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2011-10-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

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New poultry firm lands in Princess Anne

2011-06-16T19:38:00.000-07:00

PRINCESS ANNE -- A company that plans to process chickens for a growing Muslim market has purchased a vacant building in the Princess Anne Industrial Park.

Tauherr Poultry will hire 15-25 workers at first at the 8.1-acre former American Dehydrated Foods property, said Terry Nichols, a former Allen Family Foods employee and a partner in the new business.

An opening date for the plant, as well as the type of processing that will be done there, are still undecided, he said.

"We're still in communications with potential customers and buyers," Nichols said.

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Halal UFO Speaker in Town

2010-01-12T02:45:00.000-08:00

Dear all please visit RadioAtok.

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CoffeeHousers' Wall 7 December - 13 December | The Spectator

2009-12-10T06:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the latest CoffeeHousers' Wall. For those who haven't come across the Wall before, it's a post we put up each Monday, on which - providing your writing isn't libellous, crammed with swearing, or offensive to common decency - you'll be able to say whatever you like in the comments section.

There is no topic, so there's no need to stay 'on topic' - which means you'll be able to debate with each other more freely and extensively. There's also no constraint on the length of what you write - so, in effect, you can become Coffee House bloggers. Anything's fair game - from political stories in your local paper, to chat about the latest football results.

But, more than anything, we want this Wall to become a means of better communication between the Coffee House team and you, the readers. If you want us to write on anything in particular - add a comment to the Wall. If you want to ask us any questions - add a comment to the Wall. If you have any thoughts about this feature - add a comment to the Wall. The Coffee House team will do its best to get involved in the conversations that you start.

CoffeeHousers' Wall 7 December - 13 December | The Spectator

Philippines - The Halal food market

2009-12-10T05:49:00.000-08:00

Its established halal food markets include Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey and Middle Eastern countries, while France, Britain and Germany are emerging as its key halal markets in Europe.

''Twenty percent of the world's population is going to be Muslim one day and they have expectations, they have needs,'' said Van Dijk.

''If they want to be confident that what they eat and drink is in line with their beliefs, then a company likes ours has to make an extra effort to try and meet those needs.''

About 85 of Nestlé's 456 factories globally are now halal-certified but Van Dijk said different interpretations of halal standards around the world were a challenge for the industry.

Muslim jurists do not always agree on what is halal. Islam prohibits the consumption of pork and prescribes how animals must be slaughtered, but there has been debate on the acceptability of non-alcoholic beer, collagen and vinegar.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is working on a single standard to be applied in its 57 member countries, a move that would boost the industry, although politics and varied interpretations may complicate the task.

mb.com.ph

Source: newsroom - meattradenewsdaily.co.uk

Should a Pious Muslim Practice Yoga?

2009-08-18T08:58:00.000-07:00

To the long list of things that everyone else loves but that Muslims are supposed to hate — democracy, dogs, women with uncovered hair — we can now add yoga. A council of muftis in Malaysia issued a fatwa over the weekend banning yoga for Muslims, claiming that the sweaty ‘Oms’ and other Hindu elements of a standard 60-minute yoga class could “destroy the faith of a Muslim.”

For a moment, this news had me selfishly worried. I’ve been contorting myself into reverse triangle across the Middle East for about a decade, and I fretted that all my favorite yoga centers and teachers might get hassled by morality police types. I also worried about my friends who do yoga — if there is one thing the stressed out populations of cities like Tehran, Baghdad, and Cairo really don’t need, it’s the loss of a safe, indoor means of relaxation. Fortunately, I suspect the muftis’ edict comes far too late. Muslims, at least those of the Middle East, have been practicing yoga widely since the mid 1990s, and in some countries the exercise is now as commonplace as it is in blue-state America.

In Iran, where cheerless clerics have inveighed against everything from poodles to the pants-tucked-into-boots look, yoga is popular enough to warrant its own magazines and the government has made no fuss . Across the country, including religious cities like Mashhad, there are thousands of yoga classes held each week, and there is a class for every yogi: for children, the elderly, the overweight, the spiritual. There are contemplative, patchouli-scented yoga centers, austere Iyengar centers for the very serious, and flow classes in gyms for women in chic yoga clothes who just want arm tone.

The Iranian love affair with yoga is a complex thing, born of many factors. There’s the general disenchantment with strict, orthodox Islam and the accompanying pull to alternative forms of spirituality. There are strictures that women face in exercising outside covered, and the appeal of gentle, indoor sport. Add to all that yoga’s global fashionableness and Iranians’ high rates of anxiety and depression, and you have the first genuinely yoga savvy middle-class in the entire Middle East.
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Is Music Therapy Halal or Haraam in Islam - By Dr Zakir Naik

2009-05-31T19:41:00.001-07:00

The speech from Dr Zakir Naik about music halal or haram? To all readers please comment and forward to all Muslim brother for more informative feedback. Thank you

Jakim kesan kegiatan sebar ajaran Qadiani

2009-05-17T20:25:00.000-07:00

Berita Harian Online
Jumaat 17 April 1998 20 Zulhijah 1418
Pembaziran Merugikan Anda
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Click this for English Version

Jakim kesan kegiatan sebar ajaran Qadiani
KOTA KINABALU, Khamis - Jabatan Kemajuan Islam (Jakim) Cawangan Sabah mengesan kegiatan penyebaran ajaran Qadiani yang dipercayai bergerak aktif semula di negeri ini, terutama di ibu negeri, Sandakan dan beberapa kawasan Pantai Timur Sabah.

