Govt. and Ulamas reiterate -‘halal certificate’ voluntary

7 February 2013 12:19 pm - 46 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Government and the All Ceylon Jaamiyathul Ulama (ACJU), reiterated today, that obtaining of the halal certificate is voluntary and the entire process is based on International specifications.

Leader of the House and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, on behalf of the government, made a detailed response today to Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who asked the government to take steps to ease religious tension. In his statement the previous day, Mr. Wickremesinghe said that the ACJU, the apex body of Muslim clerics, had no legal power to issue Halal certification on business ventures.

The minister said that anyone had the right either to reject or accept Halal certified food items, but nobody would be allowed to impose it on another.
Mr. de Silva replied that ACJU campaigned vigorously for Sri Lanka in Geneva last year, and the government remained ever grateful to them. Therefore, he said the government regretted Mr. Wickremesinghe’s critical remarks on ACJU.

“We regret such a statement against ACJU merely because they refused to act as the cat’s paw of the opposition,” he said.

Besides, the Leader of the House said that Halal certification is essential in international trade; it is followed by some European countries in addition to Muslim countries in the world.

“Internationally, Halal certification is issued by the World Halal Food Council based in Indonesia. It has accredited worldwide organizations to issue such certification. In Sri Lanka, ACJU has been accredited for it,” he said.

As a result, he said, there is no need for the government to give ACJU legal recognition for that purpose.

“It is purely an Islamic religious affair. One has the right to reject or accept Halal food. Yet, we will not allow anyone to impose it on another,” he said.

However, the Opposition Leader disputed this claim and charged that ACJU earned money fraudulently by issuing Halal certification.

“ACJU is involved in a fraud. They campaigned for Milinda Moragoda at the last Municipal Council Elections,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ACJU today reiterated that the Halal certificate was a voluntarily obtained certificate by businesses and refuted “unfounded allegations on the amounts charged for issuing of certificates”

Addressing a news briefing, ACJU Halal division secretary Moulavi Murshid Mulaffer said he regretted the continuous false propaganda generated by various elements regarding the ‘Halal certification’.

“I speak to you with a lot of sorrow. We don’t understand the reason or the motive behind these false allegations regarding the Halal system. This is a very transparent process and all our accounts have been duly audited and submitted to the government. All allegations to the effect that this is a multi-million rupee business are totally false” he said.

Moulavi Mulaffer went on to add that the Halal division is not a company or a business but an association which provides services.

“Like any other association we charge a fee for the services provided. Each product that is under the Halal certificate would cost less than ten cents and there are no instances of this being passed to a general consumer” he said.

Speaking further the cleric, explained that according to Islamic law, every “process” must be Halal, thus the reason for mineral water, cake and other products to fall under the scope of the certification.

“The Halal certificate for cake is given to certify that the cake is free of any additives that have been considered haram. The need for a Islamic certified banking rests on the need to have a banking system free of interest, gambling and other such encumbrances’ which are prohibited” he said,
In an emotional appeal, the cleric requested all those who need to verify facts to contact the Jamiyathul Ulema and they will furnish them will all facts and figures regarding the process.

“ We urge any party to come to us and talk to us,we are ready to dispel all these myths and falsities that are now brewing in the country. We want to live in peace with everyone and therefore it is a must that we all be tansparent. We are a transparent organization and we are open to furnish anyone with any details regarding this process” he said.

Speaking at the briefing Moulavi Fazli Farook, of the All Ceylon Jamiyathu Ulama, called for religious tolerance.

“This country has suffered enough due to the brutal war now we have to move forward. Every Muslim in this country was born a Sri Lankan, will live as a Sri Lankan and will die as a Sri Lankan” he said.

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Comments - 46

Gnani Friday, 08 February 2013 06:50 AM

Lets know what is halal then talk about!

API Friday, 08 February 2013 05:20 AM

I LOVE HALAL CERTIFIED

Purasanda Friday, 08 February 2013 05:24 AM

For Krisbo no. Because they are manufactured by Muslims & they always take take Halal Certificate. For Manchee if they wish they can produce non Halal biscuits. Upto them to decide.

