The Halal Standards Committee of the Muslim Spiritual Directorate of the Republic of Tatarstan at the World Halal Summit 2025 in Istanbul: general provisions

The 11th World Halal Summit 2025 was held in Istanbul in November, concurrently with the 10th OIC Halal Expo. A delegation from the Republic of Tatarstan, led by Taliya Minullina, Head of the Islamic Development Agency, participated in the event. The delegation also included Rustem Gainullov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Tatarstan, and Abbas Hazrat Shlyaposhnikov, Chairman of the Halal Standards Committee of the Muslim Spiritual Directorate of the Republic of Tatarstan.

The delegation held talks with Mustafa Tuzcu, Deputy Minister of Trade of the Republic of Turkey, and Ibistam Ahmed Saeed Al Farooqi, Deputy Minister of Investment Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman. Meetings were also held with international organizations, including The Saudi Halal Center, The Halal Assessment Council (HAC), and SMIIC.

The Chairman of the Halal Standards Committee of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan also held several meetings with international partners:
— a meeting with colleagues from Singapore;
— talks with Zafer Soylu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Helal Akreditasyon Kurumu (HAK), Turkey;
— discussions on developing cooperation with Yusif Salem Alharbi, Director of The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

At the summit, also at the official invitation of the Turkish side, Abbas hazrat Shlyaposhnikov presented to an international audience 25 years of experience in developing the halal standardization and certification system in Russia, using the Halal Standards Committee of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan as an example.

In his speech, he explained that the Committee’s work began in 1999, and in 2009, it was created and registered with Rosstandart – the country’s first voluntary certification system for halal products and services. The Committee also participated in the development of the first national GOST standards for halal products, ensuring their practical applicability.

Abbyas Hazrat emphasized that the Committee’s activities are aimed at developing a comprehensive halal ecosystem: “Our strategic goals are comprehensive and future-oriented. They extend far beyond basic certification and encompass the development of the entire halal ecosystem.”

This ecosystem includes promoting halal infrastructure, active public engagement, organizing specialized training courses for industry professionals, and, crucially, promoting the holistic concept of Halal Lifestyle. This concept extends beyond food to key sectors such as Islamic finance, halal tourism, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and hospitality, recognizing the growing demand for a comprehensive halal lifestyle.

Special attention was paid to international cooperation. “We are an active member of the World Halal Council and its Executive Committee, as well as a member of the Association of Halal Certification Authorities (AHAC) at SMIIC. Our certification system has achieved recognition from some of the most reputable bodies in the world, including JAKIM (Malaysia), Oman, Qatar, SANHA (South Africa), Thailand, and China. This extensive network of mutual recognition agreements opens the necessary doors for Russian halal exports to key international markets, from the Gulf to Southeast Asia,” shared Abbyas Hazrat.

Abbyas Hazrat also noted the importance of the annual international economic forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” in Kazan, which is a key venue not only for showcasing products but also for uniting Muslim producers and consumers, promoting the Halal Lifestyle, and making a tangible contribution to the development of the Muslim economy.

“Over the past 25 years, the Halal Standards Committee has evolved into a rigorous, scientifically sound, and internationally recognized organization. We strive to continue this path, building trust and strengthening the global halal industry. We are confident that sharing and adapting these core principles can benefit our joint efforts worldwide,” concluded Abbyas Hazrat Shlyaposhnikov.

Press Service of the Halal Standards Committee