World Halal Forum 2-3 April 2012

‘Inspire – Innovate – Invest’

The World Halal Forum 2012, themed ‘Inspire • Innovate • Invest’, will be held on 2-3 April at the Kuala Lumpur (KL) Convention Centre. Now in its seventh edition, WHF envisage a forum that serves as a platform for a dialogue of doers on issues, challenges and opportunities that are universal and affects all ages, creeds and cultures. WHF sees a time to inspire, innovate and invest in a lifestyle based on values – a future where Halal is a principle shared by everyone, regardless of faith.

What’s a business to some is a lifestyle to others, and what is a lifestyle to some is a business to others. With this interconnectedness in mind, we bring about a programme that fuses business and lifestyle elements, with universal values as a common ground.

Intertwined with creative interludes by Australian graphic designer and artist, Peter Gould, titled “Reaching Out to Muslim Consumers – The Power of Arts”, as well as photographer from the UK, Peter Sanders, titled “Disseminating Islam through Photographic Books”, this year’s sessions are:

1. On Halal & Tayyib – Interacting with leading Islamic scholars
A panel of esteemed scholars in Islamic jurisprudence will discuss and debate on the most contentious issues affecting the global Halal industry from pre-slaughter stunning, mechanical slaughter, istihala (change of state), permissible alcohol levels and the application of technology in determining the halal status of a product.

2. Halal currency as an enabler for Halal trade
The evolution of the Halal industry is moving towards a more holistic values-based offering that is consistent with both Islamic principles and universal values. The Islamic Finance industry has had a head start of over 20 years ahead of the Halal products sector. Leading players from the Islamic Finance sector will offer their ideas as to how “Halal money” can provide solutions for the Halal products and services sector.

3. Halal consumer market trends & insights
Muslim consumers alone constitute over 1.6 billion worldwide but they are far from being a homogenous group. A lot of consumption trends and preferences amongst Muslim youth in particular are in fact consistent with those of non-Muslims sharing similar demographics. Around 60 per cent of the world’s Muslims are below the age of 30 years, hence it is vital for any product marketer to understand this powerful group, who are the movers and shakers of the Halal market.

4. Islam & globalisation – The role of Halal
Halal as a label or logo has been somewhat of a double-edge sword. On one hand, it has enabled Muslims to make informed choices in consumption and even integrate better with non-Muslims who otherwise could not sit together at the same dining table. On the other hand, the increased usage of Halal labels has also led to divisive conflict amongst Muslims and between Muslims and non-Muslims. Has the Halal sector kept up with the pace of globalisation – now that the supply chain has become so complex and technology-driven?

5. International trade
The integrity of Halal labelling has entered a new realm as Halal-certified products are moving across international boundaries. Halal has indeed gone mainstream, hence major players including manufacturers, retailers, and food service providers are demanding the same level of transparency and professionalism as other conventional standards such as food safety. Is the infrastructure in place to ensure this and how well equipped are the relevant authorities in facilitating the smooth trade in Halal goods?

6. Regulation – Comparing models
The Halal industry on the whole remains an unregulated sector. Even within the 57 member grouping of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation), less than 10 have any kind of ruling or regulation on Halal products. Countries such as New Zealand and certain states in America have defied the notion that Halal as a religious matter belongs outside the realm of a secular government by enacting clear labelling laws on Halal. Can private sector driven initiatives serve the purpose of regulating Halal?

7. Media & entertainment
There is no denying the fact that both traditional and electronic media have powerful influences on the choices we make as consumers. How then do we harness this power to further the cause of propagating Halal as the standard of choice to Muslims and non-Muslims alike? With so much mainstream media predicated on maximising consumer reach by any means no matter how titillating or provocative, we need to offer an alternative that would espouse positive universal values.

8. Education, environment & poverty eradication
How do we unleash the universal values and mechanisms in Islam that can achieve noble social objectives for the greater good, or maslahah. Seeking knowledge, caring for the environment and helping the poor are the duty of all Muslims. Zakat and Waqf for example can be institutionalised through modern means such as salary deduction, formation of trusts, establishing foundations, etc. Imagine the billions of dinar that would be available for such noble causes, which could in fact change the world.

Following the inclusive trait of Islam and Halal, WHF panel speakers come from all spiritual backgrounds to converse in a united front. Some of our key invited panel speakers this year are:

1. Maulana Shaykh Afeefuddin Al-Jailani
Head of Darul Jailani International and Chairman of Al-Wariseen Trust
2. Shaykh Turkey Essa Al-Mutairy
Head – Department of EFTA, Kuwait Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs
3. Ustazah Hakimah Mohd Yusoff
Director of Halal Hub Division, Malaysia Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM)
4. Badlisyah Abdul Ghani
CEO, CIMB Islamic Bank Malaysia
5. Jon Bilal Wilson
Senior Lecturer, Marketing Communications and Advertising Management, University of Greenwich, UK
6. Hanen Rezgui Pizette
Engineer in Technology & Member of ASIDCOM (Association de Sensibilisation, d’Information et de Défense de Consommateurs Musulmans), France
7. Dr. Zeki Ziya Sözen
Head of Frozen Food Products & Personal Care Group, Yıldız Holding, Turkey
8. Mehmet Köse
Executive Board Member, Yildiz Holding, Turkey
9. Philip Pfeffer
Partner, Chadbourne & Parke (London) LLP, UK
10. John Pointing
Barrister & Senior Lecturer, Kingston University, UK
11. Ibrahim Abdul-Matin
Author of Green Deen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet, USA
12. Shaista Gohir
Global Campaign Strategist, Oxfam GB, UK