Halal Life 2025

Program

INVITATION

Dear Academics

A halal lifestyle is a vital religious principle for Muslims and covers a wide range of essential products and services, both edible and non-edible, that support survival, well-being and quality of life. Beyond providing a foundation for Muslims, this lifestyle also offers valuable opportunities to non-Muslims around the world. Rooted in naturalness and human nature, this lifestyle emphasizes health, cleanliness and sustainability in everyday life, and is in line with the purpose of its existence. This approach has become even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of cleanliness, safety standards and natural human behavior.

Halal products and services not only address the lofty goals of Islamic law, but also align with two important global frameworks: The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles. In light of these dynamics, Lokman Hekim University, home to Turkey's first and only Halal Product Application and Research Center, in collaboration with the Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, the Religious Center of America (DCA), the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) and the Islamic Forum of Halal Accreditation Bodies (IFHAB), organized the “Halal Symposium, Workshop and Networking Event: Contemporary Thinking in the Halal Ecosystem” will be held on March 8-9, 2025 at DCA's Lanham, MD campus.

This event aims to bring together academics, NGOs, halal certification bodies, and industry leaders from both Turkey and the US to enhance bilateral understandings on halal certification and the challenges facing the industry. By highlighting the importance of halal concepts in today's digitalized world, the symposium aims to stimulate dialogue on the broad implications of halal practices on industries and everyday life. By highlighting the academic, ethical, legal, social and conscientious dimensions of the halal lifestyle, we aim to demonstrate that this lifestyle is not only essential for Muslims, but also serves as a “safe haven” for all people globally.

We believe that the discussions and outcomes of this symposium will provide valuable information and data for individuals who have adopted the halal lifestyle. The final declaration of the symposium is expected to provide practical guidance and serve as a roadmap for the mainstreaming of halal principles in all aspects of modern life.

We invite you to join us for this important event and contribute your valuable expertise to the dialog that will shape the future of the halal ecosystem.

Regards

Organization Committee


Committees

Presidents

  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih KANCA (President, Diyanet Center of America)
  • Prof. Dr. Fatih GÜLTEKİN (Rector, Lokman Hekim University)

Honorary Board

  • Dr. Ali ERBAŞ (President, Presidency of Religious Affairs, Republic of Turkey)
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih KANCA (President, Diyanet Center of America)
  • Prof. Dr. Mehmet ALTUĞ (Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Lokman Hekim University)
  • Prof. Dr. Fatih GÜLTEKİN (Rector, Lokman Hekim University)
  • Ihsan ÖVÜT (Secretary General, Standards and Metrology Institute of Islamic Countries - SMIIC)
  • Zafer SOYLU (Chairman, Halal Accreditation Agency, Republic of Turkey)

Organizing Committee (By Last Name)

  • Prof. Dr. Mehmet ALTUĞ (Lokman Hekim University)
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selim ARGUN (Presidency of Religious Affairs)
  • Dr. Medet COŞKUN (Presidency of Religious Affairs, High Council of Religious Affairs)
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huzeyfe ÇEKER (Chicago Social and Religious Services Attaché)
  • Prof. Dr. Fatih GÜLTEKİN (Lokman Hekim University)
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih KANCA (Diyanet Center of America)
  • Prof. Dr. Zeliha Tufan KOÇAK (Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University)
  • Prof. Dr. İbrahim KÜRTÜL (Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University)
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Halide Rumeysa KÜÇÜKÖNER (Dicle University)
  • İhsan ÖVÜT (The Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries - SMIIC)
  • Zafer SOYLU (Islamic Halal Accreditation Forum)
  • Dr. Ahmed EL-ZAREE (Emirates International Accreditation Center)

Academic Secretariat

  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Halide Rumeysa KÜÇÜKÖNER

 

 

 

Contact

Doç. Dr. Halide Rumeysa KÜÇÜKÖNER

[email protected]

Comprehensive Review

Comprehensive Review of the Halal Life Panel 2025


March 8-9, 2025

American Religious Center, MD, USA

Co-organized by the Diyanet Center of America (DCA) and Lokman Hekim University (LHU), Halal Life Panel 2025 was held with the participation of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), the Forum of Islamic Halal Accreditation Bodies (IFHAB), the Halal Accreditation Agency of the Republic of Turkey (HAK), the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA), the US Halal Chamber of Commerce and the Emirates International Accreditation Center (EIAC). It brought together experts, academics, religious scholars and industry representatives to discuss the evolving landscape of halal certification, industry regulation and consumer awareness .

