November 25, 2024
Brno, South Moravia, Czech Republic — The Center for the Study of Political Islam International (CSPII) has announced a study indicating that the market for halal products exported from EU countries has reached $72.6 billion. According to the report, this market continues to grow, and it helps to strengthen the influence of Political Islam in the EU.
In 2022, EU countries exported a total of $72.6 billion US dollars’ worth of products certified as halal. France led as the top exporter of halal products, achieving $13.8 billion in total exports. Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy followed, ranking among the top five exporters in this category with turnovers of $10.4 billion, $8.6 billion, $8.3 billion, and $6.8 billion, respectively.
Halal certification fees are becoming an important source of income for Islamic organizations within the EU. The more the halal market grows, the higher the halal certification fees collection. This has both direct as well as indirect impacts on the business, social, and political landscapes of these nations. Halal certification fees are spent by Islamic organizations in accordance with their existential purpose, which is defined by Islamic doctrine.
How The Halal Export Market Is Strengthening the Influence of Political Islam in the EU
Political Islam is a term used to describe aspects of Islamic doctrine as detailed in the three primary texts—the Koran, Sira, and Hadith—that address the treatment of non-Muslims, commonly referred to as Kafirs. This includes regulations covering various aspects of their lives, such as work, marriage, social interactions, residency and more. Our research has shown that more than half (51%) of all Islamic doctrinal text is about Kafirs (non-Muslims).
The halal market in non-Islamic countries is expanding beyond food to almost all areas of life. It includes financial investments, insurance, mortgages, travel and tourism, food, water, cosmetics, and other commodities, both public and private.
Certification authorities of halal products are usually local Islamic organizations. Thus, the halal segment of the economy operates in accordance with Islamic norms and incomes from certification fees can finance development and support of Islamic political ideas in the country. This turns halal export into an Islamic political indicator of economic impact of Political Islam on a society. Political Islam clearly defines its final goal: global Islamic dominion. This would mean implementation of Sharia which is, according to the European Court of Human Rights, “incompatible with the fundamental principles of democracy”.
What Can Be Done
According to primary Islamic doctrine, there is no religious or political obligation for a halal certification process, halal product purchase, or halal product consumption. The halal economy is a modern, artificially created money-producing economic instrument whereby a non-Islamic society financially participates in its transition to an Islamic one. This makes the halal market a direct threat to national security. Thus, halal can be rejected in its entirety.
Aside from the ethical and national security issues connected to halal certified exports, people should be also aware of issues regarding imports. Halal certified products and services, labeled or not, are offered to everyone, including non-Muslim consumers.
There should be a state-led initiative to educate about halal (certification) as well as labeling halal certified products so that citizens understand its meaning and can make an informed choices while shopping.
As a first step, the EU administration may consider banning halal products in public institutions such as schools, colleges, correctional facilities, government offices, and other public institutions.
Methodology
International trade includes export and import of various products. As per Islamic requirements, some categories of products imported by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states must be “halal”.
Halal means things which are allowed in Islam, as opposed to “haram”, things which are prohibited in Islam (for example, alcohol, pork, etc.). Halal products, as per OIC Halal Economy Report, include foods, clothes, medicines, and cosmetics (2022 Annual OIC Halal Economy Report, p. 56).
Two calculation results for Halal product export from European Union countries to Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries in 2022: in US dollars and as percent of total export.
Data sources
- Official website of the International Trade Centre containing data on export of all product categories.
- Official website of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) containing information about country membership.
About CSPII
The CSPII (Center for the Study of Political Islam International) is an independent non-profit research and educational organization. Our concern is with the ideological doctrine of Islam that relates to Kafirs (non-Muslims), and, therefore, is political. We define this part of the doctrine as “Political Islam”.
We analyze Islamic primary doctrine, and its continuous, harmful political impact on individuals and governments. We use scientific methods, rational thought and fact-based reasoning to show how the influence of Political Islam exponentially spreads within non-Islamic countries, creating the economic, legal, and sociocultural foundation to turn them into Islamic ones.
CSPII informs and educates about the existential threat Political Islam poses to our civilizations with the aim to peacefully prevent its domination over people’s lives.
Contacts
Milan Podlipný
CEO & Vice-President
Global Executive Team
[email protected]