Journal of Halal Industry & Services

Halal Medical Tourism and Reproductive Care and Services: An Overview of Malaysian Marketplace

Az Zahara A. Jamal — 2024-11-18

Medical Tourism is one of the most significant industries in a country. It attracts medical tourists due to the successful and effective medical technologies as well as cost-effective healthcare system of a given country. However, a significant need lies in channelling medical facilities to “Halal” or “Sharia-complaint” medical care and services especially when we speak about reproductive care and services (RCS), a sensitive and private aspect in a Muslim’s life since a Muslim’s life should be regulated on Islamic guidelines. Hence, the need of Halal Medical Tourism (HMT) is echoed and efforts are being made for its establishment and realization. This study focuses on providing an overview of Halal Medical Tourism (HMT) constituents and HMT’s role in rendering Halal or Sharia-complaint Reproductive Care and Services (RCS). This paper utilizes qualitative analysis in collecting the contents related to Halal medical tourism studies. The contents have been gathered based on library research. The contents are analyzed further, and the results show that Halal Medical Tourism is an integral aspect covering tangible (Halalan Tayyiban) elements of medicine from medical ingredients (pharmaceuticals), and medical devices to intangible (Sharia-compliant) aspects related to hospital (non-medical) services and facilities. This paper proposes that the processes of a certain medical care or service must also be directed for Halal or Sharia-compliance (i.e. shariah permitted processes and treatment) to build a robust structure of Halal Medical Tourism. RCS, if made sharia-compliant, can be one significant medical domain for the improvement and fast-growth of Halal Medical Tourism in Malaysia.

Uniqueness of Malaysia’s Halal Gastronomy in Promoting Muslim-Friendly Tourism Hub

Siti Syahirah Saffinee — 2024-11-23

Malaysia’s Halal gastronomy, with its deep roots in Islamic dietary laws, presents a strategic opportunity to enhance the country's position as a premier destination for Muslim-friendly tourism. Despite Malaysia's rich culinary heritage, the potential of Halal gastronomy to drive tourism and economic growth remains underexplored. This study aims to fill this gap by conducting a qualitative analysis of the cultural, economic, and societal impacts of Halal gastronomy on Malaysia's tourism industry. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature and qualitative data, the paper provides insights into how Malaysia can harness Halal gastronomy to strengthen its identity as a welcoming and inclusive destination for Muslim travellers.

Exploring the Concepts of Halal and Haram in Islam and Their Scientific Perspective: A Systematic Literature Review

Abrar Hussain — 2024-11-24

Islam is a divine religion with its own concepts, principles, and theories. Major Islamic faiths include believing in the one and only Allah Almighty, the holy books, the prophets, the angels, etc. Besides these basic beliefs, Islam has comprehensive rules that deal with modern-day problems. Thus, the number of followers of Islam is increasing rapidly, and have currently become the world's second-largest religion with more than 1.8 billion followers. Halal and haram are criteria determined by Allah and His last prophet, Muhammad S.A.W., while interpreted by Islamic scholars every time. Halal substances are those that are permissible and allowed for and are free from all the attributes that lead to prohibition. While haram things are those that are not lawful and not allowed as it is the order of Allah that requires you to stop doing them. Islam, being the final and universal religion, has rules and guidelines for things to be described as halal or haram. In the modern scientific period, every individual is looking for research-based arguments and product development. Thus, there is a need to explore how scientific methods are used to explain the halal and haram nature of substances. Currently, various analytical, molecular, and instrumental approaches are being used for the halal certification of items. Hence, this article aimed to provide recent and updated literature about the concepts of halal and haram and how the scientific methods are helpful in their explanation.

Public Health Policy, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Food or Substance Control: A Halalan- Tayyiban Perspective

Rafiu Showole — 2024-05-03

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease are among the top public health threats facing the world today. Meanwhile, alarming rate of NCDs, other health and mental problems strongly linked to sugar and tobacco consumptions in Muslim majority countries is on high record. This paper considers this NCDs prevalence in these countries as ironical in view of wholesome, ethical and healthy Halalan-Tayyiban dietary life styles stipulated for Muslims. Hence, it becomes crucial to: review the existing Public Health Policies (PHP) targeted at control of NCDs; further explore the links between food or substance consumption and NCDs; and offer Halalan-Tayyiban perspectives. This paper aims to highlight the existing public health approaches and policies aimed at controlling NCDs and their risk factors; identify the gaps and concerns in these policies; highlight and draw more attentions to alarming rate of NCDs and related public health threats especially in Muslim countries; and offer Halalan-Tayyiban perspectives after a critical review of the concept. As an integrated literature review study, the paper explores relevant literatures and studies on different aspects of the subject. In order to be moderately restrictive, papers and studies written or published between 2010 and 2023 were selected. Relevant keywords were searched in notable online databases like Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholars, Academia.edu etc. Some gaps have been identified in the existing PHP targeted at control of NCDs and its risks factors. These gaps include needs for public health policies to be more comprehensive and culturally relevant, faith-based, populations tailored, and integrated with Social Determinant of Health (SDH) amongst others. Also, to control the alarming rates of NCDs and related risk factors which are ironically identified in Muslim majority countries: this paper explore the two inextricably linked concepts of Halal and Tayyib; and established that their convergences can inform an effective Halalan-Tayyiban based PHP approach. Hence, a Halalan-Tayyiban perspective, approach and recommendations are offered for various stakeholders in public health policies especially in Muslim majority countries.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) for Edible Oil Authentication

