New working group to oversee halal food compliance in Oman
Chaired by Director of Department of Food Specifications and Conformity at the ministry, the group will include representatives from Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs. It will set controls and requirements for halal foods, review and update technical regulations, and re-examine approvals granted to food establishments exporting meat and poultry to Oman.
The working group will also coordinate overseas inspections of exporters certified by authorised halal bodies, conduct field visits to local producers and develop a framework for accrediting foreign establishments. Additionally, it will look into governance reforms by creating a system for appointing authorised halal-certification bodies in line with international standards.
Halal food – 'permissible' in Arabic – follows dietary guidelines in the Quran that emphasise cleanliness, animal welfare and hygiene. Certification involves auditing preparation practices to ensure the supply chain – from slaughtering to packaging – complies with Islamic law.
The decision generated reaction from citizens on social media. Dr Ahmed al Mahrouqi welcomed the move, calling it 'a vital step towards ensuring Omani consumers have complete confidence in the religious and hygienic integrity of what they eat'. He added that aligning certification with global practices would also strengthen Oman's position in international food trade.
Another citizen, Khalid al Hinai, said the move reflected 'a strong commitment to Sharia-compliant food standards' and would ensure both imported and locally produced meat products meet the highest religious requirements. 'This will not only boost consumer trust but also strengthen Oman's position as a leader in the halal sector,' he said.
Hinai added that hygiene is one of the key reasons many prefer halal food. 'From slaughtering animals to packaging products, hygiene is paramount. This means fewer chances of contamination, resulting in safer food for consumption.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
17 hours ago
- Observer
Arab countries reject Israeli settlement plan
Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Foreign Minister, has condemned the statements made by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, in a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of 30 Arab and Islamic countries, as well as the Secretaries-General of the League of Arab States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The statement strongly denounced Netanyahu's remarks regarding the so-called Greater Israel. The joint statement emphasised that Netanyahu's statements represent a blatant violation of international law and stable international relations. They pose a direct threat to Arab national security, state sovereignty; and regional and international peace. Arab and Islamic countries reiterated their commitment to international legitimacy and the UN Charter, particularly the article prohibiting the use or threat of force. They pledged to adopt policies that promote peace and benefit all countries and peoples by prioritising security, stability and development over control and coercion. Furthermore, the statement condemned the approval by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of a settlement plan in the E1 area and his racist rejection of a Palestinian state. These actions were deemed a violation of international law and an attack on the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state within the 1967 borders. Israel was reminded that it has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory. The foreign ministers of Arab and Islamic countries also rejected the settlement plan and all illegal Israeli measures, citing Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemns Israeli settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territories. They supported the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion, which called for an immediate end to the Israeli occupation and reparations for damages caused. Additionally, the ministers warned against Israeli policies aimed at annexing Palestinian territories and expanding settlements in the West Bank. They highlighted the threats posed to Islamic and Christian holy sites, such as the Al Aqsa Mosque, as well as settler terrorism and the displacement of Palestinians. These actions were seen as fuelling violence and hindering prospects for a comprehensive peace. — ONA
Observer
19 hours ago
- Observer
Countries issue a joint statement condemning Greater Israel
A joint statement has been issued by the Foreign Ministers of 31 Arab and Islamic countries and the Secretaries-General of the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the GCC states. It condemned in the strongest terms the statements made by Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel (the occupying power), which were reported by the Israeli media, regarding so-called "Greater Israel." These statements represent a gross disregard and a blatant and dangerous violation of the rules of international law and the foundations of stable international relations, and constitute a direct threat to Arab national security, the sovereignty of states, and regional and international security and peace. They stress that while the Arab and Islamic states affirm their respect for international legitimacy and the Charter of the United Nations, particularly Article 2, paragraph 4, regarding the rejection of the use or threat of force, the Arab and Islamic states will adopt all policies and measures that frame and consolidate peace, in a manner that achieves the interests of all states and peoples in security, stability, and development, far from the illusion of control and the imposition of the power of force. They also condemn in the strongest terms the approval by extremist Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich of the settlement plan in Area 1 and his extremist, racist statements rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state. They consider this a flagrant violation of international law and a blatant assault on the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent, sovereign state on the June 4, 1967, lines, with occupied Jerusalem as its capital. They emphasize that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory. They affirm their absolute rejection and condemnation of this settlement plan and all illegal Israeli measures, which constitute a flagrant violation of international law and Security Council resolutions, in particular Resolution 2334, which condemns all Israeli settlement activities aimed at changing the demographic composition, character, and legal status of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Palestine. They also reaffirm