To identify possible areas of collaboration to strengthen the Philippine Halal industry, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-12 held a dialogue in Marawi City on Sunday, April 9, with sectoral representatives from the province.
The dialogue sought to provide a venue where we can lay open to stakeholders what we have and discuss what we can do to put in place halal initiatives to strengthen halal culture in Mindanao and the country at large, said Dr. Zenaida P. HR Laidan, DOST-12 director.
She said DOST-12 has been implementing science and technology programs for the development of the halal industry and encouraging harmonization of efforts with collaborators from the government and partners from the private sector and the academe.
The dialogue also featured lectures on halal as interpreted in Islam and Shariah law as applied to halal business and Islamic finance by Atty. Hamid Barra, professor of Mindanao State University-College of Law. Director Laidan, on the other hand, shared inputs on eco-halal for an inclusive Islamic community and the role of science, technology and innovation in the development of the halal industry.
The DOST-12 Seal of Quality logo and the World Halal Assembly Philippines (WHAP) was also launched during the dialogue. The WHAP is a substantial event to carry out massive promotion and advocacy of the country's science and technology efforts and initiatives for the development of the halal industry, Laidan said.
The assembly aims to realize the "One Standard, One Test, One Certificate" scheme in line with the implementation of the Unified Global Halal Standards of the Organization of Islamic Countries-Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (OIC-SMIIC).
It will gather local and international halal stakeholders, members of the private sector, academe, relevant government agencies, regulatory bodies, certfication bodies, scientists and technocrats, and Ulamas and Muslim communities.
The WHAP will be held at the Marriot Manila grand ballroom on July 12-14, 2017 with the theme 'Developing Halal Premium Brand through science, technology, and Innovation." (APB/PIA-10)
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