Stalls at a previous halal show of Expo Centre Sharjah

THE rising acceptance of halal meat due to scientific and hygienic slaughtering and processing methods is spicing up the $600 billion global halal meat market.

Studies have shown that halal slaughter protects consumers from many diseases, something not possible in the conventional methods used in many countries – a reason why it is popular even among non-Muslims.

“The way the slaughtering process is carried out is of significant importance for both human health and safety and quality of the meat. Halal slaughter involves cutting of the jugular veins, throat and esophagus, which facilitates draining of blood from the animal and thus prevents the growth and multiplication of harmful micro-organisms,” said Dr Ibrahim Hussein Ahmed Abd El Rahim, professor of infectious diseases, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah Al Mukarama, Saudi Arabia.

“Prevention of neck separation is very important for completing the bleeding process to remove all the blood from the carcass. Blood is a typical medium for microbes proliferation, therefore its complete removal from the slaughtered animal is vital to protect consumers from infectious diseases,” he said.

Dr El Rahim will be attending the upcoming Halal Congress Middle East that will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from December 16 to 18, 2013. It will be held organised alongside the 2nd OIC Halal Middle East Exhibition which is held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

Globally, the halal market that spans from food to finance and tourism is worth $3 trillion. According to the latest estimates, halal products have two billion consumers worldwide, a figure that grows more than 20 per cent annually.

Realising the importance of the subject, a panel discussion will be dedicated to the science behind halal during the three-day congress. To be chaired by Shawky Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam, Sheikh Al Azhar, grand mufti of Egypt, the discussion will take up issues of stunning, mechanical slaughtering, tasmiah and animal feed, among others.

Panelists include Mufti Taqi Usmani from Pakistan; Mufti Mustafa Ceric from Bosnia; Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin from Russia, Nabil A Molla, secretary general of the GCC Standardisation Organisation, and Dr Abdulqahir Mohammad Qamar of the International Islamic Fiqah Academy, Saudi Arabia.

It will also feature representatives from the Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries, Emirates Standards & Metrology Authority-UAE, National Accreditation Council-Pakistan, Jakim-Halal Certification Authority-Malaysia, MUI-Majlis Ulema-Indonesia and Halal Science Centre-Thailand.

Besides, reflecting on the surging trade between the region and Australia, Meat and Livestock Australia, has signed up as a platinum sponsor to talk about the Goodness of Australian Meat.

Other topics include tapping the growing halal trade; halal cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and tourism; benefits of halal certification; Islamic banking and takaful; technology for halal food traceability and harmonisation of halal standards.