Japan Satisfies Halal Appetite

CAIRO – Meeting a high demand among Muslim residents and tourists, restaurants in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, are expanding to satisfy a growing appetite for halal foods.

“Halal foods are currently delivered only within the 23 wards of Tokyo, but we want to expand the delivery area,” a member of the Halal Deli’s staff told The Japan Times on Friday, June 21.

Halal Deli is one of new restaurants in Tokyo that opened recently to meet a growing demand for halal food from Muslim tourists from neighboring Indonesia and other Muslim countries.

The halal restaurants supply Malaysian, Indonesian and Turkish food.

Their most frequent customers are companies that have Muslim employees and visitors as well as tourists.

The Japanese government recently made tourism from Southeast Asia a priority and is preparing to relax visa requirements to lure more people from the region.

The remarkable change comes as new studies revealed that the number of Muslims worldwide is expected to exceed two billion in 2030.

“In our primary plan, we estimated about 200 orders monthly, but now we receive over 500 per month,” says the staff member at Halal Deli.

“We plan to get more contracts and we hope the service will eventually be expanded to other cities.”

The concept of halal, -- meaning permissible in Arabic -- has traditionally been applied to food.

Muslims should only eat meat from livestock slaughtered by a sharp knife from their necks, and the name of Allah, the Arabic word for God, must be mentioned.

Muslims do not eat pork and consider pigs and their meat filthy and unhealthy to eat. Alcohol is also totally forbidden for Muslims.

Now other goods and services can also be certified as halal, including cosmetics, clothing, pharmaceuticals and financial services.

Success

Before halal food expansions, Fauziah Fauzan, an Indonesian Muslim, had to worry about the food served in restaurants and if it was permissible according to Islamic faith.

To avoid predicament, she had to resort to fish or strictly vegetarian meals.

“I didn’t have to worry if what I was eating was allowed or not,” said Fauzan, 42, a member of a group of about 30 education officials from Indonesia who came to Japan to visit schools.

“It would be great if halal foods were available in other areas.”

The Japanese government efforts to ease access to halal food guaranteed a growing share of Muslim tourism.

“There are many Muslims who would like to visit Japan, but the concern about the food is the main reason why they have second thoughts,” said Mina Hattori, the leader of Fauzan team and an associate professor at the School of Education and Human Development of Nagoya University.

“I think that if halal became more available, the number of Muslims visiting Japan would increase.”

Islam began in Japan in 1920s through the immigration of a few hundreds of Turkish Muslims from Russia following the Russian revolution.

In 1930, Muslims number reached about 1000 of different origins.

Another wave of migrants who boosted the Muslim population reached its peak in 1980s, along with migrant workers from Iran, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Japan today is home for a thriving Muslim community of about 120,000 Muslim, among nearly 127 million in the world's tenth most populated country.

Halal food on verge of boom with rise in Muslim visitors

NAGOYA – Halal food, the only type Muslims are permitted to eat under Islamic law, is in hot demand, say managers at Halal Deli, which delivers boxed lunches to devout Muslims in Tokyo.

“Halal foods are currently delivered only within the 23 wards of Tokyo, but we want to expand the delivery area,” a member of the deli’s staff said.

The shop, based in Koto Ward, opened to meet growing demand for halal food from tourists from Indonesia and other Islamic countries.

A group of about 30 education officials from Indonesia in Japan to visit schools were licking their lips during a recent lunch break as they tried some curry from Halal Deli in a room at the nearby National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.

“It’s delicious,” one said.

“I want some more,” said another.

Halal Deli signed contracts with three restaurants in April to supply Malaysian, Indonesian and Turkish food. They also decided to expand by launching phone and Internet-based delivery services.

Their most frequent customers are companies that have Muslim employees and visitors, and tourists.

On the menu you can find about a dozen “bento” (boxed lunches) containing chicken, rice and Japanese foods.

The concept of halal does not only prohibit pork and alcohol as most people think. It can also ban consumption of beef, lamb or chicken if the meats are not processed according to Islamic custom.

When this happens, they become “haram” or forbidden — the opposite of halal.

Some seasonings or condiments, like “mirin,” a sweet cooking sake used in Japan, can also be designated haram.

