KUALA LUMPUR, July 6, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Spreading halal products in the Muslim world at large is pushing its way up the agenda of Malaysia, the current chair of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). Halal here does not just mean food, it covers practically all kinds of products.

A glimpse in Nora's make-up bag is an insight into Malaysia's booming halal industry that has been covering all kinds of products, from shoes, meat and other foodstuffs to toothpaste, face cream, floor cleaner, paint brushes and beauty products.

“It started when I went overseas when I was 18. I became more aware of what halal means and what to eat and not to eat, so I checked labels and ingredients,” Nora Rosely was quoted as saying by Agence France Presse (AFP) Wednesday, July 5.

“Back home in Malaysia you take for granted that everything is halal.”

The 38-year-old teacher is one of a growing number of consumers in Malaysia and worldwide who have the will and financial potentials to ensure that the products they seek to buy are halal.

Nora's bag was grouping a collection of facial creams, skin toners, lipsticks, cosmetic applicators and perfume, all of which are certified halal.

“My husband is quite particular. He was prescribed with medication that said the gelatine capsule was from a bovine source. Although it’s from beef, for us, halal means it has to be slaughtered by a Muslim, so he emailed the manufacturer to ask,” said Nora, adding they are still waiting for a reply.

Within the same context, Malaysia is increasingly recognized as the world’s halal food hub. It is due to organize its annual International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) July 28-31.

Halal food production zones are already operating or being built in six Malaysian states.

A sprawling halal distribution hub has also been built at a duty-free transshipment zone in southern Johor state, on the busy Malacca strait.

The facility includes a “one-stop” centre for halal certification to lure manufacturers to export from there to other Muslim markets overseas.

“There’s a certain change in consciousness, in which Muslims and non-Muslims are aware of this huge Muslim market which has been overlooked before,” Jumaatun Azmi, from communications firm KasehDia, told AFP.

“All Muslims eat halal food and the majority of Muslims dress a certain way, but they’ve never been grouped as one market,” he added.

Malaysia's halal food industry is currently worth 150 billion dollars annually and it could expand almost fourfold based on an estimated 1.8 billion Muslim worldwide each spending 85 cents on food everyday.

Halal industry insiders explain the rising demand for the halal products that Muslims are more aware of religious practices and have better product choices.

“The sensitivity to non-halal products is because the consumer is more educated today,” said Mohamad Yakob from Halagel, which makes rock salt, herbal toothpaste, and even the sought-after halal gelatine capsules.

“A Muslim might not be a pious Muslim, he might not even pray every day. But if it comes to touching a swine or he feels that he has taken a product that is non-halal, he is very sensitive about it.”

Yakob said the business has boomed since his company diversified into a wider range of halal products.

This year it expects to makes a tidy 15 million ringgit (3.95 million dollars) in profits, up from 9.0 million ringgit last year, he added.