Purasanda Friday, 08 February 2013 05:37 AM

Then why this ha ho. If you all vegetarians just ignore Halal. thats it.

Purasanda Friday, 08 February 2013 05:38 AM

Very good. You have that choice too. Why cannot the other idiots understand this.

Romesh Friday, 08 February 2013 05:36 AM

I reject halal products.

Nif Friday, 08 February 2013 05:47 AM

First Budu bala sena Should talk to close all bar lslanwide ,

and also Halal is not a potion .

MFZ Friday, 08 February 2013 06:16 AM

what about the bars and joints.

Citizen Patriotic Friday, 08 February 2013 06:23 AM

all these years you guys ate Biriyani at Buhari Hotel.... only now its an issue ?

Far Friday, 08 February 2013 06:21 AM

you should thanks bodu bala sena..

lame Friday, 08 February 2013 12:00 AM

Its like saying I reject all organic foods because organic food ensures that there is no artificial insecticide or fertiliser in it. Halal is a way of life. snake, crocodile, monkey, frog and parrot for example is not halal. it does not exclude others from eating it. interest paying is not halal so banks developed a profit sharing system similar to venture capitalists. doesn't make those systems bad. why are we such dumwits? via DM Android App

Mohamed Friday, 08 February 2013 06:29 AM

YOU HAVE TO SIMPLY ASK THEM TO PRODUCE ONE

tia Friday, 08 February 2013 02:08 AM

What an accomplishment! Good for you!

Sun Friday, 08 February 2013 06:54 AM

All Sinhalese must avoid eatting Hahal food.After introducing this symble who create problems? Muslims

MZS Friday, 08 February 2013 06:57 AM

It's your choice and we respect ot !!!

Ernest Friday, 08 February 2013 06:57 AM

I'm a Sinhalese and I will only buy halal hereafter. Its time our sinhala modayas come out of the rock they are living under. shame on you

Lobo Friday, 08 February 2013 07:05 AM

Even halal pork?

MZ Friday, 08 February 2013 07:11 AM

Well said..

Rv Friday, 08 February 2013 08:52 AM

yet most of us Buddhist, Hindus eat some form of animal (fish, Egg, Chicken,..) . Who are we to dictate what other should eat. if you do not agree with it avoid it do't try to force it on others

007 Friday, 08 February 2013 12:00 AM

THINK !. their is no vegetation in the middle east, northen and central africa and in the cold places on earth .then what food do we expect these people to eat??? via DM Android App

Peter Friday, 08 February 2013 12:35 PM

Who ever unliked this comment absolute negative minded, I can tell u that..

Hisham Friday, 08 February 2013 12:00 AM

for those missed another fact . these clerics vigorously defended our motherland and asked the Islamic countries to do the same international forums and continuing to do. another is around resolution around the corner. why do we put ourselves under the spot light by creating more discord. neither I nor other Muslim yet to hear Friday sermons stating anything other than how we live in harmony and love our nation cos we Muslim have more freedom here than most countries. via DM Android App

ran one Friday, 08 February 2013 12:00 AM

OUR FOOD IS "KAOONG". I AM HAPPY WITH IT via DM Android App

ramkumar Thursday, 07 February 2013 03:17 PM

We can simply avoid foods with halal certificate, if we don't wont, but don't blame for the issuance for that. No one is forcing to by only halal food. It is completely on the consumers choice.

Sha Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:42 PM

Having the Halal certificate means they don't force u to eat anything dirty.. Its just making sure the food does not contain any product made out of pork and mainly the clenliness.

Mas kanna epa kiyala ape ayama thamai kiyanne, me podi verification ekata ay kaagahanne?

