Urgent Announcement

Please Be advised that the Woolworths range of Basil & Rocket Pesto is not suitable for Muslim consumption and is not Halaal certified.

NIHT’S 2008 REVIEW

The year 2008 has indeed been an extremely productive one for the National Independent Halaal Trust (NIHT) despite the global economic turmoil caused by the oppressive financial system employed by world markets.

The organization is a member of the World Halaal Council and two members Hafez M.Booley and Moulana Abdul Wahab Wookay serve on the executive and arbitration committee respectively. This year, the role of the NIHT, on a global level, has increased tremendously resulting in an array of international commitments.

The NIHT has been recognised and respected for its contribution towards Halaal by the Saudi Government, Pakistan, India, UAE, Mauritius, Thailand Malaysia and Namibia. 

The Halaal standards employed by the organization is recognized as one of the highest and well maintained in the world. Great effort is put in to ensure NIHT Halaal standards are not compromised at certified establishments.

The NIHT has employed full time inspectors who cover all regions of South Africa. Monthly inspections are carried out at our Halaal certified establishments and this year over 2500 inspections were carried out. In the process, our inspectors on a national level covered over 50 000km.

During the past year the NIHT visited Dubai, India, Malaysia, Germany, Austria, France, Morocco and Thailand for the purposes of attending Halaal conferences, meetings and inspections.

We also have a well-established web portal and a total of over 540 000 hits have been recorded. These have been from many people in South Africa as well as abroad.  During the past 12 months over 2 500 emails were received and answered.

During 2008 we also participated in the annual Sultan Bahu Fete.  The NIHT stall attracted thousands of visitors with one–on-one discussions with members of the public, which were extremely fruitful. 

On the 16th of June 2008 the NIHT hosted a Meat Management & Economic Workshop held at the Baitun Noor Centre Lenasia. Over a hundred butcheries certified by the organisation attended the day-long programme which included the following:

1. The role of Samic in butcheries.
2. How trends have changed in the Meat Industry over the past 20 years.
3. Challenges facing the Meat industry.
4. Efficiency in Meat cutting and costing, a live demonstration was held.
5. Overview and achievements of NIHT.
6. Easy way to finance butchery equipment.
7. Latest trends and technology in the butchery industry.

The NIHT year will be concluded with our participation at the International Trade Fair in Durban, where over a hundred thousand people are expected to attend. We’ll tell you about it in 2009 Inshallah.

Food Security and the Paradox of Muslim Countries
By Irfan Sungkar,

Food security is undoubtedly an issue of prime importance that Muslim countries are facing today, as it penetrates to the heart of the concept of human survival.

According to the World Food Summit 1996, food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy lifestyle.

Hence, it is not only a question of food availability, but also the ability of the population to have access to food, which is related to the distribution system, ability to pay, and so on...

Please click here to read more.

The National Independent Halaal Trust (NIHT) was formed by concerned Ulama, Muslim Traders and Consumers. The prime objective was to ensure that the Muslim Consumer receives a guaranteed Halaal end product. Due to the changing market forces in the Halaal Food Industry and the usage of various natural and synthetic flavours, emulsifiers and mixtures it has become imperative that Muslim take cognisance of what they consume.

• Providing a workable and professional synergy between Ulama, business and the Muslim Consumer.
• Providing a practical but professional service to the Ummah (Muslim Consumer) guaranteeing the Ummah a Halaal end product.
• Providing a professional Halaal Monitoring System on various products and ingredients.
• Providing a better working relationship with other Halaal Certifying Authorities to eradicate confusion and double standards in the Halaal Food Industry culminating in a truly National Halaal Certifying Forum (NFH).
• Providing a coherent professional response to all Halaal queries and applications.
• Creating a database and website for all Halaal products and ingredients.
• Taking firm action against establishments that transgress the Shariah.
• Providing co-operation and dialogue with other Certifying Bodies internationally.

• Certifies approx. 385 establishments and companies countrywide.
• Provides employment for approx. 300 Muslim personnel to maintain and supervise Non-Muslim Owned (NMO’s) establishments that carry the NIHT certification.
• Established a full time team of Halaal Inspectors countrywide to maintain NIHT Halaal Standards.
• In conjunction with the Witwatersrand Muslim Butchers Association (WMBA) certifies in excess of 97% of the major abattoirs countrywide.
• To eradicate insinuations of monetary gains from Halaal certification, the executive of the NIHT & WMBA offer its services gratis (free of charge) to the Trust.
• Gained the support and confidence of Muslim Businesses and Consumers.
• Founding Members of the World Halaal Council (WHC) based in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• Established offices and representation countrywide.
• Our Halaal Certification is accepted Worldwide and the NIHT is recognized by South African Meat Industry Corporation (SAMIC), Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), State Veterinary Department, Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) as well as the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC).
• The NIHT is signatories to the National Halaal Forum (NHF).
• Established a website www.halaal.org.za

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