Dato’ Dr. Sirajuddin Delivers Keynote Speech at GHaS 2025 for a Vision of Halal Worldwide

In a stirring keynote address that blended personal memoir with a bold vision for the future, Malaysia’s top Islamic affairs official urged halal certification bodies worldwide to elevate their standards and forge stronger alliances, as the global halal market hurtles toward trillion-dollar status amid expanding demand for ethical, safe products.

Dato’ Dr. Sirajuddin bin Suhaimee, director general of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), delivered the remarks on Tuesday at the 15th Halal Certification Bodies Convention in Kuala Lumpur, part of the broader Global Halal Summit 2025. Speaking to an international audience of industry leaders, regulators and experts from over 50 countries, he framed the gathering as a “convergence of commitment, expertise and brotherhood,” emphasizing the theme “Igniting Excellence, Bridging Halal Worldwide.”

The halal sector, which certifies products as permissible under Islamic law, has evolved from niche religious compliance into a universal benchmark for quality and trust, Sirajuddin said. He highlighted its rapid growth beyond traditional food markets into pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics and tourism, appealing to nearly two billion Muslims and a rising number of non-Muslim consumers seeking transparency and sustainability.

“With great opportunity comes greater responsibility,” Sirajuddin warned, stressing the need to safeguard the ecosystem’s integrity as it expands. He outlined two core pillars for action: internal excellence through unyielding integrity, technological innovation and human competency; and outward bridging via harmonization of standards, collaboration over competition, and enhanced global market access.

Drawing on Quranic verses, including one from Surah an-Nisa’ underscoring trust as a divine mandate, Sirajuddin likened halal certifiers to impartial referees in a high-stakes football match: “Every audit we conduct, every decision we make, and every certificate we issue must be grounded in unwavering honesty.” He cautioned that lapses could trigger a “crisis of spiritual confidence” for consumers, akin to discovering counterfeit medicine, potentially collapsing billions in trade.

Innovation emerged as a key imperative. Reflecting on his own career—from grassroots Islamic outreach in Selangor to pioneering digital halal systems like the Halal Verified Engine—Sirajuddin advocated for “Halal Built-In,” a paradigm embedding halal principles from product design through supply chains. Tools like blockchain for traceability and AI for audits, he said, are essential to prevent fraud and build consumer confidence. Malaysia’s push toward a fully digital certification system exemplifies this shift, he added.

On competency, Sirajuddin called investment in training auditors and Shariah advisors “not an expense, but the most critical investment to safeguard our collective future.” Incompetence, he argued, risks everything, while skilled professionals act as detectives uncovering hidden flaws in product journeys.

Turning to global bridging, Sirajuddin hailed a 2023 milestone: the alignment of halal standards by the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) with the World Trade Organization’s Technical Barriers to Trade code. This “game-changer,” he said, elevates halal from a perceived religious barrier to an internationally recognized technical standard, facilitating mutual recognition and removing trade hurdles.

Citing his experience as Malaysia’s first halal attaché in Australia and co-chair of bilateral working groups with Australia and New Zealand, Sirajuddin invoked a Quranic call to cooperate in righteousness (from Surah al-Maidah) to promote partnership over rivalry. “A challenge faced by a certification body in South America is a challenge for us all,” he said, noting that Malaysia now recognizes 93 halal bodies across 48 nations, up by 33 as of August 2025.

Guided by Malaysia’s Halal Industry Master Plan 2030, JAKIM pledges to lead this effort, offering resources to build a “united, not identical” framework—like an orchestra harmonizing diverse instruments. Sirajuddin outlined a three-pronged path forward: championing collaboration, embracing digital transformation and “Halal Built-In,” and positioning halal as a universal symbol of ethical excellence for all consumers.

The address also previewed deeper discussions at the upcoming Malaysia International Halal Research and Education Conference on Sept. 21-22, where Sirajuddin will keynote on Malaysia’s “Golden Trilateral Alignment” of monarchy, government and regulation in halal governance—a model of shared trust sustaining the industry for over 50 years.

Closing with gratitude to participants and organizers, Sirajuddin extended a warm “Selamat Datang” to international delegates, transforming the theme into “a living reality.” As the summit continues through Sept. 26, his message underscores Malaysia’s ambition to remain the global halal hub, navigating a dynamic economy where faith, technology and trade intersect.