Halal standards have been internationally recognized and impact many industries, like food, medicine, cosmetics, and even finance. However, many people, especially in non-Muslim majority countries, mistakenly think of halal as a religious issue instead of seeing it as a consumer choice or right.
Due to this, displaying halal products is facing issues. For instance, in Catalonia, Spain, with Islam is a minority religion, some companies are hesitant to show their halal certification locally, according to the SER channel. This is because of how it will impact their brand image. Not only that, in some countries where Islam is not a majority, they would think that it is one of the ways to promote Islam to other people.
The Misunderstandings of Halal in Some Countries
While halal certification continues to grow globally, there remain some areas of misunderstanding regarding its meaning in some countries. Following are some of the most common misconceptions:
- Forcing them to accept Islamic law. There are many who believe that the need for halal certification is actually part of a greater push to impose Islamic practices on other non-Muslims. Actually, halal is a consumer choice, no different from other dietary or ethical certifications. In some countries, especially in the West, there is a fear that halal certification is a step toward making society more Islamic. This fear often comes from a lack of understanding about what halal certification really means.
- Only favors Muslims over others. Some adversaries hold the opinion that this exemption places Muslims at an advantage and may affect the livelihoods of local people or increase prices. However, halal certification is no more than a means of responding to market demand, and business establishments seeking such certification actually open themselves up to a wider reach of consumers rather than just Muslims.
What’s true: Halal is all about benefiting everyone
One of the biggest misconceptions about halal is that it’s only useful to Muslims. In fact, the standards behind halal certification offer a lot of benefits that anyone can appreciate, regardless of their religion. The number of people who are conscious about health and the environment will also benefit from Halal certifications.
Here’s why:
Halal Prioritize Hygiene and Safety
More often than not, halal food is cleaner and safer because of their strict hygiene criteria. Therefore, for those who are conscious about what goes into the body, halal-certified products could provide that extra bit of security. Halal certification is also gaining popularity due to these strict criteria. Consumers from different religions are seeking products that have the halal certification on them.
Halal Focuses on Good Ethics
Halal rules make sure the animals are treated in decent conditions in their lives as well as at the time of their slaughter. That is a subject dear to many people worldwide whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims.
Halal Ensure Transparency
Halal means a product is checked and well-qualified. In this case, a consumer would make a good observation from the Halal label regarding its quality check.
Halal is a Right to Choose, Not an Obligation
Halal certification is not about forcing religious rules on everyone, just like kosher labels aren’t for non-Jews. It helps Muslims make sure their purchases match their beliefs, but others can still benefit from it. Many people choose halal products because they trust the quality and ethical standards, not for religious reasons.
Conclusions
In short, halal is more than just religion. It gives consumers a reason to experience more ethical production, health, and sustainability principles that can be taken in by everybody, no matter their faith. Spreading a wider benefit of halal worldwide can help clear misconceptions and a more inclusive marketplace for all. Once the consumers start to understand the greater value of halal products, it might be time for halal to continuously develop and get more recognition for everyone’s benefit.