“I didn’t have to worry if what I was eating was allowed or not,” said Fauziah Fauzan, 42, another of the visiting Indonesian officials.

“It would be great if halal foods were available in other areas.”

After visiting Osaka and Nagoya, Tokyo was the first place they found restaurants or dining services that offered halal food, said Fauziah, who by then was resorting to fish or strictly vegetarian meals.

The leader of the team, Mina Hattori, an associate professor at the School of Education and Human Development of Nagoya University, said the last time they had a group of visitors from Indonesia, she had to prepare about 50 halal lunches with only the help of Indonesian students at the university.

“There are many Muslims who would like to visit Japan, but the concern about the food is the main reason why they have second thoughts,” said Hattori, who has conducted research on Islamic education. “I think that if halal became more available, the number of Muslims visiting Japan would increase.”

The Japanese government recently made tourism from Southeast Asia a priority and is preparing to relax visa requirements to lure more people from the region.

“In our primary plan, we estimated about 200 orders monthly, but now we receive over 500 per month,” says the staff member at Halal Deli. “We plan to get more contracts and we hope the service will eventually be expanded to other cities.”

How One Woman Revolutionized Halal Food in Canada

Some great ideas need just one thing: a person that is dedicated to carrying it out.

That's exactly who Salima Jivraj, the founder of Halal Foodie and the Halal Food Festival in Toronto has become. Being a part of one the largest Muslim community in Canada, Salima has used her food and marketing abilities to bring the Halal food industry, valued at over a billion dollars, to the 21^st century.

Sounds like serious stuff, right? You wouldn't know it if you saw Salima and her team, who seem to be having fun with their brand.

But is it all fun and feasting? Hardly. As the plans are in motion for the only Halal Food Festival in Canada, Salima and her team have partnered up with Muslim Welfare Centre of Toronto, a service center that offers meals on wheels and has an active food bank.

Here is my interview with Miss Halal Foodie herself, who shares how she is giving back to her community with her great idea while still having fun.

What made you start Halal Foodie?

Two years ago, just after having my second child, I wanted to do something that would utilize my years in the marketing industry, give back to the community and focus on something I'm passionate about. All things pointed to halal food so after a bit of research, found a great niche that was currently not being served and decided to start a website that focused on answering the need for more information on the Toronto halal food scene. My plan is to create a central hub for halal food in Toronto first and then spread to other Canadian cities.

You are helping halal food come into the 21^st century.How has social media helped with the growth of Halal Foodie?

Deciding to focus on social media was both an economical decision and strategic one as well. Social media is inexpensive but it's also a skill to execute properly. By utilizing both social media and search engine optimization I've managed to increase traffic to my site with minimal investment, a huge bonus as a mom of two who also has a full time job with very small startup capital to invest. After two years of hard work, I am finally at a stage where I can grow into what I had envisioned.

I've also been blessed with a strong and loyal following -- it's been great meeting new people with their own strong passions; something not so easy to do with other marketing channels. Learning what people want by spending a lot of time just listening has helped shaped the way I provide information to them.

My business model is based on advertising; companies want to advertise with halalfoodie.ca because we are able to draw in large numbers from a very targeted demographic. Social media has helped provide statistics and proof that halalfoodie.ca is a good platform for advertising to anyone that wants to speak to our audience.

How has the industry reacted to your writing and reviews?

Since day one I've had nothing but support, encouragement and shared excitement over halalfoodie.ca. I think people were waiting for something like this and the community has shown a lot of support. Specifically with the industry, restaurant owners tell me all the time that their business has increased and they are really grateful for the exposure. I had a call from one restaurateur recently saying that their business increased by at least 25 per cent and after four weeks is still bringing in new customers. Hearing that I could help a business that was struggling before gives me that push to keep going and it's a huge motivator for me with halalfoodie.ca.

How and why did you come up with the concept of the Halal Food Festival?

