Apart from Turkey, Muslims in many countries, especially in the United States, celebrate the 17th Ramadan Halal Day.
Mr. Habib Ghanim who is the director of ISWA Halal Certification Department and President and CEO of USA Halal Chamber of Commerce, Inc., answered the conceivable questions about this meaningful day in the Bulletin he sent for the 17th Ramadan World Halal Day. We present the translation of the Bulletin below for your benefit.
Assalamu alaikum Dear Brothers and Sisters.
First of all, I would like to say Ramadan Mubarak to all of you with your families and I pray that Allah brings us mercy and rahmat and accept our humble prayers during this very holy month. I pray again that Allah help us Muslims all over the world so that we start to wake up and remember once again that we are only brothers and sisters in Islam and one world of human beings despite our differences.
People celebrate certain days for different causes: like “Mother’s Day”, “Father’s Day”, “World Youth Day”, “World Food Day” etc. We have been thinking why we don’t have a Halal Day that will be celebrated around World. We asked our fiqh and shari’a experts and Ulama and they declared that the first ayat on Halal was Ayat 69 of Sura Anfal ((8:69). This ayat was revealed in 17th Ramadan in 624 (A.H. 2) during (or after) Battle of Badr, the first battle between Islam and kufr.
فَكُلُوا مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلَالاً طَيِّباًؗ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُورٌ رَحٖيمٌࣖ
“So consume what you have taken of war booty [as being] lawful and good, and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (8:69)
It was the humble suggestion of Dr. Hüseyin Kami Büyüközer, Patron of WHC that we start an initiative to celebrate every 17th day of Ramadan as “WORLD HALAL DAY”. World Halal Day will be commemorated each Ramadan, particularly on the 17th day of the holy month, supported by many countries.
Summary of WHD
Eids are other very important days brought by our religion. World Halal Day will be, at least, the first commeration day dedicated to Muslims’ values which is originated by Muslims and shared with the whole ummah and world citizens.
WHAT IS WORLD HALAL DAY?
World Halal Day is a unified day of action to celebrate and support Halal around the world.
WHEN IS WORLD HALAL DAY?
World Halal Day will take place on every 17th day of Holy Month of Ramadhan. As Ramadhan month is based on Lunar/Moon Calendar, each year the World Halal Day will be a different day in the sun calendar (this year 17th Ramadan will 8 April 2023).
WHAT IS THE AIM OF WORLD HALAL DAY?
World Halal Day will be celebrated to increase awareness and understanding of Halal. It will also help unify efforts of individuals and public to come together and exchange experience and information, without intervention of politics and other affects that cause separation between Muslims.
WHO ORGANIZES WORLD HALAL DAY?
World Halal Council, a federation of leading Halal Certifiers worldwide started this initiative. However, as Muslim brothers living in each corner of the world, we declare that Halal belongs to Ummah and thus World Halal Day is actually owned by the Muslims. For this reason, while World Halal Council is organizing some activities to celebrate World Halal Day in its member’s territories, every Muslim organization and Halal Certifier is also encouraged to celebrate this great day on its own.
IS WORLD HALAL DAY SUPPORTED BY GOVERNMENTS OR LOCAL AUTHORITIES?
World Halal Day is just a very fresh idea started by a non-governmental organization. It is totally away from politics and government affairs. As Halal belongs to Muslims and Muslims have every right to protect this Islamic value. So we believe that World Halal Day will be a new platform for Muslims to explain themselves about this human right to their governments, especially where Muslims live in minority and our rights to demand and eat halal in hospitals, schools, hotels, restaurants, and even in prisons.
WHAT CAN BE THE ACTIVITIES ON WORLD HALAL DAY?
Public announcements on the media, Seminars, Conferences, Friday Speeches in Mosques to increase the importance of Halal and Tayyib, Kermesses for the poor can be considered as starters.
Encourage these activities:
• Host an event (like this one here today)
• Write to the local authorities about Halal and regardless of their religion, inform them about Halal and importance of Halal in Muslims’ life.
• Use social media (twitter, what’s app, or similar to disseminate information)
• Cooperate with your fellow, local Islamic Bodies. Even if the other Halal certifier is your competitor
• Give or suggest a speech on Halal on Friday khutbahs.
Please go to http://www.worldhalalcouncil.com/ to learn more about the World Halal Council.
May Allah swt bless you.
Wassalam.