Kejadian terbaru yang dikesan ialah ketika sambutan Aidiladha lalu, apabila sekumpulan pengikut ajaran sesat itu melakukan solat sunat Aidiladha beramai-ramai di sebuah kawasan yang dipercayai menjadi markas Qadiani di Tawau.

Selain di Kota Kinabalu dan pantai Timur negeri ini, pengikut ajaran itu juga dikesan sedang giat menyebarkan pengaruh di kawasan pedalaman dan beberapa kawasan tertentu di negeri ini termasuk di Kota Marudu dan Pitas.

Penolong Pengarah Jakim Sabah, Mohd Radzuan Abdullah, sehubungan itu menasihatkan orang ramai supaya berhati-hati mulai daripada sekarang sekiranya didatangi oleh individu atau sekumpulan orang yang berada dalam keadaan mencurigakan serta mengajar pelajaran agama yang mengelirukan.

Dalam masa sama, orang ramai diminta segera membuat laporan kepada Jakim atau Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Negeri Sabah (JHEAINS) sekiranya mengesan kegiatan kumpulan itu di tempat mereka.

Difahamkan, markas ajaran Qadiani di ibu negeri dikesan terletak di Jalan Tuaran dan kedua-dua agensi agama itu sudah berjaya menggagalkan beberapa percubaan anggota kumpulan berkenaan mengadakan aktiviti di sekitar daerah ini.

Dianggarkan terdapat kira-kira 500 pengikut Qadiani yang aktif di seluruh negeri dengan majoritinya adalah rakyat tempatan.

"Kami sudah pun mengenal pasti pemimpin serta mereka yang mendalangi ajaran itu di negeri ini dan sekarang sedang mengatur strategi untuk menghalang kegiatan mereka.

"Jakim tidak akan bertolak-ansur dengan kegiatan kumpulan ajaran ini kerana ia membabitkan soal akidah umat Islam," katanya kepada Berita Harian di sini hari ini.

Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan pada 1975 sudah mengisytiharkan ajaran Qadiani sebagai terkeluar daripada pegangan Islam.

Antara ciri utama ajaran itu ialah mengakui pengasasnya Mirza Ghulam Ahmad sebagai Imam Mahdi dan bertaraf Rasul, serta menyangkal Nabi Muhammad sebagai rasul terakhir.

Cabang kepada ajaran yang berasal dari India itu ialah fahaman Ahmadiah, dan kedua-dua ajaran itu mempunyai pandangan bertentangan dengan akidah Islam khususnya dalam perkara berkaitan wahyu, kenabian, kelahiran Nabi Isa dan jihad.

Jakim sebelum ini menyenaraikan Qadiani sebagai salah satu daripada 49 ajaran dan tarekat sesat yang mula bertapak di negara ini dalam tempoh antara 1970 sehingga 1980.

Radzuan berkata, pihaknya dan JHEAINS terpaksa mengambil tindakan tegas terhadap kegiatan kumpulan itu kerana mereka kini dikesan semakin berani menyebarkan pengaruh di kalangan umat Islam di negeri ini.

Sementara itu, beliau berkata, Jakim akan menganjurkan Kursus Pemulihan Akidah Fasa II kepada 60 bekas aktivis kumpulan Arqam pada 25 Mei ini.

Menurutnya, kursus sehari yang diadakan di ibu negeri itu meliputi pelbagai aktiviti termasuk ceramah, dialog dan tayangan video.

"Kerajaan sentiasa mengikuti perkembangan semua bekas pengikut Arqam di negeri ini bagi memastikan mereka tidak kembali kepada kumpulan asal dan kursus itu adalah sebahagian daripada usaha mengembalikan mereka ke pangkuan masyarakat,' katanya.

Dutch Firm Sees Potential In Malaysia As World's Halal Hub | Halal Journal

2009-05-15T21:11:00.000-07:00

An established Dutch logistics company, which handles shipments of food products, feels that Malaysia has "great potential" to become the world's halal hub if Malaysian suppliers of halal food products did their homework well and build up an effective network abroad. VAT Logistics, which is based in the port city of Rotterdam and with branches in several countries, said it has been watching closely the progress made by Malaysia's processed food industry. "We have also participated twice in the International Halal Food Fair held in Kuala Lumpur and received business enquiries from halal food suppliers in Malaysia, Indonesia and elsewhere about cold storage facilities for halal food," said Ruud Vat, the company's owner, in an interview at the just-concluded five-day Transport Logistics 2007 Fair held in Munich. Vat, whose company is a customs broker with its own warehousing facilities, urged Malaysian exporters to tap the halal food markets of Europe which has a total Muslim population of about 30 million. "At present, halal food products are sold in small butcher's shops. However, we believe this is going to change once bigger and well-established players step in, a development which is expected to take place soon," he said. "We are, consequently, preparing ourselves for such a change and I believe Malaysia can emerge a key player with its experience in the supply of halal food products and its well-developed infrastructure for halal food production," said Vat, whose staff members regularly visit Asia, including Malaysia. With an eye on securing potential business from halal food suppliers in Malaysia and elsewhere, Vat said his company already has halal certification for one of its cold storage facilities. He said his company could handle food shipments from Malaysia, according to halal regulations. "We have so far been handling shipments of automotive parts from Malaysia, which are stored in our warehouses and subsequently distributed to France, Germany, the Netherlands and other parts of Europe," he added. Along with halal food products, Malaysia's strength also lies in the automotive parts sector

More>>Dutch Firm Sees Potential In Malaysia As World's Halal Hub | Halal Journal

SMIDEC Approved RM15.05 Mln To SMEs In Halal Business As Of March

2009-05-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

JOHOR BAHARU, May 14 (Bernama) -- The Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC) approved RM15.05 million as of March 31 this year for the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the halal industry.

Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said the funds, given through grants for the development and promotion of halal products, involved 253 applications.

Out of these, 165 were applications from Bumiputera entrepreneurs who received RM10.88 million.

"About 60 percent of the applications were for the promotion of halal products, 20 percent for the upgrading of premises in compliance with halal certification and another 20 percent for the development of halal products," Mukhriz said when launching a seminar here today for Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the halal industry.

Mukhriz said the government was very committed to developing the industry, adding that as of March 31, a total of 418 workers from the SME sector had gone through various trainings related to halal business. The programmes were carried out through the Development Skills Centre involving RM220,000 in expenditure.

He also urged Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the industry to be directly involved in the industry as the opportunities in the halal sector went beyond the domestic market.

The annual value of the global halal trade has amounted to RM7.4 trillion while the global Muslim population is 1.6 bilion, he said, adding that Bumiputera entrepreneurs should take up the challenge to develop the industry.

Mukhriz said that while his ministry had no fixed target for increasing the number of Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the halal industry, it should not be an excuse for them not to succeed in the industry.

"It is sad to see that the main producers of meat are countries like Brazil, US, Argentina and China, and indeed in South East Asia, Thailand has already built its name as a producer of halal food products," he said.

"In Malaysia, Bumiputera entrepreneurs are still lagging compared with the non-Bumiputeras...only 423 halal certification applications were received by the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) as of April 30 from a total applications of 1,686," he said.

More>>
BERNAMA - SMIDEC Approved RM15.05 Mln To SMEs In Halal Business As Of March

ECER Enters UK Halal Market :: Bernama.com

2009-05-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 (Bernama) -- Four halal product entrepreneurs from the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) have successfully penetrated the fast growing United Kingdom (UK) halal market.

The companies are Muslim Best Food Industries, GTHerb Industries, Maduria Industries and RMZ Marketing.

The companies are exploring the export of food and beverage products to the UK through the Malaysia Trading House, which is operating in London, the ECER secretariat said in a statement today.

The Malaysia Trading House, initiated by Konsortium Usahawan Makanan dan Industri Asas Tani Sdn Bhd (Komita), is a one-stop trading centre displaying an array of quality halal products from Malaysia.

"The UK halal market offers huge opportunities for Malaysian entrepreneurs, as more Muslim and non-Muslim consumers here, are buying halal products from supermarket chains and other outlets," said Komita's chairman, Sheikh Ahmad Dusuki Sheikh Mohamad.

In response to the increasing demand for halal products, Sheikh Ahmad said that Malaysia Trading House provides the platform for local halal entrepreneurs to enter and explore the UK and European market.

"Through this initiative, we aim to become a leading halal supermarket in London, as well as in Europe," he added.

Located in the historic Borough district in central London, the Malaysia Trading House is promoting products from 52 Malaysian companies, ranging from halal food and beauty products, to household and craft items.

The UK halal market is worth around 2.8 billion pounds (1.00 = RM5.39).

ECER Enters UK Halal Market :: Bernama.com

Malaysia looks to attract Middle Eastern tourists, 14th May 2009 // InterPark Magazine

2009-05-15T06:28:00.000-07:00

Malaysia has a great deal to attract Middle East visitors, including a strong brand name, reasonable hotel rates and a plethora of things for families to see and do, according to one of the country's leading tourism officials.

Abdul Rahman Shaari, Tourism Malaysia regional director for Africa, West and South Asia, said Malaysia was well placed to attract tourists from the Middle East, with its positive image being boosted by the fact that it remains a progressive Muslim country where religious needs were respected.

"Halal food is easily available and the same goes for mosques and musolla. And we're sensitive to the need of having piped-water in the toilet, unlike in some other parts of the world," Shaari said.

Malaysia looks to attract Middle Eastern tourists, 14th May 2009 // InterPark Magazine

World Halal Forum returns to Malaysia

2009-04-17T22:41:00.000-07:00

The World Halal Forum (WFH) will return to Malaysia and the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre for the third time when the 4th WHF 2009 is held from May 4 to 5.
With Saudi chairman of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Countries), Dato’ Seri Sheikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel at the helm of WHF, larger delegations from the Middle East are expected at this year's event.
Large delegations are also expected from South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand plus participation from Brazil, Uruguay and Russia who have shown interest in this annual forum and the Halal industry.
Themed 'Achieving Global Halal Integrity', the 4th WHF will be the biggest so far, in view of the impact and importance of the Global Halal Standard (GHS) as well as the expansion of the forum’s format, said an organiser.
“Halal culinary delights are common nationwide. Being a predominantly Muslim country, Halal food is not only available in Malay restaurants, but also in various cuisines such as Chinese, Indian and Western throughout the country,” said Peter Brokenshire, general manager of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Trade Arabia - Middle East & GCC Business Information Trade News Portal