the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which emphasized the illegality of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory and the necessity of ending it immediately, eliminating its effects, and providing compensation for its damages. They warn of the danger of Israeli intentions and policies aimed at annexing Palestinian territories, and the continued extremist Israeli government's expansionist settlement approach in the occupied West Bank, including attempts to harm Islamic and Christian holy sites, foremost among them the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, as well as settler terrorism, daily incursions into Palestinian cities, villages, and camps, the systematic destruction of Palestinian refugee camps, and the displacement of Palestinians from their homes. This directly contributes to fueling cycles of violence and conflict and undermines the chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region. They also warn against relying on ideological and racist illusions, which threaten to intensify the conflict, making it difficult to control its course or predict its outcomes, and threatening regional and international security and stability alike. In a related context, the foreign ministers of the Arab and Islamic countries, the League of Arab States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation reiterate their rejection and condemnation of the crimes of Israeli aggression, genocide, and ethnic cleansing. They also affirm the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, while ensuring unconditional access to humanitarian aid to halt the systematic starvation policy used by Israel as a weapon of genocide. This requires an immediate end to the deadly Israeli blockade of the Strip, the opening of Israeli crossings with the Gaza Strip, and holding Israel, the occupying power, fully responsible for the consequences of its crimes in the Gaza Strip, including the collapse of the health and relief system, as the occupying power. They also reaffirm their complete and absolute rejection of the displacement of the Palestinian people in any form and under any pretext, and call on the international community to pressure Israel to halt the aggression and fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip, in preparation for creating the appropriate conditions for implementing the Arab-Islamic plan for early recovery and reconstruction efforts in the Strip Emphasizing that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory, and the necessity for the State of Palestine to assume governance responsibilities in the Gaza Strip as well as in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with Arab and international support, within the framework of the political program of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, and the policy of one system, one law, and one legitimate weapon. In this context, they call on the international community, especially the permanent members of the Security Council, particularly the United States of America, to assume their legal and moral responsibilities and work immediately to compel Israel to halt its ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip and its dangerous escalation in the occupied West Bank, and to stop the delusional, inflammatory statements issued by its officials. In addition, they call on the international community, especially the permanent members of the Security Council, to assume their legal and moral responsibilities and to work immediately to compel Israel to halt its ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip and its dangerous escalation in the occupied West Bank, and to stop the delusional, inflammatory statements issued by its officials. They also call on the international community to provide international protection for the Palestinian people, enable them to obtain their legitimate rights, foremost among which is their right to establish their independent, sovereign state on their national soil, and hold accountable the perpetrators of crimes and violations against the Palestinian people. Foreign Ministers include those from Oman, Jordan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Qatar, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Sryia, Turkey, UAE, Yemen, the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation.
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Embassy of India in celebrates 79th 1-Day
MUSCAT, AUG 16 The Embassy of India in Muscat celebrated its 79th Independence Day on August 15 at the embassy premises as well as in their schools besides a large community gathering at the Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel in the evening by the Indian Social Club. The Embassy of India hoisted the tricolour flag at 5 am under the auspices of G V Srinivas, Ambassador of India in Oman, and with the participation of more than 1,000 people including members of the Indian and Omani communities at the embassy premises. The Ambassador of India to Oman commenced the celebrations by paying a floral tribute to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, a global icon of peace and non-violence and raised the national flag of India, accompanied by the singing of the National Anthem. Ambassador Srinivas read out excerpts from the speech delivered on the eve of Independence Day by President of India Droupadi Murmu, emphasising the progress India has made over the past decades and the vision for a prosperous future and in enhancing its relations with Oman which is home for more than 500,000 Indians. Later in the day, the children from various Indian schools in the capital area hosted the Ambassador as chief guest and Syed Salman, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian Schools in Oman being the Guest of Honour and members of the Board of Directors, the media, and the SMC in attendance to a spectacular show of solidarity and patriotism. Tavishi Behal Pandey, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India in Oman attended the culmination of the Indian Schools' ISM@50 with children as well as parents in attendance at the premises of Indian School Muscat which also recreated the street side food culture as well as various colourful events. Later in the evening, the Board of Directors of the Indian Social Club organised an evening of colourful performances by members of various regional wings that marked a brilliant end to the celebrations of the 79th Independence Day at the Al Bustan Palace. Dr Avirat Vaishnav, Senior Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at Royal Hospital, was honoured with the 'Indian of the Year' Award which is in the 2nd edition for his contributions to the Indian as well as the Omani societies. Babu Rajendran, Chairman of ISC and Shakeel Komoth, Vice Chairman also addressed the audience.