There are other cities around the world hosting halal food festivals that are targeted to consumers. I remember thinking to myself after seeing a YouTube video for one that took place over the summer of 2012 in New Jersey, "I wish someone would throw a festival here -- I would totally go to that!" I took some time to think of who could possibly put something together and there was really no one else I could think of that could do it the way I expected it to happen. It had to be professional and reflect the diversity of our city. Halal Food Festival Toronto also has to be interactive and cater to the Muslim demographic so introducing family friendly areas such as a Kids Zone and Baby Lounge was a must. I took the idea to my husband and he jumped on board. After that, we knew we needed more help and quickly brought on four more members who have been an integral part of the organization.

Our key members are all experts in their respected fields and we all share a passion for food and the importance of halal.

On a high level, the festival is a way to showcase what we have and inspire more growth. It also serves as way to educate people and encourage the importance of eating halal in a fun and interactive way.

How is the Halal Food Festival involved with Muslim Welfare Centre?

We really wanted to align ourselves to an organization that focused on the local community. We did some research and loved the amazing programs at Muslim Welfare Centre of Toronto. We were really impressed with their food bank, iftar baskets during Ramadan (iftar is the meal after breaking ones fast after sunset) and their halal version of "meals on wheels". They are a hands-on organization and operate right on the front lines of their programs. We are also going to discuss more ideas on how we can help them through halalfoodie.ca once the festival is over as their needs spread year round and we feel it's imperative to help their cause after the festival as well.

Halal meat withdrawn from 18 schools in Luton

Halal meat has been taken off the menu at 18 schools in Luton after concerns were raised by Muslim groups.

Luton Borough Council, which has served the meat in schools for 15 years, said it had suspended the service while it looked into how the meat was certified.

The decision followed a meeting with Luton Council of Mosques and Sunni Council of Mosques.

A council spokesperson said it did not relate to the "safety of the food or whether it has been contaminated".

Children at the schools affected by the decision, which was made at the end of April, are being served vegetarian meals while the checks are being made.

"Our suppliers have provided us with certificates to show that the meat complies with requirements to be designated as halal," the council spokesperson said.

"The issue focuses on the interpretation of how halal meat is certified "We are therefore seeking clarification from the certification body."

Halal Research Council expand its international network

To meet the needs of awareness & promotion of Halal Industry Worldwide, Halal Research Council adds five new strategic partners to its network by signing an agreements with them in January 2013, so that, the concept of Halal and Halal food requirements to be fulfilled effectively. Halal Research council’s new strategic partners include Islamic Development & Research Academy (Belgium), Kenya bureau of Halal certification (Kenya), Halal Tech (Iran), Rangoon Consultancy (Pakistan) and Islamic Information & Documentation Center (Austria). The purpose behind strategic partnership is to take international Halal industry in confidence for the promoting Pakistan’s Halal market & industries. It should be noted that world’s Halal product is worth 2.3 trillion Dollars. As Pakistan is an agricultural country and due to its excellent livestock and 100% Halal products, it has an opportunity to be introduced as a Halal products leader, through which its foreign exchange can be increased by minimizing the trade deficit of Pakistan, which is the basic need of time right now.

M. Zubair Mughal- Chief Executive Officer of Halal Research Council said that Allah Almighty has given Pakistan a unique status in the world because of its strong Shariah principles.  Pakistan is the only country where 100% Halal products are available and due to this Pakistan's Halal industry has achieved an illustrious position in the world market. By taking its full advantage, we can Export Pakistani products with Halal logo to world's 2.3 trillion Dollars worth market. Halal Research Council has played a prominent role for the promotion of Halal industry. In the continuation of its services and taking a step forward, it will be arranging a conference on "Halal Tourism" in the near future. So that Muslims from different countries can get the understanding and awareness about Halal Tourism industry. He also said that Halal Research Council is the only institution of Pakistan whose Halal services are simultaneously available in 20 countries. He stated that Halal Research Council's strategic partnership network comprises on institutions from America, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Kyrgyzstan, Italy, Philippines, Brazil, Germany, India and Pakistan.  This year they had welcomed institutions from four new countries i.e. Kenya, Australia, Belgium and Iran; which is an honor for Pakistan. The main aim of this strategic partnership is to promote the online Distance Learning Program on Halal Industry. So that, Professionals of Halal and Food Industries get benefit from this diploma.