Page 10 - Diplomatic Voice 2014 -3

FORUM crucial to Malaysia for its post- the halal sensibilities across urban people-driven or people-centric eco- liberal economic ambitions could be spaces throughout the globe. nomic catalysts. This is possible, materialised. This measure has in- Rushdi Siddiqi contends, as the corporated a number of mega projects An elementary instance of this halal former is looking for compliant oppor- and events such as the first Malaysian benchmark ‘hegemony’ could be tunities and the latter is looking for International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) identified in the polemic of animal compliant financing. Thereby, the role in 2004, the establishment of the Halal stunning before slaughter. From 2008, of ethics could be enhanced within the Industry Development Corporation Malaysia has been actively involved in Islamic financial institutions through (HDC) in 2006, as well as the partner- the partnership with the OIC to deve- the support of halal local businesses, ship of the state religious apparatus, lop the international halal standard especially in providing the alternative which is represented by the Malaysian whereby within decades both entities financial assistance for them to export Department of Islamic Development were totally against the stunning pro- to the emerging Muslim world mar- (JAKIM), with Nestle, the giant Swiss cedure. In 2010, the OIC’s Islamic Fiqh kets. As a result of this convergence, food producer. Academy in Jeddah surprisingly non-Muslim countries with Muslim announced the permissibility of such minority populations ranging from The above mentioned strategies have measure. This opinion has however United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong allowed Malaysia to draw into the been reluctantly followed by Malay- Kong, Luxembourg, France and international halal market as a new sia’s certification regime. Even though Australia, that are now hubs for Islamic ‘hegemonic’ force within the transna- it does accommodate the pre-slaugh- finance services, could possibly tional sphere. This global drive mani- tering stunning procedures, the mea- emerge as the new hubs for halal fests itself in two major forms of sure is not taken without some strict industry as well. Malaysia, with its foreign economic influences and being conditions. Interestingly, the National credible reputations within these two the reference on halal certification. For Halal Food Group (NHFG) in the UK, important economic sectors along instance, the plan to establish a link who manages to obtain recognition with its existing ‘hegemonic’ influence between the halal designated Port from its Malaysian counterpart, issues within the new post-liberal contexts, Klang Free Trade Zone with the halal the halal certificates only to specialist might be able to play a vital role to designated Port of Rotterdam, Nether- stores whereby non-stunned meats achieve the intended convergence of lands is to enhance the Malaysia’s are off the shelves. the various branches of halal industry. economic influence in Europe. In term of certification, the National Halal Despite halal food, Malaysia has Ahmad Badri Abdullah is a Food Group (NHFG) for instance has currently developed the internationally Research Fellow at IAIS received an award from the Malaysian recognised standard for the other type Malaysia, with a focus on maqasid al-shari’ah (the Chamber of Commerce for introducing of products ranging from pharmaceu- higher objective of Sha- halal certificates into the mainstream ticals, vitamins, toiletries, to nutrients ri’ah), usul al-fiqh, and supermarkets in the United Kingdom. and oils. This will allow for further contemporary Islamic Parallel situations are also evident in promotion of halal as an inclusive jurisprudence discourse, particularly in the subject of systems thinking current development in France and global concept by which Malaysia’s and its application in Islamic philosophy of Germany. Quite recently, an agree- global influence, rendered by the law. After obtaining his degree in Shari’ah ment has been achieved by the Malay- post-liberal political surrounding, (UM), he was attached to the School of sian Port Klang Free Trade Zone with might be considerably enhanced. Humanities, USM and then Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, Academy of Islamic halal companies in Ningxia, China. Studies University Malaya as a graduate Through this cooperation, the China- Furthermore, as Jonathan A.J. Wilson research assistant and tutor. He taught various Malaysia Halal E-commercial Center suggests, Islamic finance should also subjects in Shari’ah studies including the and the International Halal Certificate be viewed as part and parcel of the Introduction to Shari’ah Studies, Fiqh al-Ikhti- laf (The Art of Disagreement in Islam), Fiqh Service Center will be established in halal industry, namely, halal finance. al-Jinayah (Islamic Criminal Jurisprudence), Ningxia. This will definitely widen Nonetheless, he argues whilst the ‘Urf (custom), and Maslahah (public interest). Malaysia’s sphere of influence to the halal commodities need to satisfy 100 He is currently pursuing his PhD in the study largest halal food exporter within Asia. percent of halal requirements, so as to of maslahah, maqasid al-shari’ah and their relation to systems thinking and philosophy. be granted with a halal logo, the These influences have eventually current situation of Islamic banking culminated into the development of and finance services are sub- new cultures of consumption and the stantially different. In order to over- identity claims by Muslim communi- come this predicament, he suggests ties across countries. Johan Fisher that Islamic finance should be taking concludes that Malaysia’s attempt of the lead in the halal industry. The con- becoming the leading player within the vergence of Islamic finance services global halal industry has developed and halal markets will turn out to be 10 bulletin@idfr.gov.my