by VK
The halal industry is booming in Russia. Kazan will host the 4th International Summit of Islamic Business and Finances in spring. An exhibition will be organized for promotion, development and invitation of investments in the Russian halal industry.
Halal is a sign for Muslims meaning that a product was processed according to Muslim traditions, contains no components they cannot consume (such as pork, carrion, blood) and considered a product of “spiritual origin”. According to Islam, the only food permissible is halal, other food types are restricted.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), consisting of 57 states, passed new standards for the halal industry in 2010. The standards were adopted in Russia. The OIC cooperates with the Russian Mufti Council. Russia wants to become a member of the global halal industry.
Abdullah Hussein, Executive Director of the Islamic Chamber Research and Information Center (ICRIC), said that the halal industry is a topical issue for all Muslims. Annual trade turnover of halal products totals $2000 billion. Each state is trying to get own share of the sum. If Russia gets at least 10% of the sum, its income will increase by $200 billion annually. Such income would resolve many economic problems, become a boost for economic development in the regions and create new workplaces.
There are over 2 billion Muslims, but halal products are purchased by people from other religions. Halal is not only a food standard. There are halal standards for pharmaceuticals and hygiene products. There are 8 halal services. For example, there is a halal standard for the hotel, tourism and insurance businesses. Some Muslims visit only states offering halal services. A state starting to offer halal services can expect a dramatic increase in Muslim tourists. The same concerns insurance. Insurance companies capable of adopting halal services in their insurance programs will have more clients.
Rezeda Valiyeva, Deputy Director General of the ICRIC, said that halal tourism is peculiar for journeys made according to Islamic traditions. For example, Muslims cannot eat products containing alcohol. A Muslim arriving in a different state needs to search for halal products. Another peculiarity is the praying rooms.
Dinar Sadykov, head of the ICRIC Center for Research and Information, believes that the halal industry is booming in Russia. This is why the state attracts world attention as a place for development of halal on a positive ecological basis. Russia has all it needs for farming the same forage and animals taking into account halal traditions. People were used to being told about the canonical aspect of halal, today there are more delicate moments, backed by science. The modern world is discussing genetic modification. Can products with genetic modifications be considered halal, in Islamic terms? Genetically modified food was banned for Muslims. Theologians say that if a product was modified with permissible plants or animals genes it is halal.
Sadykov says that experience exchange with states with advanced halal industry and its scientific research is becoming topical. Halal is gaining higher demand and becoming more competitive. On the other hand, there are many expenses. The raised profile of halal formed over the years is starting to suffer. So the National Association of Halal Manufacturers decided to unite honest businessmen. Moreover, the Association will protect manufacturers.
Russia can fulfill only 30% of demand for halal products. Only 30% of the halal market is fulfilled in Tatarstan, the figure is lower in other regions. The halal industry needs over a thousand enterprises to meet at least 50% of demand.
Nikolai Krivash, owner of Akashevo, an agricultural holding, explained what halal chicken is. The main requirement when rearing birds is natural food. The raising of birds and their slaughter need to be clean and meet all sanitary and technical requirements. A special halal room is used for slaughtering. People slaughtering birds start by reading prayers. Slaughter for the domestic market of Russia is usually carried out automatically. Halal standards require hand slaughter of birds. This allows all blood to be removed.
