The ACJU in view of strengthening peaceful coexistence in the country and to avoid continuous debate on the sensitive issue of Halal certification suggested as an alternative, to the present mechanism of Halal certification to the government of Sri Lanka. This would prepare a proper mechanism to issue Halal certification acceptable to all stakeholders .
The ACJU was of the view that the Government could model the process in line with the process presently adapted by the governments of Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
“This suggestion will reiterate the ACJU stand, that the process was introduced not as a commercial venture to generate profit, but, as a service oriented process to meet the concerns of the country’s Muslim community,” Rizwe added.
The press release read out by the ACJU General Secretary at yesterday’s press conference stated as follows:
“Further to the statement released to the general public by the ACJU on February 21, 2013 wherein an appeal was made to the manufacturers who had already obtained a Halal Certificate, to confine the Halal products to the Muslim Community only, has decided to share the following decisions of the ACJU also with general public.
“While reiterating the original stand, that the ACJU introduced the mechanism of Halal Certification only the intention of facilitating the availability of Halal foods to Muslim, on a service oriented basis without any commercial motive the ACJU wishers to place in the public domain the entire turnover generated out of the certification process of the year ended 31st March 2012 was Rs. Seventeen Million nine hundred and two thousand , eight hundred and seven and cents fifty (Rs.17,902,807.50) based on certifying 150 institutions registered as that time and other related service leaving a profit of Rs. two million six hundred sixty nine thousand, four hundred and twenty and cents eighty only (Rs.2,669,420.80), which has been periodically reinvested to upgrade the process to international standards.
“Therefore, the ACJU categorically rejects and denies the baseless allegations of raising funds for dubious purposes.
It is due to the extremely economical and transparent nature of the certification process that several commercial organizations had voluntarily opted to apply for the certificate for their commercial benefit understandably to increase their market share.
“However, despite the clarifications given by the ACJU, and its continuous offer to audit its process, several misconceptions and doubts have been created in the minds of the general public about the process. “As an organization, which has been in existence for more that 87 years, committed for the peaceful coexistence among the communities the ACJU reiterates its commitment to maintain peace, harmony and peaceful co-existence of different races, “the press release also added.
Daily News - 27/02/2013