Include environmental-friendly criteria in halal certification

Malaysiakini:



Include environmental-friendly criteria in halal certification

by Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz

LETTER | The Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) together with international NGO coalitions are always mindful of the ongoing climate crisis and problems of environmental degradation around the world. This situation requires concrete actions by all parties that take the initiative to care for the environment.

Among the initiatives that Abim is involved in at the grassroots level using the Malaysian Interfaith Climate Change Network (MICCN) platform is the launching of the "Destroying the Earth is Against My Religion" campaign.

This campaign aims to inculcate the importance of environmental care among religious communities. As part of this campaign, Abim calls upon the authorities in Malaysia such as the religious department and other accredited international bodies to include environmental-friendly criteria as prerequisites for halal certification.

This action expands the definition of 'halal and good', also known as 'halalan toyyiban' by encouraging the sensitivity of the public towards the importance of environmentally sustainable practices.

This initiative can guarantee environmentally friendly food sources that are halal and good, where the earth and its produce can be cared for and guarded against irresponsible activities.

This will also be a starting point to educate the community and Muslims, in particular, to take climate change and environmental protection seriously, especially with regards to consumption patterns.

This proposal is in line with the 17th principle of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to encourage the development of industries that support sustainable environmental practices.

Abim is optimistic that Malaysia, as an international halal hub, can be a pioneer in bringing about better global halal standards in the spirit of better environmental protection.

Abim strongly believes that this initiative is a key agenda item in fulfilling our responsibilities as stewards and caliphs on the earth, who are responsible for caring for the world in an inclusive way for the good of all humanity.

*********

kt notes: Abim's Muhammad Faisal seems earnest and sincere, and while I applaud his efforts and aspirations, I have my doubts as to JAKIM's ability to maintain Malaysia as a 'halal hub'.

Recall, the recent scandal where it was revealed Malaysia, even under JAKIM's 'strict' supervision of its 'halal-ness' in every stuff for Muslims, had suffered the indignity, shame and scam of allowing non-halal frozen meat to be sold in Malaysia for allegedly over 40 years - yes, JAKIM was not yet formed in the early part of those 40 years, but WTF did it do when it took over the halal business and set about so-called rigorous rules  

Even non-halal kangaroo meat was substituted for so-called halal beef, and presumably consumed by unsuspecting Muslims who had placed their gullible trust in JAKIM. What eff-ing 'halal hub' when Malaysia's halal credentials and reputation went to the dogs and kangaroos.

By its performance or rather, non-performance, JAKIM seems good only for making eateries like MacDonald impose a strict environment where even innocuous birthday cakes were not allowed into its premises unless the bakery of the birthday cake has been halal--certified (guess who reaps in revenue for halal certification?). But so-called 'halal' certified frozen meat for Muslims, PODAH JAKIM! For eff-ing 40+ years.

Wait, eateries are not all that JAKIM effs around - recall porcine DNA in Cadbury chocolates, hot not-dogs from Auntie Kangaroo's Hot Dogs, etc - JAKIM, what an eff-er you have been.

So, maybe it's premature to talk about JAKIM bringing about 'better environmental protection' in its halal business when it couldn't even handle the basic requirements for meat to be halal and of the type the packaging says they're supposed to be (and not hop around when the package says 'lamb cutlet').