Journal of Halal Science and Technology

Blockchain for Resilient Halal Food Certification during Post-COVID Era

Stephen Sim — 2023-12-31

This study examines the overwhelming effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global food industry with a specific focus on the challenges faced by the Muslim community in validating and certifying Halal food. The unprecedented disruptions caused by the pandemic, including border closures and lockdown measures, underscored the urgent need for a sustainable ecosystem to ensure food security and maintain the integrity of Halal standards. This study explores the potential of blockchain technology as a robust and transparent solution for enhancing Halal food validation, certification, and auditing. Moreover, this research examines how blockchain is applied in the Halal sector using eHalal.io as a case study and netnography to understand online communities’ behaviour regarding Halal products. By facilitating secure transactions and instilling trust in the supply chain. Blockchain emerges as a transformative tool that can empower Halal authorities to adapt to the evolving demands of Muslim consumers, especially in the rapidly expanding online realm during crisis and post-pandemic era. Through an in-depth analysis of the benefits and implications of blockchain adoption, this study contributes to the discourse of leveraging technology to navigate the challenges Muslim communities face and establish resilient Halal food certification practices in the wake of and after the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the potential of blockchain as a catalyst for innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in the Halal food industry, paving the way for a more resilient and inclusive future.

Halal Lifestyle Entrepreneurship: Concept, Practice, Prospects and Challenges

Aisah Bella-Salsa — 2023-12-31

This research paper investigates the concept of halal lifestyle entrepreneurship, a unique blend of lifestyle entrepreneurship, halal entrepreneurship, and halal lifestyle trends. Through a content analysis of relevant literature, this study explores how halal lifestyle entrepreneurs integrate their religious beliefs with their business operations, prioritise personal fulfilment and ethical practises, and cater to growing consumer demand for halal products and services. The study considers the prospective advantages of halal lifestyle entrepreneurship, such as the opportunities arising from the expanding halal industry and ethical consumerism trend, but also acknowledges the challenges in understanding what constitutes halal lifestyle entrepreneurship and the complexities of halal certification and consumer education.

Determining Halal Food Preferences among Muslims Living in Osaka, Japan

Nasyitah Ahmad — 2023-12-31

Many Muslims residing in Japan encounter numerous challenges in accessing assured halal food and beverages. The availability of Halal-certified food remains a persistent issue for Muslims in Japan, as they continually struggle to find suitable food options. This paper aims to identify the specific challenges faced by Muslim consumers in Japan, evaluate their coping strategies, and explore the factors influencing their purchasing decisions. Qualitative data, obtained through shadowing and interviews, were collected from two participants aged 23 and 26, both long-term residents of Osaka, Japan. The study revealed several findings, notably that both participants frequented stores offering imported goods. They assessed food products based on past experiences and selected grocery stores primarily based on pricing. Checking manufacturing batch numbers to determine the product's origin was considered important, and both participants placed trust in established international brands. Analysis of the research data indicated that both participants employed conservative and exploratory coping mechanisms to navigate the challenges of finding Muslim-friendly food in Japan. Further research in this domain should encompass a larger sample of Muslims and delve deeper into the awareness of syubhah products, customers’ understanding of cross-contamination concerning halal, and the logistics surrounding halal products.

Halal Green from Plant-Based Product Perspective: Palm Oil as a Potential Source for Marine Engine Lubricant

Arif Deuraseh — 2023-12-31

The green concept is the idea or the theory that harmony with the demand of Shariah, and therefore, it needs to be put into practice in the daily lives of every inhabitant on earth, including Muslims. Everyone can contribute and create impacts with their actions towards the environment; it may be good but also bad. As Muslims, it is part of their religious duties to make a good impact on the environment in general and the earth in particular. This research project is an attempt towards a halal green perspective of palm oil as a potential source of marine engine lubricant. This is because the Synthetization of Trimethylolpropane (TMP) esters derived from palm oil through transesterification has proven to be a suitable lubricant for industrial purposes. The lubricant displays good thermal and oxidative stability, a high viscosity index and, most importantly, good biodegradability. Thus, they are suitable for marine applications where environmental concerns are paramount due to oil spillage. However, the high requirement of lubricant properties due to extreme conditions for marine vehicles prevents the lubricant from being used for marine applications. Thus, this work aims to improve the important properties of TMP esters by blending them with synthetic marine engine oil. This will allow the TMP ester to achieve a higher kinematic viscosity, lower pour point and stronger wear prevention properties that are critical for applications in marine four-stroke engines while still retaining the biodegradability of the lubricant to some degree. The result obtained was a 40% TMP to 60% Synthetic Oil blend ratio that is most suitable to ensure maximised biodegradability potential without sacrificing engine performance.

The Permissibility of Utilising Stem Cells in Biomedical Treatment in ASEAN Countries: Religious Compliance Perspective

Hjh Nur Munawwarah Hj Brahim — 2023-12-31

With the rise of the halal market, more and more technologies are being used which are not specifically sanctioned by the Quran or the Sunnah. The use of stem cells in biomedical treatment, which has been claimed to have numerous beneficial effects on humans, was one of these subjects. Stem cell therapy represents a revolutionary development in medical science that offers a promising approach to treating various ailments. Hence, the present study was undertaken to (1) investigate the permissibility of employing stem cells following Islamic law, (2) ascertain the compatibility of stem cell utilisation with Islamic teachings, and (3) identify any limitations on its application. This research study is conducted using secondary library-based sources. It seeks to provide an overview of the ethical and legal considerations surrounding using stem cells as a biological treatment, specifically from the perspectives of chosen countries within ASEAN. The result shows that it is permissible to use stem cells as a treatment under strict conditions that serve to benefit mankind and that utilising them will not cause harm or invoke harm to the person or another person. It also aligns with Maqasid Shari’ah, which protects life and health and applies to several Qawa’id Fiqhiyyah (Legal Maxims). However, many challenges need to be considered regarding stem cell therapy, including ethical concerns. Therefore, several recommendations have been suggested to overcome the unethical issues of using stem cells for biomedical purposes.

The Awareness of Halal Green among Postgraduate Students in UNISSA for Sustainable Campus

Nurdeng Deuraseh — 2023-12-31

In this study, a quantitative approach has been used as the research method, using a close-ended question to examine the awareness of the Halal green concept among postgraduate students in UNISSA for a sustainable environment. The research objectives are i) To analyse the level of knowledge of the postgraduate student on the Halal Green concept in maintaining a sustainable environment, ii) To measure the level of practices of postgraduate students on the Halal Green concept in maintaining a sustainable environment, and iii) To know the medium of attaining knowledge of the postgraduate student on the Halal Green concept. The respondents were found to have a high knowledge of the Halal Green Concept in maintaining a sustainable environment. However, there is a moderate level of practice among the respondents of the Halal Green Concept in maintaining a sustainable environment. Furthermore, it was also found that there are several alternatives and suggestions for attaining knowledge regarding the Halal Green Concept, such as awareness campaigns, the Halal Green Syllabus, active engagement in green practices, and the usage of solar energy power. With these recommendations, it is hoped that we can maintain a high level of awareness of this concept, regardless of the low level of practice.