Discussions addressed critical aspects of halal practices, including standardization, regulatory frameworks, challenges in certification, consumer confidence and the expansion of halal markets beyond food into finance, tourism and medicine . This comprehensive panel provided an opportunity for experts to explore how Islamic principles can be harmonized with modern technological and industrial developments while maintaining religious integrity .

Through insightful presentations and thought-provoking discussions, the panel highlighted the urgent need for unified halal standards , the importance of transparency in certification , and the role of academia in shaping the future of halal compliance . In addition, the event addressed the complexities of halal practices in North America, the impact of misleading labeling, and the future of halal tourism and trade .

This report aims to contribute to the broader discourse towards establishing a globally credible and scientifically validated halal ecosystem by providing an in-depth analysis of the key discussions, challenges and proposed solutions presented in the panel sessions .

Day One

Opening Remarks

The panel started with welcome speeches by distinguished speakers such as Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih Kanca, President of the American Religious Center; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Lokman Hekim University; Dr. Mehmet Altuğ, Secretary General of SMIIC; İhsan Övüt and Dr. Zafer Soylu, President of HAK and IFHAB Board Member. The keynote speeches highlighted the importance of halal certification, the need for a globally unified standard and the critical role of academia and industry in ensuring ethical, high quality halal products, while underlining the importance of halal standardization, consumer confidence and global cooperation. They emphasized that halal is not just about food, but extends to finance, tourism, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and more. Speakers emphasized the growing demand for halal certified products worldwide and the need for trust and transparency in halal certification. They also emphasized the importance of collaboration between regulatory bodies, research institutions and industry stakeholders to increase consumer confidence and strengthen the global halal market.


Session 1: OIC and Halal Certification Systems

The first session, moderated by Dr. Mian Riaz, discussed the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) approach to halal certification.

In this session, the role of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in halal standardization and the necessity of a unified certification system were discussed.



  • SMIIC Secretary General Dr. Ihsan Övüt emphasized the importance of the OIC/SMIIC framework in standardizing global halal certification. SMIIC, an intergovernmental organization affiliated to the OIC, is working with its 48 member countries to unify halal accreditation and establish globally recognized standards to ensure consistency and trust in halal products. He emphasized the need to align certification with both Islamic principles and technical standards, and to reduce trade barriers. He also introduced the IFHAB Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MRA), which aims to eliminate inconsistencies and promote international recognition of halal products.


  • Mr. Zafer Soylu stressed the importance of halal accreditation in ensuring trust, reducing costs and facilitating international trade. He highlighted the fragmented nature of halal certification and the need for transparent regulations and harmonized accreditation to reduce costs and facilitate trade for producers. He introduced the Islamic Forum for Halal Accreditation (IFHAB), a new initiative to establish a globally recognized halal accreditation system that aims to eliminate trust issues and trade barriers. He also discussed Turkey's Halal Accreditation Agency (HAK), the accreditation process, training programs and international collaborations.

  • Prof. Fatih Gültekin, Rector of Lokman Hekim University, presented the role of the university in advancing academic research on halal certification. He highlighted how universities play an important role in scientifically validating halal standards through research, specialized programs and collaboration with international certification bodies. He also introduced the Halal Product Application and Research Center. He gave detailed information about the Master's Program in Halal Product Development, the first and only program launched at LHU. He emphasized LHU's commitment to integrating halal principles into healthcare, biotechnology and food safety, positioning it as a global leader in halal science. Drawing from international examples, the audience strongly recommended that the university's training programs be developed to integrate academic and practical knowledge in the halal ecosystem.

Session 2: Halal Certification Challenges in the US


The second session, moderated by Ihsan Övüt, discussed the challenges faced by halal certification bodies in North America and the complexities of halal certification in the region.


  • Dr. Mian Riaz (IFANCA) discussed the challenges of halal food additives in the American food industry and highlighted the difficulty of ensuring halal compliance. Many products contain hidden non-halal ingredients such as animal-derived emulsifiers, gelatin and enzymes, making certification more complex. He stressed the need for greater transparency from manufacturers, stricter labeling regulations and increased consumer awareness to ensure halal standards are maintained throughout the supply chain.

