When Hafiz Muhammad Yaqoob left Pakistan more than 50 years ago, little did he know he would become the pioneer of the Halal food industry in the United Kingdom. The Halal Journal gets up close and personal with this man, who unassumingly says he is “just a humble man serving God, to the best of [my] ability.”

When did you start your Halal meat business?

1954. we had a small Muslim community at that time. The people felt that as I was hafiz of Quran that I would be the most qualified person to carry out the religious slaughtering. I accepted, and began alone from a small room within my house – and the journey began from there.

Who certifies your slaughtered meat?

There is no government or nationally recognised certification body in the UK as yet because there has been no centralised driving force pushing for one ‘globally recognised certification panel’. There are only individuals within the community, who is in some cases may have links with mosques, offering certification in return for fees. This practice, unfortunately, makes the controls and monitoring very difficult as it lacks in transparency.

What did you mean by lack of transparency?

These individuals have one objective: to make money, without having invested in the infrastructure required at ground level, to practically oversee the Halal process. Having said this, I am aware of a ‘Global Halal Authority’ coming together, combining Islamic scholars from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the US, the UK and other parts of the world, who will eventually deal with all issues.

How does National Halal fit into this big frame?

We ensure complete transparency and traceability of all our products. Our meat is slaughtered in accordance with the Islamic shariah as laid out in the Quran and sunnah (Prophet Muhammad’s way of life viewed as a model for Muslims)by practising Muslims. We operate open-book policy. None of the company’s activities are closed to external examination. Individuals are invited to witness the slaughter with no prior notice. This has, in fact, become an integral tool within the business.

How many Halal butchers are there approximately in the UK?

There are a great number of butchers, who refer themselves as Halal. However, there are only handful of companies, who guarantee that all their meat is stun free.

How do non-Muslims in the UK perceive Halal meat?

The views are varied. There has been a lot of ‘bad press’ concerning religious slaughter over the years. However, those who have been educated on the health benefits and shelf life [of Halal meat], and animal welfare will continue consuming the meat.

You mentioned animal welfare. Why are you so vehemently against stunning?

The use of stunning is directly conflicts with the method used by the Prophet Muhammad. Due to stunning, a high percentage of birds and animals will die prior to slaughter. Around 90 out of 100 birds experience cardiac arrest when a minimum charge allowed by law of 25 miliamps per bird is used. Using a captive bolt can also kill the animal.

And how would stunning affect human’s health?

It has been scientifically proven that due to stunning, blood remains in the carcass, thus increasing chances of bacteria and other diseases developing.

Halal has become an international buzzword. Your comments?

Halal is generally understood as being ‘the method of slaughter’ – but the word Halal actually refers directly to every aspect of our lives. Halal can be translated as ‘permitted’ or ‘lawful’. National Halal takes on board this term in every area of its business ethics. With approximately 1.8 billion Muslims, Halal must be the biggest brand in the world.

In terms of branding, do you think Halal will one day become a lifestyle preference depicting a healthier lifestyle – rather than a religious obligation?

Approximately 35 per cent of our clientele are non-Muslims. When asked why they shop at our various retail outlets, responses include the quality and taste of the meat, its shelf life and the fact that they are aware that having had all the blood drained from the carcass the meat is healthier. Halal is a global brand, and with the passage of time, the non-Muslim community eagerly wanting to study Islam will further assist in its recognition.

**This article was first published in The Halal Journal May/Jun 2005 edition, and was written by Remi Yahya-Ishmael.