JAKARTA – The Indonesian capital recently hosted a significant event aimed at raising awareness about halal products and their connection to healthy lifestyle choices. The Halal Walk 2025, held at Jakarta’s iconic Istiqlal Mosque, served as both an educational platform and promotional venue to demonstrate the importance of halal-certified products in modern living.

This initiative represents a comprehensive effort by Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJH) to position halal products as a universal lifestyle choice that transcends religious boundaries, appealing to consumers regardless of their faith, ethnicity, or cultural background.

Universal Appeal of Halal Certification

The event emphasized that halal products offer benefits extending far beyond religious compliance. Organizers highlighted how halal certification standards encompass quality assurance, hygiene protocols, and ethical production methods that appeal to health-conscious consumers worldwide, regardless of their religious affiliation.

By positioning halal as a comprehensive lifestyle approach rather than solely a religious requirement, the initiative aims to broaden market acceptance and create opportunities for Indonesian producers to compete in both domestic and international markets.

Supporting Local Small-Scale Enterprises

A central focus of Halal Walk 2025 was showcasing Indonesian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their halal-certified products. The event provided a platform for local businesses to display their offerings while receiving support and guidance on navigating increasingly competitive markets, particularly as international halal products continue entering Indonesia.

The exhibition featured diverse local food products and traditional culinary offerings, demonstrating the rich variety of Indonesian halal cuisine while emphasizing the need for proper certification to maintain market position.

Preserving Traditional Food Heritage

The event particularly emphasized the importance of strengthening halal certification for traditional Indonesian food establishments and local eateries. These include popular local dining concepts such as:

• Warteg (traditional Javanese restaurants)
• Warung Padang (Minangkabau cuisine establishments)
• Warung Betawi (traditional Jakarta-style eateries)
• Soto vendors (traditional soup specialists)
• Rawon establishments (East Javanese black soup restaurants)

These traditional food venues represent Indonesia’s culinary heritage and local wisdom, requiring certification support to compete effectively against foreign halal products that already possess international certification standards.

Competitive Market Challenges

Organizers stressed the critical need for Indonesian food businesses to obtain proper halal certification to prevent displacement by imported halal products. As international brands with established halal credentials continue entering the Indonesian market, local businesses must strengthen their certification status to maintain their market share and competitive position.

The initiative recognizes that without proper certification, traditional Indonesian food businesses may struggle to compete against well-certified international competitors, potentially leading to the erosion of local culinary traditions and economic opportunities.

Strategic National Importance

The Halal Walk 2025 event reflects Indonesia’s broader strategy to strengthen its position in the global halal economy. As the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia possesses significant potential to become a leading halal product producer and exporter, but this requires systematic support for local businesses to meet international certification standards.

The initiative aligns with national efforts to develop Indonesia’s halal industry ecosystem, encompassing not only food products but also pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fashion, and tourism sectors.

Educational and Economic Impact

Beyond product promotion, the event served important educational functions by:

• Raising Consumer Awareness: Informing the public about the benefits and importance of choosing halal-certified products
• Business Development: Providing guidance and support for local entrepreneurs seeking halal certification
• Market Positioning: Helping Indonesian businesses understand competitive requirements in the global halal market
• Cultural Preservation: Emphasizing the importance of maintaining traditional food culture through proper certification

Future Implications

The success of Halal Walk 2025 demonstrates growing recognition of halal products’ market potential beyond traditional religious consumers. This trend suggests opportunities for Indonesian businesses to expand their reach while maintaining authentic local characteristics that distinguish them from international competitors.

The event’s emphasis on traditional food establishments indicates a strategic approach to preserving Indonesia’s culinary heritage while adapting to modern certification requirements. This balance between tradition and modernization could serve as a model for other developing nations seeking to strengthen their position in the global halal economy.

As Indonesia continues developing its halal industry infrastructure, initiatives like Halal Walk 2025 play crucial roles in building awareness, supporting local businesses, and positioning the nation as a credible competitor in the international halal marketplace.

Original article:

metrotvnews.com. (n.d.). Halal Walk 2025, Edukasi Produk Halal untuk Gaya Hidup Sehat. Retrieved August 24, 2025, from https://www.metrotvnews.com/play/NleC8Q2D-halal-walk-2025-edukasi-produk-halal-untuk-gaya-hidup-sehat