'Buy Malaysia' Campaign Not A Half-hearted Attempt

2009-04-17T22:35:00.000-07:00

By Melati Mohd Ariff
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- For many among the Malaysian entrepreneurs, there is always an aspiration to see their products being offered for sale on the shelves at hypermarkets nationwide.For Zaleha Mohamad, an entrepreneur of Roselle products, this dream came true via the 'Buy Malaysia' campaign organised by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry held at the Mydin Wholesale Hypermarket USJ, Subang Jaya near here."After three years, I am now able to see my products on the display shelves in the hypermarket," Zaleha a former researcher at Universiti Pertanian Malaysia's (UPM) food technology division told Bernama at the Mydin Wholesale Hypermarket USJ, Subang Jaya recently.GOVERNMENT'S STRATEGYThe Buy Malaysia Campaign launched by the then prime minister Datuk Seri (now Tun) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last Jan 16 was not only the government's strategy to enhance the domestic market for such products amidst the current economic slowdown.The campaign is also to 'open doors' and provide opportunities for local entrepreneurs like Zaleha who might have been marginalised during the rapid growth of supermarket and hypermarket chains in the country.This campaign also provides the opportunity for the Malaysian entrepreneurs to prove their capability in producing quality products with consistent supply.The campaign began at the Mydin Mall in USJ, before being held at the Aeon Jusco AU2 Kuala Lumpur (Feb 17-March 1), Giant (Putra Height, Kuala Lumpur) on March 2 followed by Tesco in Melaka (March 14-22).Datuk Mohamed Elias Abu Bakar, the Director for Development Division of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry said the campaign would be continued nationwide until end of this year.Under the ministry's plans, the campaign would be held next in Sandakan, Sabah (April 10-15), Terengganu (April 23-27), Johor (May 6-10), Kudat, Sabah (May 10-14), Ipoh, Perak (May 29-June 2), Tuaran, Sabah (June 2-7), Kuantan, Pahang (June 10-14), Sibu, Sarawak (June 27-29), Tawau, Sabah (July 1-5), Negeri Sembilan (June 23-27), Miri, Sarawak (July 30-Aug 1), Bintulu, Sarawak (Aug 28-30)and Kuching, Sarawak (Oct 29-21)."This campaign is open to changes. The ministry also plans to hold the Mega Buy Malaysian Goods Campaign in Kuala Lumpur in June or July."It is hoped that this campaign would boost the domestic spending and helps traders during the economic slowdown."If this happens, it would reduce our dependency on foreign-made products," Mohamed Elias told Bernama in his office at Putrajaya recently.OPPORTUNITIESVarious products would be on sale throughout the Buy Malaysia Campaign including foodstuff, garments, electrical appliances and furniture.On the selection of entrepreneurs and products, the ministry focuses on items produced in the state where the campaign is held apart from giving participation to the business fraternity from other states."Our focus is definitely on introducing quality and branded local products that are unfamiliar to the public. We hope many would be aware that there are quality Malaysian goods that have garnered a reputation abroad. An example is the canned drinks produced by syarikat Metro Perda Sdn Bhd."We also hope that this effort would be a boost to the domestic economy. If there are no domestic purchase, companies might have to fold up and workers retrenched," said Mohamed Elias.For entrepreneurs picked to participate in the campaign, such opportunity is actually difficult to obtain. It is also cost saving, as participation is free of charge.Mohamed Elias said the ministry allocates booths apart from providing logistics needs as well as advertisement and promotions."Renting a booth in the supermarkets or hypermarkets could be costly, as it might run to thousands of Ringgit a month. This campaign only requires them to come and sell their products," he said.Mohamed Elias also invited entrepreneurs who have yet to participate in the campaign to sign up.They only need to contact the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry's Business Development Division in Putrajaya or the respective state offices."If their products meet the stipulated criteria, we would invite them to participate in the campaign," he said, adding that the campaign might be extended after 2009 depending on the global economic situation.NOTHING NEWShoppers who visit the Mydin Mall in Subang Jaya could view for themselves the various Malaysian-made products that lined the hypermarket's shelves.Special ledges were also set aside for small and medium enterprises (SME) products from the respective states in Malaysia.This initiative according to the merchandising manager for Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd, Norman Rajen Abdullah, is nothing new.He said Mydin, that started its wholesale and retail business more than 50 years ago, has always given its priority on the locally made goods including that of the SMEs."We have long practised the principle of assisting the Bumiputera entrepreneurs particularly those who face various bureaucracies with supermarkets or hypermarkets."The government has taken the initiative to hold this campaign amidst this current economic crisis and has spent a lot of money on it. Publicity on it is also done through the print media, radio and television. As retailers we should also show our support towards making the programme a success," said Norman.He said almost 80 per cent of the food items at Mydin are locally made despite some bearing international brands."The Buy Malaysia Campaign is more on goods made in Malaysia. There are international brands but made in this country where this provides jobs for Malaysians," said Norman.TAGS AND SMEsMydin went a step ahead by placing 'Buy Malaysia' or 'Malaysian Product' tags to enable shoppers to identify the locally made goods."Not everybody have the time to read what is being written on the labels. The tags would help the shoppers to easily identify the Malaysian products."We also have many SME products. For the foodstuff alone, we have some 1,500 (types of products) and around 4,000 for the non-food items," he said.He said many of the SME products are on par in terms of quality when compared against other products, to some extent are better than the branded goods.He said the turnover of SME products (food and non-food) has shown encouraging results."Last year we recorded a turnover of RM53.4 million as compared to RM27 million in 2007 and RM16 million in 2006. This year we expect a turnover between RM65 million and RM70 million," he said.HELP THE ENTREPRENEURSApart from helping to sell and market the SME products, Mydin also assists the entrepreneurs, among others, by providing courses on awareness and halal practices.For the course on halal practices, Mydin is collaborating with the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC)."The cost to attend such a course is about RM950-RM1,000 but we only charge RM100 for a two-day course including food and lodging," said Norman adding that Mydin provides the premises for training while HDC, the manpower.He said Mydin hopes the entrepreneurs who attended the Halal practices course to benefit from the programme and produce goods that have the best quality including the halal certificate."As a company owned by Bumiputera and Muslims, our operation is based on Islam and we want Mydin to be the first hypermarket to obtain halal accreditation from HDC," he said."Holding halal courses for SME operators is part of our efforts towards obtaining that recognition," he said.In Norman's viewpoint, the Buy Malaysia is able to inculcate patriotism among the Malaysians."We should emulate the Japanese who always give priority to their goods and strongly support their companies. This patriotism spirit should be inculcated at the young age, right from the primary school level," he said.MOVE TO CHANGEBesides the government-provided opportunities to boost the image of local products via the Buy Malaysia Campaign, the entrepreneurs themselves should strive towards improving their capability to control the domestic market and use it as a springboard into the international market.Zakaria Ismail, the owner of Metro Perda Sdn Bhd that produces the 'Perda' canned drinks, said the Malay entrepreneurs should themselves make a paradigm shift if they wish to progress in the field."The brand of the Malay products usually could not last long as many were buried as we do not wish to advance, half-hearted attempts and easily contented. When can we progress?"There were instances when the Malay retailers themselves were not confident with the products made by their own people. It was heartrending to witness this attitude."We were treated with harsh words when we approached our own kind to sell the products. The Malays do not have the spirit to help their own kind," said Zakaria.Perda's products are also featured at the Mydin Wholesale Hypermarket USJ, Subang Jaya.Zakaria said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has done a lot to promote the items made by the Malay entrepreneurs."But for how long the Malay entrepreneurs should do their business at stalls or fields at expositions?" he asked. In Zakaria's opinion, the government should not only 'unearth' the entrepreneurs but also educate them to be quality and reliable entrepreneurs.

