Significance of Urban Pest Management and Food Safety and Quality System in Halal A discussion by Secretary Mehol K.

Sadain and Yusuf Morales,PhD

Introduction:
The present topic is both relevant and economically strategic to us Filipinos because of three things : 1. Food Security and Safety wherein our food supply can be protected from pests as well as the assurance that it will conform to International food and safety standards , second; 2. The Economic integration of the Southeast Asian economies to compete with the other regional markets, and thirdly; 3. The significance of the Philippine halal Industry both as an export resource and income generating mechanism for the Philippines. Considering that the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos is mandated to lead in the development of the Halal industry, it is our primary concern to assist Philippine businesses to be Halal Compliant in order to be able to compete in both the Regional and Global Markets. In line with this allow us to share three primary guiding concepts that may help us in understanding the importance of Halal both from a Philosophical and strategic perspective.

Concept of Mizan :
The Quran primarily highlights that Allah created all things in Balance (al-Mizan) , plants and animals complement each other creating an ecosystem wherein one is dependent on the other for ecological balance. The Quran castigates man for his mishandling of the delicate balance therein : Corruption has appeared on earth and at sea of what the hands of man have wrought; in order that God may make them taste the consequences of their actions; so they might return (that is : so that may return back to God) Suratul Rum (30:41) What is unique in this ayah is that it presupposes that man indeed would in time cause corruption of the earth both physically and spiritually. Many verses in the Holy Quran subsequently refer that the earth was created with a divine purpose and was created in a balance and that such a balance must be maintained as a divine mandate. Among these ayahs, most notable are the following ayahs as God says in the Holy Quran:

God produceth creation, then He reproduceth it (Al-Rum, 30:11)

National Urban pest Control Conference September 27,2013

Significance of Urban Pest Management and Food Safety and Quality System in Halal A discussion by Secretary Mehol K. Sadain and Yusuf Morales,PhD

And also:

He multiplieth in creation what He will (Fatir, 35:1)

And of course all must understand that all of this happens through Gods knowledge:

not a leaf falleth but He knoweth it (Al-Anam, 6:59)

These verses make very clear Gods activity and knowledge in His creation. The believer must be fully aware of this activity and knowledge and ponder the consequences of everything he does as he interacts with the environment. God is active in His creation now; and He knows every detail. Two further points about creation is elaborated in the following verses:

"Assuredly the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of mankind; but most of mankind know not" (Ghafir, 40:57)
And

Thou canst see no fault in the Beneficent Ones creation

(Al-Mulk, 67:3) The complexity, beauty and harmony of creation are awe inspiring, and even nonreligious people cannot fail to be impressed by it. The main focus behind these verses is that there was precise symmetry and wisdom behind the creation of the world and as such its delicate balance must be preserved.

Concept of trusteeship (amanah)

The duties and responsibilities of Man towards the environment is best described by the Quranic term khilafa (may be referred to as vicegerent, representative, or custodian) during the creation of the Primal Man, Prophet Adam :

Lo! I am about to place a vicegerent on earth (Al-Baqara, 2:30)

National Urban pest Control Conference September 27,2013

Significance of Urban Pest Management and Food Safety and Quality System in Halal A discussion by Secretary Mehol K. Sadain and Yusuf Morales,PhD

God also mentions that he has made mankind stewards as well:

He it is Who has made you vicegerents on earth (Fatir, 35:39)

Human beings, then, are Gods representatives on earth. Human beings are His stewards. Human beings must then act and live responsibly in this world. This means that if human beings are not charged with maintaining the world, or tending to it, they must at least not destroy it! Humans are on earth for a limited time and whatever they need for survival is already present on earth. Their provision, as that of all other living beings on the earth has been promised The Quran reminding us:

" There shall be for you on earth a habitation and provision for a time (Al-Baqara, 2:36)
And

"He it is Who hath made the earth subservient unto you, so walk in the paths thereof and eat of His providence " (Al-Mulk, 67:15)
The earth is made subservient to human beings, and she provides for them and benefits them. However, this subservience must be contextualized in the light of what has already been said about everything in nature being created by God, being full of the presence of His Qualities, being in constant praise and glorification of God, and being aware of God. The earth being made subservient to man does not mean that man is free to do all that he pleases without care, or that he is free to upset the balance of nature.

