Halal food authority?

Editorial Published February 26, 2015

IT is really a task cut out for the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Taking a decision on which food is forbidden and which is halal should not be the responsibility of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Yet, the latter ministry is now seeking the creation of a ‘halal food authority’ that would be empowered to ban the import and sale of foods it believes may contain ingredients prohibited by religion.

The fact that the ministry took the matter before a National Assembly standing committee is evidence that the officers running its affairs are completely out of ideas when it comes to the promotion of science and technology in the country.

Know more: Haram ingredients in most of imported food items

Surely, it would have made far more sense for them to have pointed out the deficiencies in science education in Pakistan, or to have discussed the absence of research.

Even if the ministry preferred to focus on food quality, there are areas where its input would have been appreciated. For example, it could have concerned itself with food safety.

The country’s waterways are heavily contaminated with pollutants of various kinds. Industrial effluent and raw sewage are used for irrigation purposes in many parts of the country, and negatively affect agricultural produce.

Then, there are entire districts that have a high incidence of hepatitis from contaminated water. Any government would be alarmed at the potential health risk to its citizens.

Not so the officers of the science and technology ministry; along with some parliamentarians, they have chosen not to dwell on such unpalatable truths.

Once again, the question of halal food should be left to the religious affairs ministry, with their peers in commerce being empowered to take action. It is strange that the matter was referred by the National Assembly speaker to the Standing Committee on Science and Technology.

The ministry concerned would be doing everyone a favour by focusing on its mandate to promote research and technology in the country, instead of delving into faith-based issues.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2015

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Malik

Feb 26, 2015 02:28am

Both the ministry should be abolished as pure waste of money. The local slaughter houses should be monitored by a veterinarians who should be well versed both in modern slaughtering techniques, hygiene vis-a-vis Islamic way of slaughtering animals. Australia has employed lots of Muslims in such field.

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DrTK

Feb 26, 2015 06:33am

This country is being turned into a farce. We are being stifled by religiosity by people who are less than angels!

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Cricket Junkie

Feb 26, 2015 07:11am

All of God's creation is 'halal'!

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Ali Vazir

Feb 26, 2015 10:10am

Dear Ed, once again a very well written editorial. Let me take this opportunity to highlight the tremendous potential of Halal Food industry, rather HALAL industry which is a multi-billion dollar one with exponent growth. From food, to cosmetics, leather goods, medicines and other pharmaceuticals, HALAL plays a very important role. Another thing the world has realized that a product marked HALAL means not specifically for Muslims, but is definitely better than others for all and sundry. Pakistan is in an ideal position to benefit from this idea as Made in Pakistan, marked HALAL would be easily acceptable as compared to Made in China, Denmark etc.

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SharifL

Feb 26, 2015 10:18am

The last paragraph says it all. Science research and educations are more important than the subject in hand. I personally think there is no difference in taste or energy needs if the food is not halal. When I came to Europe, did not eat any other meat, but slowly I also ate non halal food, although mostly consume halal. I had another reason to change. If you want to live in west and have contact with others, it is very difficult to always insist on halal, as that discourages others to make friends with you. If we are world champions in dishonesty and corruption and still call ourselves Muslims, eating food bought with honest means and hard work will not change my beleifs or character.

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sikander

Feb 26, 2015 11:14am

agreed with u.

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Feb 26, 2015 12:04pm

There is no need for a "Religious" Ministry or the Ministry for science and technology. Let people deal with their religions and let the private enterprise and the individuals develop and manage technology. Innovation and personal liberty does not develop in a controlled environment. The government controls need to be eliminated so that Pakistan can breathe and progress

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purple

Feb 26, 2015 01:32pm

HALAL dose not confined to foods but also the concern authorities should check other items like cosmetics, leather goods, medicines and other pharmaceuticals, i think Indonesia went ahead with HALAL research and concept, they also apply it even for papers used to print Holy Quran and Islamic publications. Muslim countries should work to gather to identify what is HALAL and not

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abraKadabra

Feb 26, 2015 01:42pm

@SharifL Very well said... bcos religion is a personal thing...it is a private matter between you and your creator...I don't understand why people, or state have to interfere in this

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Fraz

Feb 26, 2015 01:51pm

Even the so called halal food being sold in our streets is not halal. Adulteration ,unhygienic ,contaminated stuff is openly sold and nobody cares to implement the related laws. Our energies and resources needs to be concentrated on real issues but religion is considered as the only important item on our national agenda. The majority of this country population does not consume the imported food items detected as non halal but still Authority is being planned .

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kash

Feb 26, 2015 02:06pm

What next? Stunned or unstunned meat. Thats a big topic over here in the UK.

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masood

Feb 26, 2015 02:48pm

this is an important issue and should not be taken lightly. Muslims have to abide what is allowed and what is not.

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fareed

Feb 26, 2015 03:20pm

Good step by government as globalization is inevitable the imported food will become very common item for households. Nevertheless the same ministry should also monitor food safety as well.

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Minto

Feb 26, 2015 03:40pm

Apropos to Mr SharifL: I live in Europe, and I only eat halal food. I have many non-Muslim friends and colleagues, and my halal food habit is no hindrance to making friends here. As I speak, I am working in a room where there are two Christians (one vegetarian and one eats meat), one Jewish person (who is a practicing Jew and eats only Kosher meat and no sea food). We are colleagues and friends, and have lunch together but never bicker over halal/kosher/veg food. Based on my experience, it's intellectually dishonest to say one has to eat non-halal food to make friends in Europe.

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Nafees Ul Haq Saqib

Feb 26, 2015 04:08pm

@Minto Very good answer. I agree with you

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HZR

Feb 26, 2015 05:34pm

@Ali Vazir When science abjures consumption of meat as harmful and reccomends that it should eaten in moderation if at all here is whole industry devoted to consuming meat slaughtered in unhygenic and ethically questionable ways.

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SharifL

Feb 26, 2015 10:03pm

@Minto You have not read my post fully. Read it again. I can give counter arguments, but it will not help and know you won't change. I see this. I invite a Swiss couple and serve them halal, which they HAVE to eat. I go to them and say they have to cook halal or else. That is called one way street or one track mind. But carry on regardless.

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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali

Feb 26, 2015 10:54pm

This report is fraud. It is too little too late. Why a ministry has to conduct this sort of research. if any one can call it a research. The ingredients are written on each package. Instead write to the respective country Food and Drug Agency and they will levy heavy fines if guilty. Government should stop this circus for cheap publicity.

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Woz Ahmed

Feb 27, 2015 06:57am

Considering Isreals involvement in the tech industry, for example Intel chips are designed and fabricated there, is my PC halal ! If not what do I do ?

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