Halal is an Arabic term meaning "permissible". In the English language it most frequently refers to food that is permissible according to Islamic Law. In the Arabic langauge it refers to anything that is permissible under Islam.

 

Philippinesis a country domiciled by different    tribes and religious groups. Among them engage in business activities selling goods and commodities   not necessarily examined   weather   halal  (lawful)   or  haram (unlawful)  by accredited Islamic institution. Because they are not Muslims, they are suspected not to pay serious attention to Muslim needs. Among religious Muslim consumers, therefore,  have to see certain good or food if    halal or haram.  

Some people are saying that haram (unlawful) foods and   products is a problem affecting  economic activities in a place where there are Muslims.  

Haram (unlawful) things should be given serious attention by the  government  because the presence of such affects the  socio-economic life of the Muslims.   This means that   all the   commodities and goods to be sold in   the Muslim  areas  and in the place where there are considerable number of Muslims must be halal (lawful).  For instance, the flesh of swine, liquor and other forbidden food, idols,  cross and images are haram.  Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said: “Allah and His Prophet have forbidden the sale and   purchase of liquor, carrion,  swine flesh   and idol. He further   observed  “When  Allah forbids a thing.  He also abolishes its value.”  (Ahmad, Abu Dawd)

Any   food or  commodity that   is being transported and sold in the Muslim areas more particularly if coming from the non-Muslim areas should be examined if they  are halal or haram.  Muslims are quite sensitive on this   matter because Islam forbids the Muslims to eat haram foods.

In  order  to make  commodities marketable both in domestic  and    international markets,  the  national government establishes the Philippine   Halal Certification which is in line with  the State policy to protect  and  promote the right to good health of the people and instill consciousness among them   and  the rights and well-being of     Muslim   Filipinos as regards   to their      beliefs, customs, and  traditions in   accordance with  the Shariah, as well as to further ensure their contribution to national goals and aspiration and to make them active participants in nation building.

Corollary  to this,   an official   of the    Department   of Agriculture’s National Meat Inspection Commission (DANMIC) last September  16,2001  cited the Islamic  Da’wah  Council of the Philippines (IDCP) for holding the “Halal Orientation Seminar” for Muslim communities here and nearby countries. Dr.  Efren C. Nuestro, DANMIC Executive Director said  in Manila Bulletin on September 17, 2001 the government is doing to protect their interest notably in foods which cater to their culture.  He informed   the participants that the Philippine has a permanent representative to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASIAN) Adhoc working group on Halal Food guidelines.

Nuestro also revealed that an inter agency project team was likewise formed to conceptualize, prepare guidelines,  policies and procedures to the proposed Philippine Halal Certification Scheme as provided   for  in a Memorandum of  Understanding (MOU) entered into by the Secretaries  of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Agriculture, Health, Science  and Technology and the Executive Director of the Office of Muslim Affairs.  The MOU  reportedly serves    as the basis for a proposed Executive order  Creating the “Philippine  halal Certification Board.”  For its part,   the NMIC provides support to the Halal Food Development Assistance Project by way of  technical assistance to the government units for the construction of a Halal slaughter house in a municipality or city.

Take a case of what happened last November 22, 2006 when Muslim congressmen called on the leadership of the House of Representatives to respect  the religious practices observed by Islam followers as they defended a collegues who was reported to have manhandled a catering employee for feeding her pork.

Reps. Mujiv Hataman (Anak Mindanao ) and Benasing Macarambon (NPC, Lanao del Sur) said they fully understood the actions of Rep. Faysah RPM Dumarpa (Lakas, Lanao del Sur) who allegedly  slapped an employee of the Shangrila Finest Cuisine restaurant for misleading her into eating pork.

The prevalent of haram foods in Muslim areas could be attributed  to many factors.  Among them is the negligence of duty of responsible offices, like the Department of Trade and Industry and the Office on Muslim Affairs.  They are not really concerned on this problem.  Even if they are already informed but they are not sincere in addressing it.

The presence of this problem further has created significant distinction between Muslims and non-Muslims.  Whenever Muslims are in non-Muslim restaurant, they always inquire the kind of food they are served if pig or swine flesh… An act of inquiry is a cultural symbol and identification of the Muslims in a non-Muslim area. You can easily identify them that they are really Muslims in time of eating.

Manufacturers as well as their dealers should see and examine their products and goods if really halal if  sold to Muslim customer. If food mixed with swine and the like should be marked.