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Church throws halal barbie - Local News - Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

2009-04-15T18:43:00.000-07:00

Church throws halal barbie - Local News - Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

AFTER months of disharmony over a proposed Islamic school on the Gold Coast, the Dream Centre Christian Church at Carrara will throw some halal sausages on the barbie and invite their new Islamic neighbours over.
Invitations have been sent out to the Muslim community and civic leaders to attend an Aussie Barbecue Day on Sunday, March 29, in a bid to rebuild bridges.
Tensions flared in Carrara earlier this year as residents and church members rallied against an application for an Islamic school at 19 Chisholm Road, close to the church and the Croatian club.
The Dream Centre joined the campaign, citing social planning concerns, but the Gold Coast City Council silenced critics by approving the controversial school.
Have your say on the feedback form below
Dream Centre pastor Rod Gilchrist yesterday said the church had opposed the development but denied the barbecue invitation was a policy backflip.
"It was never an issue of not wanting to be friends," he said.
"We just felt the proximity of the school to a church and the Croatian club was not smart from a social planning perspective."
He said the church respected the council's decision and was now ready to move forward.
"It's not so much a backflip -- we accept the approval and now we want to work on living co-operatively side by side," he said.
"We are neighbours now and while we can't unscramble the egg, why not make a metaphorical omelette?"

Atelier des Parfums To Participate In MIHAS 2009 :: Bernama.com

2009-04-15T18:40:00.000-07:00

Atelier des Parfums To Participate In MIHAS 2009 :: Bernama.com
KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Bernama) -- Atelier des Parfums, a renowned French perfume company, will participate in the Sixth Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2009 (MIHAS 2009) from May 6-10.The company also hopes that its presence at the event will help promote Malaysia as a global hub for "halal" fragrances and the cosmetic business.Its vice president Hermann J. Portner said : "We are looking at using Kuala Lumpur as the hub from which to conduct our business, not only for the region but globally."Being an Islamic country, Malaysia has great advantages in enabling us to penetrate the vast Islamic market," he told Bernama here.Portner and his partner, Olivier R. Funel, who is the company's president are here for discussions with the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) officials on the plan to participate in MIHAS 2009.He expressed gratitude to Matrade officials for giving a clear picture of the investment climate in Malaysia and assistance in enabling the company to participate in MIHAS 2009.In a show of commitment on plans to expand its halal products, Portner said a company, Alpha-Experts Sdn Bhd was established in Malaysia last year."We are also in the midst of looking for potential joint-venture partners to manufacture fragrances and cosmetics in Malaysia," he said.MIHAS is fast becoming the world's premier showcase of halal products and services.In conjunction with MIHAS 2009, the Halal Industry Development Corp is organising the "The World Halal Research 2009" conference from May 7-8.The conference is aimed at providing a platform for scientists, researchers, scholars and academicians to discuss and exchange ideas on new research findings, emerging technologies, trends as well as issues and challenges in the global halal industry.Meanwhile, Funel a trained biologist, said:"We have been producing the perfume base for most of the major international brands since the beginning of the century."Now Atelier des Parfums is moving into the next phase of its development by distributing high quality bases with a competitive pricing for all perfume and cosmetics companies."This will enable them to launch products by offering the same quality as the big brands but at a fraction of the price."According to Funel, all the perfume bases for the Malaysian and Islamic markets will have halal certification.Funnel also said that Atelier des Parfums is keen to find a distribution partner not just for Malaysia but also the Asean region and the Middle East.

