Halaal is no laughing matter. The injunction of the Noble Quran is very
specific wherein it is stated “O! Mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and
wholesome in the earth, and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! He is
an open enemy for you.” (Surah 2 Verse 168).

Consumption of Haraam affects one’s ibadaah and Imaan. For the acceptance
of one’s duas Halaal food is an essential requirement. Today’s consumer who
is more technologically - orientated and conscious of Halaal than ever
before, faces an astonishing choice of foods from all over the country and
the world. Restaurants too, offer diverse menus and constantly cook up ways
to attract your custom.

The consumer requires “instant” information to make important choices,
after all it is one’s Imaan that could be in jeopardy. It’s the “now era” of
everything instant, be it instant dinner, instant coffee, processed foods,
medication, clothing, services or news. The user wants information and news
as it unfolds delivered to him instantly at home, work or even while he is
mobile. Delayed information is history. The field of Halaal regulation with
its constant challenges of catering for the halaal conscious consumer is not
exempted from this phenomenon and displays a voracious appetite for
information from all quarters.

SANHA recognised this trend several years ago and established the first
dedicated halaal Helpline in the country. Utilised by the public, from
housewives to students, the food industry and even the occasional calls
from other Halaal bodies locally and abroad, it fields about 26 000 e-mails
and voice calls each year. Manned by trained Ulama it is centralised in
Gauteng and operates during business hours. Use is made of Voice, Internet,
Twitter and Facebook platforms.