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by MOGAMAT ALI SALIE
IN the landscape of Islamic finance, the Muslim Judicial Council Halaal Trust’s (MJCHT) recent accreditation by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) stands as a watershed moment not only for the organisation but for the entire South African halaal certification industry.
Held in Cape Town, on the May 27, this event garnered attention from politicians, community scholars, business leaders and stakeholders, underscoring its significance in the domain of Shariah-compliant finance.
SANAS is the official accreditation body in South Africa, responsible for ensuring the competence and integrity of conformity assessment bodies. Under the ISO/IEC 17065:2012 standard, SANAS accredits certification bodies involved in various fields, including halaal certification. This accreditation signifies that the certifying bodies meet internationally recognised criteria for competence, impartiality and reliability in their certification processes, thus enhancing consumer confidence and facilitating market access both domestically and internationally.
In his opening remarks, Shaikh Muhammad West, the chief financial officer of the MJCHT, reflected on the organisation’s long history and the meticulous efforts that have gone into achieving this milestone.
In his address he highlighted the decades-long journey and the efforts of past and present members.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the MJCHT, Moulana Zakariyah Philander, elaborated on the extensive groundwork required to achieve SANAS accreditation.
‘Our Board of Trustees understood that the global halaal certification landscape was evolving at a rapid rate, and they had the foresight to prioritise the seeking of international standards,’ he stated. This accreditation positions the MJCHT not only as a national leader but also as a competitive player in the global market.
The COO also expressed gratitude to the entire MJCHT team for their relentless efforts, especially acknowledging the staff who underwent rigorous training and examinations to meet the new standards. The event was a celebration of teamwork and community support.
This move aims to leverage the international standing and cooperation established by the MJCHT to create new business opportunities for South African producers. Moulana Philander reiterated the commitment to excellence and community engagement. He acknowledged the critical role of consumer trust and invited feedback and communication from the community, underscoring the importance of maintaining high standards and transparency.
The keynote speaker, the erstwhile Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, articulated a powerful message of solidarity, highlighting the importance of halaal standards and advocating for justice for the Palestinian people. Her speech, delivered with conviction and empathy, resonated with the audience as she underscored the significance of halaal assurance and the imperative of supporting oppressed communities globally.
Minister Pandor emphasised the historical significance of the MJCHT, tracing its evolution from an informal body to a formal regulatory authority.
Minister Pandor stated, ‘The essence and fundamentals of halaal emanate from Shariah law, and the high level of proficiency to regulate halaal within an internationally recognised framework is supported by the SANAS accreditation.’
Moreover, Minister Pandor highlighted the global significance of halaal food, noting that nearly a third of the global population is Muslim.
Pandor added, ‘We cannot downplay the importance of catering to the needs of a diverse consumer base of a particular religious faith, as this level of respect and inclusiveness is what creates the richness of our social fabric.’ Pandor reiterated Nelson Mandela’s famous words: ‘Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of Palestinians,’ emphasising the moral imperative of standing in solidarity with oppressed peoples.
I probed Moulana Philander on what provisions and guidelines the system provided to protect consumers from encountering misplaced or sabotaged placement of haraam products with the halaal certified and demarcated products.
According to Moulana Philander, halaal-certified stores are equipped with halaal counters and fridges which are subject to regular inspections to ensure compliance. However, he acknowledged that uncertified stores may in some instances also carry halaal products alongside non-halaal ones without adhering to any certification process.
‘If you come to a store that has a certified fridge and you see that there’s a non-halaal product in that fridge, you must contact us,’ Moulana Philander stated firmly. This non-conformity triggers immediate action from the certification body, including quarantine of the affected fridge, deep cleansing and restocking with halaal products. The business is issued a formal non-conformity report and must outline corrective measures to rectify the situation.
Moulana Philander emphasised the importance of consumer awareness and vigilance in identifying such discrepancies. He highlighted the inevitability of such non-conformities due to the challenges faced in retail environments with limited control. However, he assured consumers that the certification body takes swift action to address issues and maintain halaal standards.
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‘It’s not a matter of the halaal certifiers being negligent; it’s a matter of the reality of the industry on the ground,’ Moulana Philander emphasised. He underscored the commitment to upholding halaal integrity while navigating the complexities of the retail landscape.
Ultimately, Moulana Philander expressed reluctance to disenfranchise the Muslim community by withholding halaal products from supermarkets, despite the risks involved. He emphasised the importance of striking a balance between authority and accessibility to cater to the needs of the Muslim population in South Africa.
The final question posed to Moulana Philander pertained to the potential inclusion of social justice criteria within SANAS accreditation for halaal certification.
Moulana Philander acknowledged the complexity of the issue and highlighted the ethical considerations inherent in certification processes. He referenced the MJC’s stance on businesses involved in activities conflicting with social justice principles, citing an example of refusing to engage with a Zionist Israeli company. While such policies may not be formally integrated into certification standards, Moulana Philander stressed the importance of considering broader ethical dimensions alongside legal frameworks to promote social justice within the certification process.
The MJCHT’s SANAS accreditation marks a new chapter in its history, promising enhanced quality, greater market access and continued trust from the Muslim community in South Africa and beyond. The MJCHT will be able to help direct their clients to Shariah-compliant financing solutions which will help grow the Islamic finance market in South Africa.
- Mogamat Ali Salie is the co-founder of MuslimFin.