In order to ensure the highest respect on Muslim faith and practices as recognized in the Constitution and to give legal measures for any violation and in view of the present globalization of economy, the Congress of the Philippinesmust legislate Laws on Halal Certification. 

	1. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 03-10-2007 13:09 - Registered
	Thumbs up for this This article is indeed very important. A lot of products nowadays are bearing the HALAL Certification but we might be unsure of its authenticity.    I believe I have a friend, whom our friends earlier told us that he is working on the Committee overseeing the HALAL Certification as they are inspecting several plants and factories.

	2. Written by magarang on 03-10-2007 13:17 - Guest
	Thumbs up for this the halal certification cannot be legislated. the supreme court had already struck down as unconstitutional the executive order empowering OMA to certify halal since it is a religious activity....

	3. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 03-10-2007 18:29 - Guest
	Thumbs up for this talagang maraming mga products ngayon na may tatak na HALAL, pero sure ba talaga na halal yon ?

	4. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 03-12-2007 07:03 - Guest
	k.u ods akn a mala!! ayayay http://bana

	5. Written by haji kiram p. sampao on 14-01-2008 23:45 - Guest
	halal foods transfer of technology assalamualaikom wr.wb.    alhamdulillah..that our company the   HPTDC inc. efforts and concerned after we stop our importations of halal foods and consumer products like siwak,bath soap noodles and biscuit last 1997 when the currency turmoil hit the asean countries that force us to stop the operation.    our company programes to establish a halal food processing plant is the only way to guarantee the authentecity of halalness of any products operated,manage and manufacture by true muslims,no guarantee that even a muslim own groceries,restaurant can sell and serve halal foods when there products and ingredients were made by nasrani company. part of the economic exploitation of enemy of islam is to encourage young muslim proffessionals on white collar jobs, saan na thousands na agriculturist graduated, fisheries natin.. mabuti pa nga iyong mga lokes tano ka may nagawang sariling tegas a timos, gula a mariga.    we encourage young generation to join with the muslim private sector, to share your brilliant technical know how in establishment of our own muslim products ang muslim thailand mayroon na silang sariling mga halal product mayroon isang universidad na nag study ng halal foods development.    ensallah the HPTDC inc. will operate within our financial capability on target year on 2009.waiting more incorporator to join us on this noble project. hinde tayo aasa sa mga arabo, sa goberno umasa tayo sa tulong ng ALLAH S.W.T gamitin ang talino at sipag ng maranao. marami ng mayayaman na muslim belong to private sector. enfact sa study namin ang muslim private sector ang hinde na exploit politically, economically ang katowiran namin, we liberated our stomach and we liberated our mind.    sana ang young muslim professionals, mag isip to create more entrepreneur, for jobs creations huwag tayo umasa sa mga politician para mag trabaho sa   goberno, kaya pagdating ng election nagpapatayan ang magkaka mag anak dahil ang politica sa atin ay naging hanap buhay.    panahon na.. para magsariling sikap.    tangapin natin ang nagigin partner ng mga ulama sa dawwah acitivities ay ang mga small traders belong to private sector,ang concept nila pag naipon ang sampong traders mag jajamag sila sa maliit na kuarto hangang sa makatayo sila ng mosque at madrasah, at mag hire sila ng ustads at ulama para turuan sila, thousands of mosque all over archepelago already, ang trabaho ng OMA taga lista lang ng manga muslim mosque wala naman silang na i tayo na sariling mosque at madrasah.itutuloy  kung need more information. pasensiya na..emototion ko awedakal ko pag tao a muslim

	6. Written by the teacher on 15-01-2008 04:35 - Guest
	halal foods transfer of technology I suggest we should spell out "INSHAALLAH" correctly because we are addressing our Lord when we express it. We should be cautious when it involves the name of God.     we should not write it this way: EnsaAllah, nshaAllah or any other spelling usually used in texting and here in the net.     Let's refrain from short cutting the Spelling of INSHAALLA and we should always Capitaliza the first letter of the name of Allah.     Thanks.

	7. Written by the teacher on 15-01-2008 08:34 - Guest
	halal foods transfer of technology kung hindo pwede sa Congress dahil sa restriction ng Constitutioin.     Haka through ARMM legislation pwede. Bakit hindi gawin sa RLA?    Para tayong mga tagaARMM maprotektahan.

	8. Written by Almorshid on 16-01-2008 23:59 - Guest
	response Leslating halal certifiction as an institution is possible. It depends upon the competence of the proponent. The Office on Muslim Affairs and the Haj or Pilgrimage Autghority have been institutionalized through legislation.