Gulfnews: Cashing in on demand for lifestyle drugs

2009-04-15T18:38:00.000-07:00

Gulfnews: Cashing in on demand for lifestyle drugs

In previous generations the bald, the overweight, the impotent or even simply the cosmetically challenged, generally put up and shut up. Now there are a plethora of answers to many of life's age-old problems in the form of 'lifestyle drugs'.

While most of the lifestyle drugs we see on pharmacy shelves in the UAE are produced by big multinational pharmaceutical companies, local producers are working hard to claim their share of the market.

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These treatments for non-life-threatening ailments are available in pharmacies across the UAE and the region and although sales figures are hard to come by, many within the industry believe there is strong potential for future growth, particularly for local producers.

"The current trends indicate that there is potentially high demand for lifestyle drugs in the region," market researchers RNCOS told Gulf News. Dr Ali Saeed Hussain, director of the pharmaceuticals services department at the department of health, agreed. "The movement and purchase [of lifestyle drugs] is higher than before," said Dr Hussain.

An obvious choice for many pharmaceutical companies is weight-loss pills, and growing levels of obesity within the region are bolstering demand. RNCOS's Saudi Arabian healthcare market forecast to 2012 found that 68 per cent of males over the age of 15 are likely to be obese or overweight by 2015, and 63 per cent of women.

"The UAE is also facing high symptoms of obesity," added the analysts. "Increasing levels of obesity and growing health awareness among the region's population is particularly pushing up the demand for dietary supplements in the Middle East, especially in the Gulf nations. Major growth will be seen in sports, energy and weight-loss categories."

In the UAE the two biggest players in the weight-loss pills market are Xenical, produced by Swiss giants Roche, and Reductil, made by US-based Abbott Laboratories. Although Reductil holds a larger share of the market, both products are battling it out on pharmacy shelves for supremacy in an area where weight problems are severe.

"There is good trust with Xenical because it is a Roche product," claims Ali Habash, general line manager for Roche in the UAE.

Local pharmaceutical companies are also diving into the fray, in an attempt to gain some market share.

"We have a product that will be launched very soon," said Mohammad Abdul Wahab, product manager at Dubai-based company Global Pharma. "This is to reduce fat and carbohydrate absorption. This market is growing very fast."

The new treatment, called Lyner, is to be made available within a week.

Xeincal's advocates however claim there is no locally-produced drug that will threaten their market share yet. "There are no generics for Xenical," said Habash. "It's a brand."

He also pointed out that many of the smaller, locally or regionally produced products are herbal based, and are therefore looked upon less favourably by pharmacists due to the lack of research that has been done on them.

A Mosque Without a Roof

2008-11-25T06:35:00.001-08:00

This is images that I received from email. The location did not mention where and why the mosque was design like that. I believe the idea come from the natural beauty of the sorrunding area that green and peace. So, the mosque able to capture tranquility for all the available jemaah. What do you think?

The Palestinian Representative's Speech at the UN

2008-11-25T06:30:00.001-08:00

'Before beginning my talk I want to tell you something about Moses. When he struck the rock and it brought forth water, he thought, 'What a good opportunity to have a bath!'

He removed his clothes, put them aside on the rock and entered the water.

When he got out and wanted to dress, his clothes had vanished.

An Israeli had stolen them.'

The Israeli representative jumped up furiously and shouted, 'What are you talking about? The Israelis weren't there then.'

The Palestinian representative smiled and said:

'And now that we have made that clear, I will begin my speech.'

Halal Meat! McDonald Vs. Burger King

2008-11-18T19:39:00.001-08:00

Starring Mike Mosallam an Actor and Director from New York city.

Filmed and Edited by Abe Marashi

Mike had the Idea of of going to 2 different McDonald's and getting the reaction of people when he dresses in the full Arab traditional costume of Dubai. After the the first McDonald we passed a burger king and decided just to do our 2nd reaction their and ended up seeing a huge difference in the way they treated Mike.

Yes we have no lives.

Also FYI the Manager in Blue at McDonald's was wrong about their not being any McDonald's in the U.S that serve halal meat, There are a few actually.

Plus the woman in pink at burger king was wrong about halal being meat that doesn't touch the ground. I don't know where people come up with these things!

Big Thanks to the Burger King though that was very kind.

Halal Animal Slaughter - Contemporary Issues - Bilal Philips

2008-11-18T19:36:00.001-08:00

Happy watching from Bilal Philip USA. More in youtube about Bilal Philip speech and forums. Thanks

HMA Halal Monitoring Authority of Canada on CBC

2008-11-18T19:33:00.001-08:00

Halal Food and Certification in Canada

Halal Food in Tokyo University

2008-11-18T19:32:00.001-08:00

Hope this video will help the student and visitor to Japan. Anyway, if you in Japan please add more video about halal in HalalSurf's YouTube.

Halal Food Saves China Muslims

2008-11-18T19:00:00.000-08:00

CAIRO — While China is still suffering from a tainted milk scandal, Muslims in the northwest Xinjiang province are feel confident their dairy products are safe, thanks to their halal standards.
"Halal food is traditional," Hui Li Huang, manager of Urumqi Arman halal food store, told the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday, November 7.

"There are few additives to the food during the processing, so it's safer."