  • Habib Ghanim, together with Aly Ghanim (US Halal Chamber of Commerce), highlighted the widespread problem of misleading halal labels in North America. They revealed that many fast-food chains falsely claim to be halal certified, while some restaurants display expired or fake certificates. Research found that some businesses use supplier certificates that are not intended for restaurant use, creating confusion and eroding consumer confidence. They stressed the urgent need for stricter regulations, standardized certification processes and greater transparency to protect halal consumers and maintain industry integrity.

  • Dr. Mian Riaz, speaking on behalf of Dr. Muhammad Chaudry (IFANCA), addressed the lack of government regulation of halal certification in the US. Unlike New Jersey, which has halal transparency laws, most states lack a clear enforcement mechanism.

Session 3: Consumer and Industry Experiences


The last session of the day, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Halide Rumeysa Küçüköner, focused on the experiences of businesses and consumers in the halal market.


  • Mehmet Emin Tokuç (AFP Food Industry) discussed halal marketing strategies and emphasized that halal branding extends beyond religious compliance to ethical and high quality products. He highlighted challenges such as rising certification costs, lack of standardization, regulatory inconsistencies across countries, and the need for clearer communication from certification bodies. Tokuç emphasized that a solution-oriented approach is needed to make halal food more accessible, affordable and widely acceptable.

  • Finally, Dr. Ahmed El-Zaree (Emirates International Accreditation Center) highlighted the link between halal certification and tourism, emphasizing that halal is a comprehensive lifestyle that encompasses food, travel, finance and ethical business practices. Highlighting the economic and cultural impact of halal tourism, he advocated for better standardization and inclusivity to meet the growing global demand.

Day Two

Day two was open to the general public, focusing on the broader and more practical aspects of halal living. A public panel on halal living was organized and addressed various aspects of halal practices in everyday life. Discussions addressed the ethical, social and economic dimensions of halal and highlighted its impact on daily life, consumer awareness and sustainable practices within the halal ecosystem. Experts emphasized the importance of halal-conscious consumer behavior, transparency in halal certification and the need for continuous education on halal-related issues.

Panel Session

On the second day of the Halal Panel, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih Kanca moderated a special session on the needs of the public.

  • Prof. Dr. Fatih Gültekin gave a presentation on the halal aspects of food additives and examined their compliance with Islamic dietary laws. His talk focused on the challenges posed by modern food production processes where various additives are widely used. He emphasized the importance of comprehensive evaluation and certification to ensure that these additives comply with halal standards. Prof. Gültekin also emphasized the need to create greater awareness among consumers and industry professionals about the sources and processing methods of food additives in order to maintain trust in halal certified products.

  • Prof. Dr. İbrahim Kürtül (Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University) presented on current processes in halal slaughter and highlighted the main challenges in modern, highly automated abattoirs. He highlighted concerns regarding halal compliance, especially in poultry processing, where stunning, cutting and plucking are critical aspects. The use of stunning methods, such as electrical or mechanical means, continues to be a topic of debate among Muslim scholars, with Sharia law dictating that the animal must be conscious at the time of slaughter and die only from the bleeding process. Prof. Kürtül emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring and scientific verification to ensure that industrial halal slaughter practices are in line with religious principles while maintaining consumer confidence and industry integrity.

  • Finally, Dr. Medet Coşkun emphasized in his presentation that halal is not just about food consumption, but a comprehensive ethical and conscious way of living that extends to all aspects of human existence, including earning, trade and tourism. He emphasized the challenges posed by modern production systems, financial structures and global trade in distinguishing between halal and haram. To address this, he emphasized the importance of informed consumer choices, commitment to halal-certified products, and an economic and social life in line with Islamic values. Emphasizing that halal living promotes both individual well-being and societal trust, it called for stronger scientific research, international standards and regulatory mechanisms to strengthen halal principles and increase public awareness.

Conclusion The Halal Life Panel 2025 emphasized the urgent need for international cooperation to address inconsistencies and challenges in the halal sector . Experts emphasized that halal is not only a religious obligation, but also a global economic force that requires transparent regulations, rigorous scientific verification and strong consumer awareness initiatives .



