A cooperation protocol covering capacity-building and awareness activities in the fields of standardization and conformity assessment in Islamic countries was signed between MÜSİAD and the Standards and Meteorology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) at the Head Office, with the participation of our President Abdurrahman Kaan and SMIIC Secretary General İhsan Övüt.

Established to determine and harmonize common standards among the countries affiliated with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, (SMIIC) also aims to develop trade among the countries affiliated with the OIC and to remove the obstacles standing in the way of trade.
    
In this context MÜSİAD, which has signed a cooperation agreement with SMIIC, aims under the agreement to raise awareness by organizing joint activities on the halal industry, which is an important part of conformity assessment activities for Muslims. In addition, MÜSİAD, which plans to organize joint seminars, workshops, field visits, fairs and training courses in the fields of conformity assessment, standardization and quality, will hold awareness campaigns on the halal industry by preparing bulletins, periodicals and written and visual works.

Two Contracts Signed at Once

Another contract was signed between MÜSİAD and SMIIC in order to establish a monitoring and traceability system for halal conformity assessment activities.

Under the agreement, the aim is for the products and services manufactured by companies to be produced in accordance with the relevant legislation and halal standards at every stage of the supply chain and to be brought to consumers in this way. The contract also aims to ensure the common use of the standards set by SMIIC and to establish a monitoring and traceability system in order to increase the recognition and reputation of halal certified products in the global market.

Islamic Procedures Must Be Established in Matters of Cleanliness, Eating and Drinking

Sharing his assessments after the agreement, MÜSİAD President Abdurrahman Kaan pointed out the importance of halal production and consumption. Stating that the cleanliness and eating habits commanded by Islam are very important for the health and well-being of humankind, Kaan said that unfortunately the level of awareness about halal production and consumption is quite low in the Islamic world as well.

Noting that humanity has been through epidemics such as the plague, cholera and the Spanish flu that caused the deaths of millions of people over the course of history, Kaan stated that humanity is now going through a difficult test with the Coronavirus outbreak, which first emerged in China and spread across the world in a short time. Pointing out that there are serious claims that the disease which spread in China was transmitted from wild animals, Kaan said that at this point the importance of matters such as halal eating and halal slaughter is better understood. Emphasizing that awareness must be created about the adoption of Islamic procedures in the understanding of eating, drinking and cleanliness, starting first of all with the Islamic world, Kaan noted that they have begun their work at this point by entering into cooperation with SMIIC.