Siti Nur Syahirah Zulkifli — 2024-05-02

Edible oils greatly contributed to the large profits in many food industries because of their household usage for cooking and food preparations. However, the source of oil products raised the concerns of authorities and consumers. The authentication of oil is anticipated to be a crucial and essential undertaking for identifying foreign substances in edible oils. This is vital for safeguarding consumers' rights to confidently use any food product without concerns about its ingredients. For this issue, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is employed as the analytical tool to analyze the oils. DSC provides specific thermal profiles including cooling and heating curves for each oil sample. Several methods have been devised to adulterate oils with various substances, underscoring the need to distinguish between authentic edible oils and those that may have been adulterated. Adulterants are possibly derived from various types of constituents including replacing similar with cheaper or with low quality. Each oil composition demonstrates distinct thermal profiles that can be identified through DSC. Thus, this paper aims to review the use of DSC as an analytical method for edible oil authentication.

A Study on Micro-Industry Women Entrepreneurs in the Obtainment of Halal Certification: Challenges and Success Factors

Afaf Syakirah — 2024-11-19

Micro-Industry Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE) are essential in local economic development. Despite the growing halal industry worldwide, micro-industry participation in halal certification remains relatively low, especially in Perlis. This study intends to explore the challenges and success factors MIWE faces in obtaining halal certification in Perlis, particularly in the food sector. It examined the challenges hindering women entrepreneurs from adopting halal certification for their food products and the factors contributing to their success in this process and implementation. The study employed a qualitative research method for data collection. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen (15) informants involving seven (7) MIWE in the food manufacturing sector, one (1) halal auditor, four (4) agency officers and three (3) halal executives. An inductive-deductive analysis revealed that the industry struggled with a lack of employees to manage halal certification, small market access, insufficient IT skills in handling the MYeHALAL system and a lack of concerns about halal certification among entrepreneurs. The success factors enabling the entrepreneurs to obtain and maintain halal certification included a strong understanding of halal concepts and requirements, commitment and motivation of MIWE in implementation, and initiatives and support from government authorities and staff. This study is crucial as it contributes to a deeper understanding of the critical factors for the sustainability of halal certification among MIWE.

Exploring the Islamic Approach to Halal Science: Analysis of Ijtihad Methodology for Determining Permissibility and Prohibition of Blood Plasma in Food Additives

Saheed Busari — 2024-04-30

The significance of the Islamic principles of Halal and haram to a sustainable society cannot be overemphasized in the current global struggle against socio-economic, medical, and environmental issues. Halal science products and services are becoming attractive to corporate industries, especially in the food industry. Although related studies in the Halal industry have been gaining attention in recent times, with the global economic outlook to hit $4.96 trillion by 2030, little is known about the research that speaks to the fundamental Islamic principles of halal and haram in the food and services industries. Modern industries are conscious of employing workers who can contribute to the sustainability of the business amid the emerging contemporary realities. This study explicates contemporary Ijtihad methodology of Taḥqīq manāt al-hukm (verifying causal effect existence) and takhrīj manāt al-hukm (coming up with effective cause) in food additives like blood plasma content. To this effect, the study employs qualitative methodology in data gathering and analysis of classical and contemporary literature reviews. This study found that comprehensive Ijtihad methodology and application is a necessity for understanding the modern realities of Halal and Haram in food additives using blood plasma contents.

BSFL As Alternative Halal Animal Feed

Mohammad Aizat Jamaludin — 2024-10-15

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as a bioconversion agent in converting organic waste into nutrient-rich biomass makes it a valuable alternative and sustainable protein source for animal feed formulation, addressing the high cost of traditional protein sources. Despite its nutritional benefits, the halal status of animals fed with BSFL is primarily concerned due to the impurity of larvae consumption. This study discusses the halal implications of feeding livestock with BSFL according to the Islamic jurisprudence. Findings suggest that animals predominantly fed with BSFL could be classified as al-Jallalah as feed of these animals are filth, requiring a quarantine process to eliminate any unpleasant effects on the animal’s meat or milk. If these effects are removed, the animals are permissible for consumption. The study concludes that while BSFL consumption is forbidden for mankind, its use as animal feed is permissible under the Islamic law, with necessary precautions are taken to maintain the halal status of the animals.