KUALA LUMPUR, February 21, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – The recently launched publication “The Halal Journal” is making inroads into London and Dubai this year as the first halal guidebook and journal of its kind in the world, according to a Malaysian paper.

The bi-monthly magazine – as indicated by its name -- provides information and updates on the global halal market, the Business Times reported, adding that it covers all aspects of the industry, from food, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology to banking.

The Halal Journal is Malaysia's first trade and business publication serving the global halal marketplace.

“Halal is no longer just purely religious issue. It is in the realm of business and trade, and it is becoming a global symbol for quality assurance and lifestyle choice,” said Jumaatun Azmi, managing director of KasehDia Sdn Bhd, the magazine’s publisher.

Current estimates to the value of the global halal food market range from US$150 billion to US$500 billion per annum (US$1 = RM3.80).

“The scope of the halal market is vast and the market is huge. For example, there are two million Muslims in the UK, but there are six million consumers of halal meat,” she said at a new conference to launch “The Halal Journal” in Kuala Lumpur February 18.

Prior to the latest issue, KasehDia has published two pre-launch editions, the first in August 2004 for the Malaysia International Halal Showcase and the second in October 2004 for the Islamic banking and Takaful Week, the paper said.

“The Halal Journal” will be the official magazine during the Paris Halal Exhibition in June and London Halal Exhibition in November, where a special edition issue will be published.

A recent report by The Star Online said that Malaysia is becoming globally recognised as the world’s halal food hub, despite its cosmopolitan, multi-religious nature, making the country’s halal food industry a role model and adding to the boom of tourism industry in the Asian country.

Creative director, Nori Abdullah, told the Times, KasehDia aims to make “The Halal Journal” a fresh, cutting edge publication that presents Islamic issues in a contemporary and accessible way for business readers worldwide.

“Among its features include global news, local news as well as commentaries from specialists. It also has sections that look into new products, services and technologies and travel destinations."

Abdullah also said the journal, intended for both Muslim and non-Muslim readers, emphasises the vast business potential and diversity of the halal industry, according to Bernama news agency.

Nori Abdullah added the multi-trillion halal industry has a consumer base of over a billion Muslims worldwide.

Focusing on government bodies, associations and halal sector players, KasehDia is targeting 10,000 subscribers globally within two years. It currently prints 5,000 copies per issue.

In addition to the magazine, KasehDia had published eight series of “The Halal Food Guide Series” that was declared the “Best Food guide in Malaysia” by the Madrid- based Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2005, considered as the “Oscars” of food.

The book also received Honourable Mention for the “Best Guidebook in the World Award” that took place in Sweden recently.