JAKARTA – Malaysia reaffirmed its position as a global leader in the halal economy with the launch of new editions of the al-Basirah book at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) held at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

Multilingual Expansion Strategy

Originally published in English, al-Basirah serves as an essential reference guide on halal business practices and lifestyle. The launch event, themed “From Malaysia to the World: Expanding al-Basirah,” introduced Malay and Japanese language editions of the publication.

The ceremony was officiated by YAM Tengku Panglima Raja Brigadier General Tengku Amir Nasser Ibrahim Shah, Chairman of MUIP Holdings. The event also featured a panel podcast discussion focusing on women’s roles in Malaysia’s halal economy, highlighting the inclusive nature of the country’s halal industry development.

Five Decades of Halal Leadership

Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, emphasized in his foreword that Malaysia has been recognized as a global halal industry leader for five decades. He positioned al-Basirah as a strategic medium for expanding the narrative of this leadership, particularly through the Malay language edition.

“Halal represents more than economic growth,” he stated. “It embodies a form of ‘halal diplomacy’ that bridges trade, tourism, education, and community development.”

This perspective frames halal certification and practices as tools for international engagement and cooperation, extending beyond purely commercial considerations.

Impressive Trade Impact

Dato’ Sri Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, CEO of MATRADE (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation), highlighted the book’s focus on maintaining halal principles while excelling in international trade. He emphasized MIHAS’s remarkable track record over more than 20 editions, generating transactions worth RM29.16 billion and engaging over 11,000 exhibitors from 65 countries.

These figures demonstrate the substantial economic impact of Malaysia’s halal trade facilitation efforts and the growing global interest in halal-certified products and services.

Academic and Practical Value

The publication received strong endorsement from academic leaders. Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain, President of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), praised al-Basirah for bridging theoretical and practical aspects of halal practices using accessible language for broader audiences.

Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Osman Bakar, Rector of IIUM, emphasized the book’s academic significance as an expansion of knowledge grounded in tawhid epistemology, linking halal practices to Islamic theological foundations.

Reaching New Markets

The Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) Malaysia and publisher Revon Media expressed strong support for the dual-language launch. Kay Mathy, Publisher at Revon Media, explained the strategic reasoning behind the language selection.

“With Malay and Japanese editions, we’re expanding Malaysia’s halal narrative to local communities while simultaneously reaching new global markets,” Mathy noted.

The Japanese edition specifically targets one of Asia’s most sophisticated consumer markets, where interest in halal products has grown significantly among both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers seeking quality and ethical product certifications.

Beyond Commerce to Knowledge Hub

This initiative represents Malaysia’s evolution from being merely a halal trade center to becoming a comprehensive hub for halal knowledge and diplomacy on the world stage. The publication of al-Basirah in multiple languages demonstrates a sophisticated approach to soft power, using knowledge dissemination as a tool for cultural and economic influence.

The al-Basirah project exemplifies how Malaysia leverages its established expertise in halal certification and industry standards to shape global conversations about halal practices, positioning itself not just as a producer and trader, but as an authoritative voice in defining and promoting halal principles internationally.

Strategic Timing at MIHAS 2025

The launch at MIHAS 2025, which attracted 450 global buyers including participants from Indonesia, maximized visibility and impact. The event served as an ideal platform to showcase Malaysia’s thought leadership in the halal sector to an engaged international audience of industry professionals and decision-makers.

This strategic approach to knowledge dissemination, combined with Malaysia’s proven track record in halal trade facilitation, strengthens the country’s position as the preeminent authority in the global halal economy.

Original Article:

Metro TV News. (2025, October 6). Peluncuran Inisiatif Baru al-Basirah Perkuat Diplomasi Halal Malaysia di MIHAS 2025. Retrieved from https://www.metrotvnews.com/read/NP6C3Ww7-peluncuran-inisiatif-baru-al-basirah-perkuat-diplomasi-halal-malaysia-di-mihas-2025