Discussions reinforced that standardization and harmonization of halal certification is vital in eliminating trade barriers and consumer mistrust, especially in regions where there are multiple certification bodies and a lack of regulatory oversight . Furthermore, the role of academia was highlighted as an important component in strengthening research-based halal verification, ensuring that scientific developments are in line with religious and ethical principles .

Moving forward, it is clear that stakeholders across various sectors (government authorities, religious institutions, academic researchers and industry leaders) must collaborate to develop sustainable, ethical and widely accepted halal standards . The panel concluded with a call to action to improve consumer education, increase transparency in halal certification, and expand halal markets globally while maintaining the integrity of Islamic dietary and ethical principles .

By fostering innovation, regulatory harmonization and cross-border cooperation, the future of the halal ecosystem can be secured as a credible, inclusive and ethically sound global standard .

Towards a Unified Halal Ecosystem: Key Insights from the Halal Life Panel


At Halal Life Panel 2025 , industry experts, religious scholars, academics and key stakeholders came together to address the challenges in the global halal ecosystem. They agreed on the following key priorities and actionable recommendations


1. Establishing a Unified Global Halal Standard

Strengthen international cooperation to create a globally recognized halal certification system.

Address fragmentation in halal certification that leads to confusion and mistrust among consumers and businesses.

Expand the adoption of the SMIIC halal certification framework in Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries and other countries.

Strengthen cooperation between the Religious Center of America (DCA), Lokman Hekim University, IFANCA and the US Halal Chamber of Commerce and continue to organize events on halal lifestyle.

✔ Promote the IFHAB Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MRA) to harmonize halal certification and remove trade barriers.

Promote stronger collaboration between regulatory bodies, research institutions and industry stakeholders to increase trust in Halal certification.


2. The Role of Academia in Strengthening Halal Certification

✔ Academic research is of great importance in improving and validating halal certification processes.

Develop academic training programs to integrate theoretical knowledge with industry practices in the Halal ecosystem.


3. Addressing Halal Certification Challenges in the US

Enforce stricter sanctions against misleading halal labeling in restaurants and food businesses.

✔ Consumers face challenges verifying halal status due to multiple certification bodies and the lack of a uniform halal law.

Implement standardized halal certification processes across the US to eliminate consumer confusion.

✔ Strengthen collaboration with local and federal authorities to regulate and verify halal claims.

Establish a centralized national database of halal certified products for consumer verification.


4. Increase Consumer Confidence

Launch consumer awareness initiatives to educate the public about hidden non-halal ingredients and food additives in industrially processed foods. Promote informed choices through clear labeling, halal certification and transparent ingredient disclosures.

Encourage consumers to choose products with no or minimal additives for a healthier and halal-compliant diet.

Ensure transparency and ethical standards in halal certification to maintain consumer trust.


5. Strengthening the Halal Industry

Increase transparency in halal accreditation to reduce costs and facilitate global trade.

Make compliance more accessible by reducing the costs of halal certification for businesses.

Strengthen halal marketing strategies beyond religious compliance to emphasize ethics, quality and sustainability.


6. Expanding the Halal Market and Tourism Sector

Standardize halal tourism regulations to ensure consistency in hospitality, travel and food services.

Develop halal accreditation systems for global recognition and seamless consumer experience.

✔ Develop halal services worldwide to meet growing demand in Muslim and non-Muslim markets.

Develop consumer education programs to raise awareness of the scope of Halal beyond food, covering areas such as finance, tourism, cosmetics and medicine.


7. Institutionalizing Halal and Tayyib Lifestyle through Education and Public Awareness

✔ Provide structured halal and tayyib education from early childhood to university level, together with dedicated research centers, academic programs and public awareness initiatives to ensure that halal principles are widely known and practiced.

Avoid questionable products with uncertain halal status or questionable ingredients to ensure compliance with Islamic principles.


8. Strengthening Halal Compliance in Slaughterhouses

✔ Implement strict halal monitoring protocols in slaughterhouses, ban stunning methods that stun and kill animals before slaughter.

✔ Conduct further research on mechanical bleeding and scalding hair removal, ensuring compliance with halal guidelines or enforcing hand slaughter where necessary.

Require clear labeling of slaughter methods on halal certified products and strengthen cooperation between halal certification bodies and regulatory authorities.

Final Declaration

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