Looking Back At 2013
The year 2013 came to a close without much fanfare, but IFANCA achievements during the year were significant.
On the halal certification front, IFANCA halal certified production sites surpassed the 4,000 mark. The sites, located in 65 countries, produce over 50,000 industrial and retail halal certified products, from dairy products to deodorant.
Taking a look at IFANCA’s 2013 calendar, we see it was filled with conferences from all over the world. IFANCA staff was invited to attend and speak at conferences in Indonesia, Malaysia, Kuwait, Turkey, Dubai, Sharjah, and Pakistan.
The year also saw IFANCA organize the 15th International Halal Food Conference in Rosemont, Illinois. The conference was attended by 300 participants. Bill Curtis, a Chicago news media icon, delivered the keynote address at the Community Banquet dinner. Other prominent speakers at the conference included dignitaries from Islamic organizations around the globe, food industry management, university professors, and consultants.
During the year, IFANCA continued to publish the quarterly Halal Consumer© magazine and monthly Halal Digest© newsletter, covering a wide range of topics of interest to all consumers. Over 25,000 copies of each issue of Halal Consumer magazine were printed and distributed, with 12,000 copies mailed to individuals and Islamic centers, 2,500 copies mailed to client food companies, and the remainder distributed through free pick-up sites at Islamic centers and other outlets.
Development continued on the Sabeel Center, an IFANCA community initiative, located in Des Plaines, Illinois. The Center will host local social, educational, healthcare, and community development meetings and workshops. It is expected to be fully operational in 2014.
IFANCA also acquired space in the Chicago Loop to establish a Muslim Resource Center and an educational institution for halal sciences. The work will, inshaAllah (God willing), continue on these educational resources.
The Board of Directors approved over two million dollars in grants at institutions of higher learning to create educational and awareness programs about halal.
IFANCA also supported social and educational programs at various Islamic Centers with donations in the amount of $200,000.
The philanthropy continued with the 13th annual Turkey Drive. In cooperation with American Muslims for Activism and Learning (AMAL), the Webb Foundation, and Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), Sabeel Food Pantry, another IFANCA initiative, distributed 1,000 turkeys at Thanksgiving to less privileged families in Chicago. Sabeel Food Pantry also continued to serve 50 families with weekly donations of dry food goods from its location on Belmont Avenue.
Internally, benefits were bolstered by replacing the health insurance stipend with a health insurance plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.
There were also significant additions to the IFANCA staff. Roger Othman rejoined IFANCA as Executive Director after a hiatus of 20 years; Maria Omar reclaimed her position as Director of Media Relations after taking time off to have a baby (congratulations, Maria!); Kristin Pufpaff, DVM, joined IFANCA as veterinarian responsible for developing animal welfare protocols and interacting with other organizations; Ali Othman is the newest member of the halal certification team; the data entry and customer service team welcomed Ghazi Sarmad; Alia Shalabi joined the publications and content team; and Asma Shakir Farhan came on board as a corporate management trainee. Welcome (back), staff!
Lastly, IFANCA finished the year strong with the huge honor of receiving the prestigious Islamic Economy Compliance and Standardization award at the Global Islamic Economy Summit in Dubai. Presented to Dr. Muhammad Munir Chaudry by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and Ruler of Dubai, the award “celebrates established and emerging companies that have demonstrated significant business and social impact using the Islamic economic ethos, and have inspired a new generation of leaders.”
Last year was a very exciting and rewarding one, and we look forward to the challenges and rewards of 2014.
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Resolving To Go Halal
Many people view the beginning of a new year as an opportunity to quit bad habits and start fresh. For most, these “resolutions” to eat less, exercise more, or give up soda are broken well before the snow outside has melted for the last time. This year, why not take a different approach? In 2014, why not resolve to go halal-certified? With myriad IFANCA® halal-certified products to choose from, it’s easier than you think.
We know that pork and alcohol are not halal, but why wouldn’t cheese be? The enzymes in cheese can be from non-halal sources like porcine enzymes from pigs. When you pick up a package of cheese and read the label, it will not say “porcine enzymes”; it will just say “enzymes.” To ensure you are buying a product that is guaranteed not to contain these unclean ingredients, look for the Crescent-M symbol somewhere on the packaging. Cabot Creamery has an excellent selection of halal-certified cheeses to choose from.
IFANCA certifies several types of bread halal for several different brands, including Kontos Pita and American Bakery Lawash.
Quench your thirst knowing the ingredients in your beverage are all halal with one of the many halal-certified POM Wonderful products.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with Godiva chocolates, Bard Valley Medjool dates, or Sun Dates brand dates, all of which are certified halal.
You can even feed your baby halal formula – select Similac baby formulas are certified halal by IFANCA.
Do you know what is in your lotion? Face wash? Shampoo? Conditioner? Select Forever Living products are halal-certified. What about your deodorant? Body wash? Toothpaste? Mouthwash? Tom’s of Maine is halal-certified as well. So you can be sure there is no gelatin or any questionable ingredients in, or coming in contact with, the products you use for the daily care of your skin and body.
If you wear makeup, do you know what that foundation is made out of? How about your lipstick? Eyeshadow? With halal-certified Amara brand makeup you can feel confidant your beauty product needs are met the halal way. Not only that, but Amara products are also paraben-free, gluten-free, petrochemical-free, and made with organic ingredients.
This year, resolve to make sure what you eat and put on your skin is halal whenever possible. Go the extra mile by requesting halal-certification of any products you love that are not currently certified. Halal is already on the map…let’s see how far we can take it.
For a complete list of all IFANCA halal-certified products, click the Certified Products tab on our website.
