JAKARTA – At the prestigious Global Halal Summit 2025, Malaysia’s leading Islamic authority delivered a powerful call for enhanced collaboration and elevated standards across the worldwide halal certification landscape, as the industry races toward unprecedented trillion-dollar valuations.

A Vision for Excellence and Unity

Dato’ Dr. Sirajuddin bin Suhaimee, who heads Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM), addressed an impressive gathering of over 50 nations’ representatives at the 15th Halal Certification Bodies Convention. His keynote speech wove together personal reflections from his distinguished career with an ambitious roadmap for the halal industry’s future.

The summit, themed “Igniting Excellence, Bridging Halal Worldwide,” provided the perfect platform for Sirajuddin to articulate his vision of transforming halal certification from a religious requirement into a globally recognized symbol of quality and ethical standards.

Beyond Traditional Boundaries

The halal market has undergone remarkable evolution, expanding far beyond its traditional food sector roots. Today, it encompasses pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics, and tourism industries, serving not only nearly two billion Muslims but also attracting growing numbers of non-Muslim consumers who value transparency and sustainable practices.

This dramatic expansion brings both tremendous opportunities and significant challenges. As Sirajuddin emphasized, the industry’s rapid growth demands unwavering commitment to maintaining integrity and preventing any erosion of consumer trust.

Twin Pillars of Progress

The JAKIM chief outlined a comprehensive strategy built on two fundamental pillars:

Internal Excellence: This involves maintaining uncompromising integrity standards, embracing cutting-edge technological innovations, and developing human expertise across all levels of the certification process.

Global Bridging: This encompasses harmonizing standards internationally, fostering collaborative relationships over competitive rivalries, and expanding market access worldwide.

The Sacred Trust of Certification

Drawing from Islamic scripture, particularly verses from Surah an-Nisa’, Sirajuddin portrayed halal certifiers as guardians of a divine trust. He compared their role to that of impartial referees in high-stakes competitions, where every decision carries profound consequences.

The director general warned that any compromise in standards could trigger what he termed a “crisis of spiritual confidence” among consumers, potentially devastating billions of dollars in international trade. Such lapses, he suggested, would be as damaging as discovering counterfeit medications in the healthcare system.

Innovation as Imperative

Technology emerged as a central theme in Sirajuddin’s address. Reflecting on his journey from grassroots Islamic outreach work in Selangor to pioneering Malaysia’s digital halal systems, including the innovative Halal Verified Engine, he advocated for a “Halal Built-In” approach.

This paradigm would embed halal principles throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial design concepts through complex supply chain networks. Advanced tools such as blockchain technology for enhanced traceability and artificial intelligence for more efficient auditing processes are essential components of this technological transformation.

Malaysia’s ambitious transition toward a completely digital certification system exemplifies this forward-thinking approach, setting new standards for the global industry.

Investing in Human Capital

The importance of skilled professionals received significant emphasis in Sirajuddin’s remarks. He characterized investment in training auditors and Shariah advisors not as an operational expense, but as the most crucial investment for securing the industry’s collective future.

Incompetent personnel, he argued, pose existential risks to the entire ecosystem, while properly trained professionals function as skilled detectives capable of identifying hidden flaws throughout complex product journeys.

Breaking Down Global Barriers

A significant milestone achieved in 2023 drew particular attention: the alignment of halal standards established by the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) with the World Trade Organization’s Technical Barriers to Trade framework.

This development represents what Sirajuddin called a “game-changer,” transforming halal certification from a perceived religious barrier into an internationally recognized technical standard. This shift facilitates mutual recognition agreements and eliminates unnecessary trade obstacles.

Malaysia’s Leadership Role

Drawing from his unique experience as Malaysia’s inaugural halal attaché to Australia and his role in bilateral working groups with both Australia and New Zealand, Sirajuddin emphasized cooperation over competition. He invoked Quranic principles calling for partnership in righteousness, noting that challenges faced by any certification body anywhere in the world affect the entire global community.

Malaysia’s expanding recognition network now encompasses 93 halal certification bodies across 48 nations, representing an increase of 33 new partnerships as of August 2025.

The Master Plan Framework

Guided by Malaysia’s comprehensive Halal Industry Master Plan 2030, JAKIM has committed to leading global harmonization efforts. Rather than imposing uniformity, the approach seeks to create what Sirajuddin described as a “united, not identical” framework – comparable to an orchestra where diverse instruments create beautiful harmony while maintaining their unique characteristics.

Three-Pronged Strategy

The keynote address outlined a clear three-part pathway forward:

1. Championing Collaboration: Building stronger partnerships and mutual support networks across all certification bodies globally.
2. Embracing Digital Transformation: Implementing “Halal Built-In” principles and leveraging advanced technologies for enhanced efficiency and security.
3. Universal Positioning: Establishing halal certification as a universally recognized symbol of ethical excellence that appeals to all consumers, regardless of religious affiliation.

Looking Ahead

The address served as a preview for deeper discussions scheduled for the upcoming Malaysia International Halal Research and Education Conference on September 21-22. There, Sirajuddin will present Malaysia’s “Golden Trilateral Alignment” concept, which demonstrates how monarchy, government, and regulatory frameworks work together to create the stable foundation that has sustained Malaysia’s halal industry leadership for over five decades.

A Living Reality

As the Global Halal Summit continues through September 26, Sirajuddin’s message reinforces Malaysia’s determination to maintain its position as the world’s leading halal hub. His vision addresses the complex intersection of faith, technology, and international trade in an increasingly dynamic global economy.

The warm “Selamat Datang” (welcome) extended to international delegates symbolized more than traditional Malaysian hospitality – it represented an invitation to join a collaborative movement that transforms the conference theme from mere words into what Sirajuddin called “a living reality.”

This summit marks a pivotal moment for an industry poised to reach new heights, guided by principles that balance spiritual authenticity with technological innovation and global commercial success.

Original Article:

Halal Times. (2025, September 17). Dato’ Dr. Sirajuddin Delivers Keynote Speech at GHaS 2025 for a Vision of Halal Worldwide.  Retrieved from https://www.halaltimes.com/dato-dr-sirajuddin-delivers-keynote-speech-at-ghas-2025-for-a-vision-of-halal-worldwide/