The MAFAR through its Halal Program successfully trained 44 ustadzes who are members of Hay-Ato Ulama El-Muslimena Bil Filippine, Incorporated with 10 cooperatives and associations comes from the Province of Maguindanao, Cotabato City and North Cotabato. The training was facilitated by Halal Program Chief Engr. Saidona A. Lawan on December 28-30, 2020 at Safe Haven, Catering Services, Cotabato City. The Hay-ato Ulama El-Muslimena Bil Filippine is a nation wide organization of islamic scholars that can be utilized for halal promotions.
MAFAR Minister Dr. Mohammad S. Yacob and Director II for Agriculture Services Engr. Ismail A. Guiamel has graced the said training.
Minister Yacob said that the training targeted to inspire ustadzes and promote halal program among farmers and fisherfolks from BARMM Region.
The participants attain knowledge on the different halal practices and technology application through the lecture presentation of the skilled resource speakers including Dr. Norodin Kuit, Consultant for HPMO who discussed Halal Slaughtering, Basic concept of halal slaughtering, handling of animals before slaughtering, marketing of halal meat, and relevant laws pertaining to slaughtering; while Dr. Bai Zharinah D. Manguindra presented the halal goat production.
On the third day, the participants are given a chance to visit halal slaughterhouse at Datu Abdullah Sangki to visually observed actual slaughtering and cuttings/slicing of the slaughtered cattle. After the actual observation, the meat was personally distributed to the participants.
The participants in their testimonies expressed their warmest appreciation in the ministry for the conduct of the said training. “This is the first time that ulamas are invited in this kind of very useful program” said Ustadz Marhan Burhan, one of the participants. With this pronouncements, the Hay-ato Ulama El-muslimina bil Filippine, Incorporated expressed its strong commitment to advocate halal in the community.
In addition, Ustadz Ismail Tuanadatu, Assistant Secretary General of Hay-ato Ulama El-Muslimina Bil Filippine, Inc. suggested that MAFAR should organized Technical Working Group with involvements of ulama and Darul Ifta to formulate module on halal with translation to make uniform understanding and messaging about halal by the ustadzes in advocacy through symposium, fora sermon (friday khutbah) and other forms of lectures.