Concept of Halal Understood.

The Concept of Halal can be understood in three contexts: Firstly, is the context of what is allowed for consumption (halal) as opposed to prohibited (haram) which may be defined according to specific contexts such as the prohibition of eating pork or canine meat, or the slaughtering of beasts of prey. This includes the process of how animals are to be slaughtered, as The humane slaughter of animals is strongly supported in the Islamic tradition. For example, Sahih Muslim (Book 21, Chapter 11, Number 4810) records Mohammad (pbuh) saying: Verily Allah has enjoined goodness to everything; so when you kill, kill in a good way and when you slaughter, slaughter in a good way. So every one of you should sharpen his knife, and let the slaughtered animal die comfortably.

National Urban pest Control Conference September 27,2013

Significance of Urban Pest Management and Food Safety and Quality System in Halal A discussion by Secretary Mehol K. Sadain and Yusuf Morales,PhD The second context is the process of preparation of food such of which food should be both wholesome and pure,halal wa thayyib. One may look at the mode of production of food from the assembly line to the transportation and sale. Although the preparation may be technically free from porcine or prohibited (haram materials) there may be issues such as the method of slaughter (inhumane treatment of animals), or contamination of feeds with porcine materials, or the contamination of these materials during the processing/preservation/canning of the food. The Quran refers to this concept in the following ayats :

Oh, ye messengers! Eat of the good things {tayyibat} and do righteous deeds. Surely, I know what you do." (Quran 23:51). Oh believers! Eat what We have provided for you of lawful and good things, and give thanks for Allah's favour, if it is He whom you serve. (Quran 2:172; 16:114).
The word 'Thayyib', translated as 'good', 'pure', 'wholesome', etc. and means pure both in the physical and the moral sense. The third context are ancillary issues in the production process such as how the commodity is sold (is there interest for goods sold), the treatment of the personnel involved in the production process. Even though the process of food production is considered halal, if personnel involved in the process are treated inhumanely then he product is consider haram as well, since the product is a result of injustice it cannot be treated as Halal. These are the three contexts in the business of Halal. One must also understand that the halal industry is not limited to the food industry; it may involve pharmaceuticals, dress, finance and other aspects of a Muslims life particular in the transactional aspect (Muammalah) wherein one transacts business through the sale of commodities. As such any business is subject to a condition wherein it may be deemed Halal (permissible) or haram sale. This in a way shows the numerous opportunities for us to engage in the Philippine Halal Industry which is yet to be fully developed. We in the national Commission on Muslim Filipinos welcome Philippine Businesses to participate in the Philippine Halal Industry which is earmarked and seen as one of the potential earners for the country.
4 National Urban pest Control Conference September 27,2013

Significance of Urban Pest Management and Food Safety and Quality System in Halal A discussion by Secretary Mehol K. Sadain and Yusuf Morales,PhD

How relevant is Halal to the Philippine Pest Control Industry?

The relevance of Halal to the Philippine Pest Control Industry can be seen in the light of crop and food security. First, food security is the cornerstone of any National economy, and that part and parcel of food security is the assurance that industries connected to this commodity, which includes agricultural production and ancillary industries like pest control and fertilizers remain committed to ensuring that their products do not compromise the safety, hygiene and wholesomeness of food produced. Ensuring that the Pest Control Industry adheres to the standards on Halal and ensure that crops that are subjected to pesticides remain viably wholesome. Part of this would also mean the environment remain protected and undamaged to ensure that the land remains suitable for agricultural produce. Second is that the process of pest control involves not only the usage of chemicals but also the manipulation of environmental variables to ensure that pest infestation will not recur. One must consider that man is both user and trustee of this earth and as such, must ensure that manipulation of environmental variables as well as the usage of chemicals will not scar the earth rendering it useless for other purposes or poisoning the water table which is in many cases the source for water for many areas. Water is still and will always be one of the most valuable resources man will have to manage in order for us to continue existing as a species in this earth for that matter. Bearing in mind these two considerations, it is hoped that the Philippine Pest Control Industry would participate in the development of the Philippine Halal Industry therefore contributing to the creation of new businesses which in turn would lead to the generation of jobs which would ultimately contribute to the Economy as manifested in the Gross Domestic Product .

Thank you very much and Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

National Urban pest Control Conference September 27,2013