Now, halal has become a concern for non-Muslims. This is not for sectarian reasons, but rather an understanding of consumer needs. One of them can be seen from the provision of moslem meal options to almost all international airlines. Of course, this potential needs to be encouraged through various halal campaigns with the support of the government's political will.
Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for Fatwa, Dr. H.M. Asrorun Ni'am Sholeh, M.A. conveyed this at the National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) of the Institute for the Study of Food, Medicines, and Cosmetics of the Indonesian Ulema Council (LPPOM MUI) on June 15-16, 2022 in Bangka Belitung Province. This event is one of a series of Indonesian Halal Congress (KHI) which took place on June 14-18.
Kiai Ni'am said that this national coordination meeting is part of the function of the MUI as khadimul ummah and shadiqul hukumah. Khadimul ummah as a community guide to religious observance, including food affairs. Meanwhile, shadiqul hukumah is a reminder of the government when there are things that are not in accordance with Islamic law, and vice versa.
"Before halal awareness appeared in the middle of the government and the House of Representatives, the MUI was present which was then welcomed by the government through the Ministerial Decree. Once public awareness of halal is greater, the state is present so that new governance is needed. The change is essentially circumcision and the MUI must respond to the dynamics of these changes, especially from the aspect of legal regulation," he explained.
In this case, Kiai Ni'am reminded LPPOM MUI to be able to quickly adapt to the dynamics of these changes. Therefore, various innovations need to be continuously born, including when the government through the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) and other Halal Inspection Agencies (LPH) are present in matters of halal certification.
"LPPOM MUI since its inception until now, is not just an LPH. This institution has a function as a scientific judgement which is very important in determining the halalness of products," said Kiai Ni'am.
Unlike other LPH, LPPOM MUI has spread across 34 provinces in Indonesia to make it easier for business actors to carry out halal certification. In addition, LPPOM MUI also has four representative offices, including two in South Korea, one in Taiwan, and one in China. A total of 46 countries in various continents in the world have carried out halal certification through LPPOM MUI.
To advance to the global arena, LPPOM MUI has been equipped with an SNI ISO / IEC 17025: 2017 Accreditation Certificate for Halal Laboratories in 2016 and SNI ISO / IEC 17065: 2012 for Halal Certification Bodies in 2018. Through KAN, LPPOM MUI has also been recognized by an overseas halal certification body, the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) on the UAE standard 2055:2-2016.
With this accreditation, LPPOM MUI as the first and most trusted LPH in Indonesia has proven its credibility both at the national and international levels and has helped support Indonesian business actors to expand the global market. (RR/YN)
