Lack halal clarity, Indonesia’s MUI warns against buying US products

Chair of Fatwa Division at the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Asrorun Ni’am Sholeh urged its public to avoid products from the United States (US) that lack halal certification, emphasizing that compliance to Indonesia’s halal law is mandatory for all goods sold in the country. 

“Avoid consuming food products that are not halal and whose halal status is uncertain, including non-compliant products from the United States,” he said as reported by Tempo.

The senior cleric stressed, halal certification in accordance with Indonesia national law is a universal, non-negotiable requirement applicable to products from various countries entering, circulating and sold in Indonesia. 

“Our laws on halal product assurance clearly state that every product entering, circulating, and/or traded within Indonesian territory must be halal-certified,” he said.

For the record, Indonesia’s halal certification framework is governed by Law No. 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance, mandating certification for a wide range of consumer goods. 

Chair of Fatwa Division at the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI). (credit photo: MUI)

According to Ni’am, the regulation demonstrates the state’s responsibility to protect citizens’ constitutional right in practicing their religion.

He added, trade is not judged by who the trading partner is, but by whether the rules are followed under the Islamic commercial jurisprudence or fiqh muamalah, nudging Indonesia to conduct trade based on mutual respect, benefit and free from external political pressure.

During his visit to several US states, Ni’am said he observed that halal systems are recognized there, as consuming halal products is a religious obligation for Muslims and cannot be compromised.

“If America speaks about human rights, then halal certification is part of respecting and acknowledging one of the most fundamental rights, namely religious freedom,” he said.

“This cannot be negotiated or exchanged for economic considerations. Even if a product is cheap or given for free, if it is not halal, it should not be consumed,” He said.