China, the world's most populous country, has been hit by its worst tainted milk scandal in modern history.

At least four babies died of kidney failure and 53,000 children fell sick after drinking milk contaminated by industrial chemical melamine, which was added to make the milk appear richer in protein.

The scandal led to massive recalls of Chinese food products containing milk at home and abroad.

But the Muslim-majority Xinjiang province was safe from the contaminated milk because of the halal food standards.

"The dairy industry is regulated by both religious and government institutions," said Wei Sheng Wang, director of the government's Xinjiang trade commission.

In Xinjiang, food products have to be certified by a local Islamic Council which includes imams trained to make sure the products adhere to halal standards.

The council members and government inspectors regularly visit processing factories to ensure the food safety.

"We don't have contamination at the moment," said Wei.

The concept of halal -- meaning permissible in Arabic -- has traditionally been applied to food.

Muslims should only eat meat from livestock slaughtered by a sharp knife from their necks, and the name of Allah, the Arabic word for God, must be mentioned.

Now other goods and services can also be certified as halal, including cosmetics, clothing, pharmaceuticals and financial services.

Flourishing

Most dairy products in Xinjiang are produced in the province to be used by the customers.

"Other provinces lost control of the milk supply because they had to get their product from middlemen," said Dan Feng Zhang, general manager of the province's largest milk company, Gary Dairy.

"Here in Xinjiang, the enterprises themselves own the dairy farms and follow strict standards, customs and habits of local Muslims."

The halal food standards have increased confidence in the Xinjiang food products, earning it the name of "China's New Zealand", a reference to that nation's small area but large food export capacity.

For example, Ihlas candy factory on the outskirts of Urumqi, have increased candies and snack pastries exports to Turkey and is planning to expand its markets to other Muslim countries.

Halal meat companies also export its products to neighboring countries with sizable Muslim populations, such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Xinjiang also exports halal products to Mongolia, Japan and Malaysia.

The northwest Xinjiang province has been autonomous since 1955 but continues to be the subject of crackdowns by Chinese authorities.

Beijing views Xinjiang as an invaluable asset because of its crucial strategic location near Central Asia and its large oil and gas reserves.

“Leave the world to those who hanker after it, as they leave the Afterlife to its seekers. And be in this world as the bee: it eats only good, produces only good, and when it rests upon anything it neither ruins it nor deflowers it.” ~Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

SC grants two more Islamic fund management licences

2008-11-18T18:52:00.000-08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The Securities Commission (SC) has granted two additional Islamic Fund Management licences to India’s leading fund management company Reliance Capital Asset Management and Kuwait-based Global Investment House, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Leading firms, including Prudential, were using the country as their regional centre for Islamic fund management activities, reaffirming their confidence in it as an international Islamic financial centre, he said.

“There are several other leading firms being reviewed by the SC for licences,” he said in his address at the opening of the 5th Kuala Lumpur Islamic Finance Forum (KLIFF 2008) yesterday.

The event was organised by the Centre for Research and Training and co-hosted by the Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authority and the Halal Industry Development Corp. - Bernama

RFM meat plant gets halal accreditation

2008-11-14T06:05:00.000-08:00

Food and beverage firm RFM Corp. is targeting the Muslim market with its first halal-certified meat processing plant in Cabuyao, Laguna.

In a statement, RFM president and chief executive Jose Concepcion III said that the Islamic Da'Wah Council of the Philippines (IDCP) has awarded halal certification to the meat plant. The IDCP is the only halal certifying body in the country recognized by the World Halal Council.

"It is estimated that over 70 per cent of Muslims worldwide strictly follow halal food standards, and the global halal food market is currently a $560-billion industry. Even non-Muslims look for the halal seal and consider halal certification as a higher level of quality assurance," Concepcion said.

"Halal" is an Arabic term meaning "permissible." In food, it means those products that do not contain any prohibited substance, and have been prepared and processed in accordance with strict standards for purity, nurition and quality.

RFM vice-president for exports Imelda Madarang said that the company's halal certification is supported by the HACCP and "AAA" accreditations, two major requirements for exporting products.

"HACCP or Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point is a system that identifies, evaluates and controls biological, chemical and physical hazards significant to ensuring safety in food products. On the other hand, the triple A rating is a certification awarded after audit of plant facilities by the National Meat Inspection Service," she explained.

RFM has been producing a wide range of food and beverage products for the past 50 years.

Its chilled meat products under the Swift brand include Mighty Meaty hotdogs, Sweet and Juicy hotdogs, Chicken frankfurters, SAM brown hotdogs, Delicious bacons, and a variety of Christmas hams, as well as canned meat products such as Swift Juicy corned beef, Meaty corned beef, Vienna sausage, luncheon meat and meat loaf.

as of 11/13/2008 7:45 PM

Many American meat exporters obtain halal certificate fraudulently

2008-11-14T06:03:00.000-08:00

By Nadia Saleem, Staff Reporter
Published: November 13, 2008, 23:54

Dubai: Ninety-five per cent of American food items found in supermarket shelves in the UAE and some other Gulf countries are not halal even though they may be certified as such, an industry specialist said at the Halal World Expo in Abu Dhabi.

Jalel Aossey, director of Midamar, a US-based international supplier of halal food and foodservice equipment, said that there is a significant flow of non-halal food items in the region from meat-supplying countries, and the Gulf countries need tougher regulations to stop that flow.

