First of all, I would like to say Ramadan Mubarak to all of you with your families and I pray that Allah will have mercy on us and accept our humble prayers during this very holy month. I pray again that Allah help us Muslims all over the world so that we start to wake up and remember once again that we are only brothers in Islam.
Today I would like to present you a new announcement, which, I believe, will be very beneficial for the Ummah.
People celebrate certain days for different causes : like “Mothers Day”, “Fathers Day”, “World Youth Day”, “World Food Day” etc. I have been thinking why we don’t have a Halal Day that will be celebrated around World. I asked our fiqh experts and Ulama and they declared that the first ayat on Halal was Ayat 69 of Sura Anfal ((8:69). This ayat was revealed in 17th Ramadan in 624 (A.H. 2) during (or after) Battle of Badr, the first battle between Islam and kufr.
“So consume what you have taken of war booty [as being] lawful and good, and fear Allah . Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (8:69)
It was my humble suggestion that we start an initiative to celebrate every 17th day of Ramadan as “WORLD HALAL DAY”. I have consulted some of my Brothers in different countries and by the grace of Allah, they have all supported the idea of having a World Halal Day which will be commemorated each Ramadan, particularly on the 17th day of the holy month.
I have summarized my opinions below on the matter and I trust you will join us in celebrating this important day.
Eids are other very important days brought by our religion . World Halal Day will be, at least, the first commemoration day dedicated to Muslims’ values which is originated by Muslims only.
WHAT IS WORLD HALAL DAY?
World Halal Day is a unified day of action to celebrate and support Halal around the world.
WHEN IS WORLD HALAL DAY?
World Halal Day will take place on every 17th day of Holy Month of Ramadhan. As Ramadhan month is based on Moon Calendar, each year the World Halal Day will be a different day in the sun calendar (this year 17th Ramadan will 25 July 2013 and in 2014 it will be 15 July.)
WHAT IS THE AIM OF WORLD HALAL DAY?
World Halal Day will be celebrated to increase awareness and understanding of Halal. It will also help unify efforts of individuals and public to come together and exchange experience and information, without intervention of politics and other affects that cause separation between Muslims.
WHO ORGANIZES WORLD HALAL DAY?
World Halal Council, the leading body of Halal Certifiers worldwide is the starter and supporter of this initiative. However, as Muslim brothers living in each corner of the world, we declare that Halal belongs to Ummah and thus World Halal Day is actually owned by the Muslims. For this reason, while World Halal Council is organizing some activities to celebrate World Halal Day in its members’s territories, every Muslim organization and Halal Certifier is also encouraged to celebrate this great day on its own. However, to support and organize simultaneous activities and to collect news on what is going on in other parts of the world, we request that interested parties contact us for any activity that they would like to start.
IS WORLD HALAL DAY SUPPORTED BY GOVERNMENTS OR LOCAL AUTHORITIES?
World Halal Day is just a very fresh idea started by a non-governmental organization. It is totally away from politics and government affairs. As Halal belongs to Muslims and Muslims have every right to protect their Islamic values. So we believe that World Halal Day will be a new platform for Muslims to explain themselves about this human right to their governments, especially where Muslims live in minority.
WHAT CAN BE THE ACTIVITIES ON WORLD HALAL DAY?
Public announcements on the media, Seminars, Conferences, Friday Speeches in Mosques to increase the importance of Halal and Tayyib, Kermesses (kind of Potluck where women bring home made products and sell for charity) for the poor can be considered as starters. As 2013 Ramadhan will be the first year for World Halal Day, we can plan and arrange more activities in the years to come. We also declare that we are open to suggestions you may have for the celebrations.
Just a few examples of what we have been planning for this year :
*Host an event (like a seminar Halal and Tayyib can be discussed)
*Write to the local authorities about Halal and regardless of their religion, inform them about Halal and importance of Halal in Muslims’ life.
*Use social media (twitter or similar to disseminate information)
*Cooperate with your fellow Islamic Body. Even if the other Halal certifier is your competitor, forget business and cooperate with them to raise awareness in the public.
*Give or suggest a speech on Halal on Friday prayer.
May Allah bless you.
Wassalam.
Dr. Hüseyin Kami Büyüközer
Patron of WHC
President, GİMDES
İstanbul, TURKEY
Tel : +90 212 438 3318
Fax : +90 212 438 3319
CONTACT FOR WORLD HALAL DAY
You can contact us for any further information and we will be more than happy to assist you.
Contact information :
Phone: +90 212 438 3318
Fax : +90 212 438 3319
Email : info@worldhalalcouncil.com
