DEPOK – A recent report from British thinktank Equi argues that the UK’s multibillion-pound halal industry, encompassing food, beauty, and financial technology sectors, should allocate resources to support chronically underfunded Muslim cultural projects and artistic endeavors.

The Scale of Britain’s Halal Economy

The global halal and Muslim lifestyle market currently represents a £2.9 trillion industry, according to the report. Equi estimates that Britain’s halal food sector alone generates approximately £2 billion in value, while acknowledging the expanding presence of halal-compliant financial services, beauty products, fashion, and lifestyle brands.

Corporate Responsibility Framework

The thinktank contends that halal businesses benefit from a dedicated Muslim consumer base and therefore bear responsibility toward these communities. The report draws parallels to expectations placed on football clubs regarding community investment.

“We are not just talking about local butchers or small food retailers. The halal economy is vast, it extends far beyond food, including fintech, cosmetics and travel,” explained Amaan Qureshi, Equi’s chief operating officer. “We are advocating for harnessing some of these profits, to reinvest them across the Muslim market ecosystem, particularly into British Muslim arts and culture, as part of the corporate responsibility that these companies have towards their customers.”

Cultural Sector Challenges

The report describes Britain’s creative industries—which contribute approximately £126 billion annually to the UK economy—as facing a bleak situation due to persistent underinvestment and funding reductions.

Artists from minority backgrounds encounter compounded difficulties, becoming casualties of ongoing cultural conflicts where Muslims are frequently portrayed as incompatible with British values. The report notes that arts funding has become politicized, with programs serving marginalized communities often experiencing delayed funding approvals and facing the earliest budget cuts when resources become scarce.

Community Perspectives

Writer and actor Aqil Ghani identified broader societal undervaluation of artistic expression, noting that within Muslim communities, older generations often view art as nonessential. However, he emphasized the importance of prominent Muslim cultural figures in mainstream media for countering harmful stereotypes, citing television personality Nadiya Hussain as an example of someone who has achieved recognition as both a Muslim and British cultural icon.

Photojournalist Isra Saker highlighted practical challenges in securing appropriate funding for Muslim cultural initiatives, explaining that not all mainstream funding sources align with Islamic principles. She recounted her netball club’s experience declining National Lottery Community Fund support due to its gambling-related origins, ultimately leaving them without financial assistance.

Business Strategy Perspectives

Rafi-uddin Shikoh, chief executive of Dinar Standard, a US-based Islamic economy research firm, supports Equi’s recommendations while emphasizing the commercial advantages of such partnerships. He noted that Muslim artists and cultural figures often appeal to the same consumer demographics that Muslim businesses seek to reach, creating cross-marketing opportunities.

Shikoh suggested that Muslim creative professionals should develop more strategic approaches to securing business support, moving beyond emotional appeals to present clear value propositions demonstrating mutual benefits.

“I think there is an opportunity here for cultural networks or associations, or thinktanks like Equi, to develop the case further so that a clear case can be put forward to businesses,” he stated.

Singer-songwriter Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) contributed a foreword supporting expanded cultural initiative funding, calling for supportive policies and inclusive practices to ensure the sector’s survival and contribution to national cultural, social, and economic prosperity.

Implications for Cultural Development

The report represents an attempt to connect commercial success in halal industries with cultural development needs in Muslim communities, proposing a model of corporate social responsibility that addresses both business interests and community cultural preservation and growth.

Original Article:

Strzyżyńska, W. (2025, August 26). Halal businesses ought to support Muslim artists, says thinktank. Hyphen. https://hyphenonline.com/2025/03/28/halal-tax-arts-culture-equi-uk-muslim/