Muhammad Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:00 AM

Halal & Haram are devinely defined. muslims must obliged, others can have their choice. via DM Android App

Elakiri Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:00 AM

So Halal means, they don't add anything.. I thought, they add something to it. #AyyoSalli via DM Android App

dashin Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:00 AM

finally all the Sri Lanka can eat dirtiest things. eat colored rice, poisoned vegetables and even more.. via DM Android App

srilankan Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:00 AM

any one who wishes not to eat halal can refrain. via DM Android App

Ahamed Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:00 AM

munchee, krisbro, mcdonalds kfc n othrs r nt ur brand to say say shud do this, they shud do that.. its a brand owned by someone else.. if you want non halal products then you start your own brand n do so.. like what you can do with your own brand, they can take halal certificate or not which is for them to decide. if one brand doesn't have what you want check with another brand.. simple as that... why create unwanted communal problems without doing that??? via DM Android App

Bell Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:00 AM

@lankaputha Simple solution! U should ask from Crysbro or Munchee etc.. to produce Non halal products as well. But I feel sorry for ppl like you who just make statements without any base. Read the article fully. It says it cost less than10cents. (DM pls publish this comment) via DM Android App

Fanam Thursday, 07 February 2013 02:55 PM

Lot of people make comments without even understanding the subject. There is no halal or non halal for a person who is not following Islam. A Muslim is suppose to eat that is Halal for him/her but that food can also be consumed by anybody who is not following Islam. If something is not Halal, anybody can eat if it does not offend him/her but of course a Muslim will be concerned or avoid it. Companies who does not want to be certified with Halal certificate should carry on with what they are producing as nobody insist them or force them to get one.

Lobo Thursday, 07 February 2013 02:56 PM

So who's forcing you to eat dirty things? Mutton could also be classed as unclean considering what goats eat.

sunil21 Thursday, 07 February 2013 03:09 PM

Buddhism and Hinduism preaching not to kill any animals including human , how can another religion justifying the killing and issuing certificate?

Laminate Thursday, 07 February 2013 03:16 PM

Thanks to the Minister, its also a great explanation by ACJU Moulavi's and Clerics.........

lankaputha Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:31 PM

Simple problem is, can I get Kirsbo Non Halal Chicken ? or Munchee Non Halal Biscuit.

Ghouth Thursday, 07 February 2013 03:18 PM

All Muslims & non-Muslims working in the Middle East eat halal certified food. If non-Muslims want to ear non-halal food then they can have it too...
I must thank Bodu Bala Sena for making this as an issue as all non Muslims now know about what is this Halal?

gemunu wirasinghe Thursday, 07 February 2013 03:23 PM

What Nonsense. Halal is an Islamic religious necessity. Even the Muslim community in Sri Lanka did eat biscuits, chocolates, yogurt etc., etc., without Halal . What is the need now??? It does not apply to 91% of Sri Lankans. On the other hand Halal is the most brutal manner of killing innocent animals. In Europe it is illegal to print religious signs on food offered to customers

Kandian Thursday, 07 February 2013 04:07 PM

well said

dilhan Thursday, 07 February 2013 04:14 PM

I reject any product which has Halal certificate

Muhammad Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:00 AM

Eventhough 80% of Srilankans do not want to slaughter animals, willing to eat dead carcuses of the same. Truth is in action not in boasting. via DM Android App

lankaboy Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:00 AM

for lankaputhra..its easy to make halaal product non halal..just sprinkle little arrack on it..or pig blood.. then u can consume as non halal munchee n.crysbro via DM Android App

donkey Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:00 AM

we may be eating jelly and custard full of animal bone and marrow gelatine. the Buddhists should be having its own halal certification to ensure there are no animal products in the food we eat. it would be a valid certification for all vegetarians as well. BTW Jews have kosher certified products. a lot of frogs in the well here. via DM Android App

Ash Friday, 08 February 2013 12:00 AM

ahhh it amazes me how stupid people are... before you criticize a religion or religious beliefs, first at least learn what it really is.
and how ignorant it is if you ask a Muslim to not look for halal certification? if they wanna follow their religion to the letter, they should have the right to, without harming any other factions of the society... Halal certification isn't a quality standard like SLS or ISO... its merely a religious belief.... via DM Android App

IRS Friday, 08 February 2013 12:00 AM

people have the right to eat any shit they want but no one has the right to tell you dont eat that. i would suggest anybody to mind their own ***** business... via DM Android App

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Govt. and Ulamas reiterate -‘halal certificate’ voluntary

Comments - 46

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