The Halaal Department of Muslim Association of Malawi is a non-profit making entity representing the Muslim community in Malawi in all matters pertaining to the Muslim dietary law, and the general application of the word Halaal. It is fully guided by Malawian Islamic scholars.

In its functions, the Halaal Department (HD) establishes relations with many other certifiers at Southern Africa region level as well as world level. The HD is a member of two international bodies: The World Halaal Council (WHC) and the World Halaal Forum (WHF). In the region, the HD has relations with Halaal certifiers in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Mozambique and all Halaal certifiers in South Africa.

All these relations are for information sharing. Each organisation has its own standards, and works independent of others. But it remains necessary to coordinate with each other as all are serving the same Muslims locally and internationally. In Malawi, the HD is the Halaal certifying body and it works together with all organisations and jamaats in the country. Its guiding board consists of Ulama of all schools of thoughts prevailing in the country.

The rulings made collectively by these Ulama form basis of certification of the HD which is totally independent and designed to take the safest acceptable way for Muslims. Acceptance or rejection of foreign products certified by other organisations depends on the HD’s understanding of the systems employed in the process of certification in light of the Shariah.

In some case, the HD officials carry out visits to food processing facilities in other countries to verify the systems and satisfy the requirements. The public is implored to understand and accept the information given by the Ulama and Halaal Department on any matters relating to food and other consumables.

Our history

The Halaal Department was established primarily to safeguard the interests of the  Muslim Consumer and systematise the processes of certification
and monitoring.

Remember, the Halaal Food Industry does not start and end with meat and poultry products. It extends over the entire range of products from food to pharmaceuticals, from additives to preservatives, from source to you the Muslim Consumer.

• To improve the accessibility and variety of Halaal products.
• To civic educate the Muslim public about Halaal and Haram issues.
• To seek the cooperation and help of other stakeholders in ensuring that Muslims in this country can purchase Halaal food as required by the teachings of the Islamic Shariah.