"On one side you have producers who genuinely don't know what they have to comply with because of a lack of education from the industry. But you also have companies and exporters that are deliberately defrauding governments and consumers by not complying with regulations because they don't want to pay the fees and the transition costs to make halal products," Aossey said.

Corrupt certifiers

Nearly 1.8 billion Muslims around the world as well as some non-Muslims are fuelling the halal food industry, generating sales of $2.1 trillion annually, according to recent reports. The attractive halal food industry is drawing many dubious players.

"Corrupt certifiers get a taste for the money generated producing "paper halal certificates" for companies without actually performing any work," Aossey said.

On regulatory measures, Aossey said, "People have to realise that it is not impossible, and that it's not too costly to put the correct halal standards in place here. There's a big misconception about how difficult this process is."

Noor Al Deen Abdullah, executive director of Kasehdia, a communications and consultancy company in Malaysia, and publishers of The Halal Food Journal earlier told Gulf News, "The global halal industry is still in its infancy because huge awareness is required, especially in the Middle East."

The major producing nations are Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Canada, Abdullah said, from where halal and non-halal meat is supplied.

Aossey said that inspection teams can be sent to the various countries where food is being produced to allow it to be inspected, at that country's cost. "This is nothing when you consider the huge dollar volume of food products exported to the UAE and other Gulf countries."

In the UAE, 80 per cent of imported food is said to be halal, coming from countries such as Brazil and Australia.

facts

What is halal meat?

Halal (or permissible) in Islam is the meat of animals that have been slaughtered reciting the name of Allah on them and all the blood has been drained from the carcass.

Additional criterion that make meat halal are that the animal should not be dead prior to slaughter, since carrion is forbidden and that the animal is from those that are allowed according to Islamic teachings.

Kelantan plans frozen halal food processing hub

2008-11-13T23:52:00.000-08:00

KOTA BARU, MALAYSIA: Kelantan plans to go big in the processing of frozen halal food by creating a hub to tap local and overseas markets.

The State Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) has been allocated RM17mil to ensure the growth of the industry starting with six manufacturers at the Pengkalan Chepa Industrial Zone.

SEDC general manager Wan Yahya Wan Salleh said the manufacturers were involved in producing sandwiches, curry puffs, murtabak and doughnuts.

He said one of the firms, Mix Green (M) Sdn Bhd, had secured an order of five containers worth of potato chips to the British market. Each container is worth RM30,000.

Wan Yahya was speaking to reporters after a tour of the facilities in the zone.

He said SEDC's concept was to establish cottage industries while the corporation provides marketing and distribution strategies.

Another facility, to be built in Mulim Apam in Pasir Mas, would be the main distribution and export arm for the frozen food produced in Pengkalan Chepa.

Eventually, the concept would see ventures into the preparation of frozen halal meat.

The world frozen halal food market is estimated to be about RM5bil per year.

"There is also a huge demand for domestic consumption, particularly in the Klang Valley, where most of the frozen halal food would be distributed," he said.

MalaysiaKitchen Promoters Eyeing UAE Market

2008-11-13T23:49:00.000-08:00

MalaysiaKitchen Promoters Eyeing UAE Market

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- Following the establishment of Malaysian restaurants under the MalaysiaKitchen programme in Tokyo and London, its promoters are now eyeing the possibility of opening a similar outlet in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"We're looking for Malaysians here, perhaps those already having some experience in operating a restaurant here, with a view to establishing a joint venture with them," said Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS) business planning division head Shamsudin Amir.

As an agency under the Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry and a franchise-led entity in the country, PNS, through its investment arm Malaysia International Franchise Sdn Bhd, takes charge of developing the franchise system for the development of MalaysiaKitchen restaurants, franchises and brands worldwide.

Alluding to the MalaysiaKitchen initiative, Shamsudin said: "It's quite new. Hopefully, we can have more such restaurants."

"Our immediate target is the United States but we're also eyeing the Middle East region," he told Bernama on the sidelines of the Halal World Expo 2008 which concluded Thursday in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi.

According to him, the programme basically provided an opportunity for people to become entrepreneurs.

"But the most important thing is to get someone to run the restaurant because we can't do it ourselves. Basically we can facilitate, we can provide the capital and other incentives," he said.

Shamsudin said it would be good to open a MalaysiaKitchen restaurant in the UAE as there was demand for Malaysian cuisine in the country.

A national initiative by the government of Malaysia, the MalaysiaKitchen programme aims to strategically position Malaysian agricultural produce and agro-based products through the setting up of a strategic network of Malaysian restaurants and retail outlets abroad.

The Malaysian delegation comprising 10 companies and cooperatives as well as officials to the three-day halal show in Abu Dhabi was led by the ministry's secretary-general, Datuk Musa Muhamad.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad: The Appointment of Judges

2008-05-05T06:47:00.000-07:00

Dr Mahathir Mohamad: The Appointment of Judges

OverWhelming

2008-04-26T01:02:00.000-07:00

Dear All,

We have recieved about 50,000 hits per day after launching last March 2008. So amazing and we would like to welcome more reader and members to enchance our web. Please sent in to info@halalsurf.com .Please provide your name, address, email and location for our reference in order to laert you all with latest update of our vision and mission.

Thank you.

HalalSurF.Com

2008-04-25T00:39:00.000-07:00

HalalSurf.Com another web player for halal information in term of product,food,restaurant and systematic way of living in halal way. Halal means legal and non halal is illegal. That describe the simple meaning of halal. For muslim, halal is the must for daily transaction.