Dr. Hüseyin Kâmi BÜYÜKÖZER
Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
As we approach the blessed and joyous Eid al-Adha, together with my
colleagues working at GIMDES, DHV, and DHM, it gives us great pleasure to
extend our warmest greetings to you—our esteemed colleagues in the field of
Halal Certification—your teams, and the communities you serve.
Commemorating the life of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), we perform
many Hajj rituals to fulfill the commands of Allah Almighty, just as our Prophet
(pbuh) was commanded by Allah in Surah Al-An'am (6:161-162): “Say (O
Muhammad), 'Indeed, my Lord has guided me to a straight path – a correct
religion – the way of Ibrahim, inclining toward truth…'” and “Say, 'Indeed, my
prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the
worlds.'”
This tradition represents the united effort of a family to fulfill the commands of
Allah Almighty despite all hardships. A wife and a young child abandoned in a
hostile, barren, and foreign land; a child wholeheartedly ready to give his life for
the fulfillment of Allah Almighty’s command; and an elderly father alongside his
young son building the House of Allah Almighty in the face of great trials and
tribulations. Their sole purpose was nothing other than seeking the pleasure of
Allah Almighty.
We, too, are a family, and we recognize the vital role each of us plays in serving
the Ummah and building trust among consumers worldwide. Although we
operate in different regions and contexts, we are united in a common purpose
and driven by a shared obligation. As the guardians of this sacred trust, the
weight of the responsibility that comes with ensuring the purity, authenticity, and
halal integrity of the food reaching the tables of the Ummah will never be an
easy task. This noble mission demands and dictates constant vigilance,
continuous sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment and sincerity to address
and resolve every threat that poses a risk to the spirituality of the Ummah
through haram.
The sacrifices of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and Eid al-Adha remind
us that sacrifice for the sake of Allah Almighty is never in vain or futile; every
audit, every inspection, and every certification is an act of service that secures
both worldly and otherworldly rewards. Although our work may not always be
visible to the public, it is of vital importance for the spiritual and physical well-
being of millions of people.
We continue to pray to Allah Almighty for the acceptance of our collective
efforts, to grant us understanding and wisdom in our decisions, to protect us
from error, and to unite our hearts in the common goal of preserving halal
integrity so that the Ummah we serve can safely consume and use Halal and
Tayyib products.
From our team to yours, Eid Mubarak! Together, we stand as the guardians of
trust for the global Muslim community, InshaAllah.
