| Syazwani Hj Rosli |
THE two-day ‘Transcending Borders and Addressing Challenges in the Halalan Tayyiban Industry’ international seminar, organised by Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) in collaboration with the Global Halal Industry Department (GHID) came to an end in a closing ceremony held yesterday at UNISSA’s auditorium.
Present as the guest of honour was Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, the Deputy Minister of Education.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa followed by a welcoming remark from the Head of the Global Halal Industry Development Division (GHID) of the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office (EIDPMO), Haji Sabri bin Haji Mohd Taha.
The event also saw the presentation of the seminar’s resolution by the Director of UNISSA’s Mazhab Shafi’e Research Centre in his capacity as a Lecturer at the Faculty of Syariah and Law, Dr Azme bin Haji Matali.
In his presentation, Dr Azme shared numerous resolutions compiled and gathered as a result from the two-day seminar.
He said that the seminar was part of their effort to uphold the titah of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, during the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration in 2010 in introducing Brunei as a Halalan Tayyiban hub at both the national and international level so as to realise the Sultanate’s vision in becoming a Zikir Nation.
Another resolution, he said, is to call the society to passionately strive in upholding the realisation and execution of Halalan Tayyiban services and products concept in all parts of the nation and that its concept is giving optimum choice of healthy and pure food free from any destructive effects to mankind.
Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, the Deputy Minister of Education in a group photo with other guests. – AZROL AZMI
He said that research findings have affirmed that every country has a Halal certification authority, its own relevant procedures, regulated to its essentials, certain Halal standards and measures, as well as specific initiatives in preserving the Halalan Tayyiban food, services and products.
According to him, the seminar accepted that the Halalan Tayyiban industry in every country possesses distinct potential to further develop the quality towards complying the Syariah principles and ruling to serve the needs of the whole Ummah.
Dr Azme also emphasised that the seminar has recognised the different religious perceptions and approaches to alcohol. He said that most religions do prohibit the consumption of alcohol on the basis of it being sinful, while others tend to view it from other perspectives. However, he said, some religions consider the usage of alcohol in ritual activities and some others permit the consumption to the extent that it may not cause intoxication.
In regards to that, he said that it is recommended that the term alcohol to have a standard definition recognised internationally in order to avoid misunderstanding and confusion in the life of the society as a whole.
Another resolution highlighted by Dr Azme was that the seminar accepted the view that the concept of Umum al-balwa is applicable under the Syariah in determining the ruling of an issue.
He added that it was noted that the classical and contemporary Muslim scholars did not elaborate on this concept in detail. As such, the application of the concept of Umum al-balwa is not widely recognised.
According to him, it was proposed that research in this concept will be developed along with modern issues and technologies in food and beverages industries.
He also said that it was declared accordingly that good food will not only be viewed from the health perspective, but also taking into consideration the essence of it being Halal, since such is found to have influence on mankind’s attitudes and characters.
The resolution, he added, also called for wide-spread information on issues related to Halal and Haram food so as to strengthen the understanding and practice of students, specifically towards Halal food as well as the Halalan Tayyiban products and services in general.
It also called for the relevant authorities who are related to Halalan Tayyiban industries to emphasise on the Halal certification procedures since it involves the process of producing Halal food, the qualified standard of Halal food premises as well as ensuring the quality food products.
He continued that challenges to other related issues may be overcome through scrutinised management of Halal certification involving food producers and consumers.
The collaboration from such agencies in solving issues and challenges of Halal certification is the best approach to develop and promote the Halal industry on an Asean level as the world’s Halal hub.
The seminar aimed towards introducing UNISSA as a Halalan Tayyiban product and services research centre that may stand as the most reliable research centre in the country and at an international level.
The ceremony then saw the handover of the seminar’s resolution to the guest of honour from Haji Sabri. A Doa Selamat was recited to end the event.
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