IIUI Rector Dr Masoom Yasinzai and President Dr Ahmed Yousif AI-Draiweesh present university souvenir to Imam-e-Ka’aba Dr Saleh bin Abdullah bin Hemeid. PHOTO: EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD: There is a need to devise a comprehensive strategy on Halal consumables endorsed by authentic forums rather than indulging in ‘unnecessary’ decrees.



This was advised by Imam-e-Ka’aba Professor Dr Saleh Bin Abdullah Bin Hemeid while addressing a conference on halal food, principles, Shariah, standards and contemporary issues, at the at International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) on Tuesday.



“Not only eating [food] but issues of medicines and beverages need to be addressed when it comes to halal food,” Dr Hemeid said, adding that unnecessary decrees in this regard should not be released since it is a matter that should be dealt by ‘authentic forums’.



He further said that haram (prohibited) food negatively affects the human body. However, he added that the business of halal food was a great deed and that Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Fiqh Academy has recommended guidelines in this regard.



Talking about Pakistan-Saudi relations, the Imam-e-Ka’aba said that the Saudi people have a great love for the people of Pakistan since there was no alternative to the love shown by the people of Pakistan for the two Holy Mosques and Saudi Arabia.



Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Saeed Al-Malki said that halal food automatically had access to all Muslims and was thus an important responsibility.



He added that Muslim countries can give a positive message to the world by promoting halal food.



State Minister for Science and Technology Mir Dostain Domki said that his ministry, after observing the demand and requirements of halal food in the Muslim world, has established the Pakistan Halal Authority, which has been approved by the parliament and is expected to start work soon.



IIUI Rector Dr Masoom Yasinzai said that the success of the halal food business in Pakistan is impossible without concerted efforts, strategies and support for the development of the halal food industry.



Noting that Pakistan has great potential for halal food trade with 30 million Pakistanis associated with livestock, Dr Yasinzai said that the country can exponentially boost its livestock production by using grazing fields of Balochistan and meet the halal meat requirements of Muslims around the world.



IIUI President Dr Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh hoped that the conference will present workable solutions to contemporary issues of halal food.



Published in The Express Tribune, October 25th, 2017.