of halal products and services, extending beyond faith to become a lifestyle choice grounded in health, ethics, and quality. As the halal market continues to grow worldwide, initiatives led by JAKIM, Tribune International, and the Halal Expo & Conference are pivotal in promoting halal principles across cultural boundaries, contributing to a more inclusive, harmonious, and well-informed global community.
Read More: HALAL FOR ALL: PROMOTING HEALTHY LIFESTYLE ACROSS CULTURES AND CONTINENTS
