Country: United Kingdom
Organisation Name: Halal Animal Welfare Association
Started in the Year: 2018
Position: Founder
Website: www.HalalAnimalWelfare.com
Personal Introduction:
Gemma Ali has an MSc in Animal Welfare and Conservation and a BSc in Animal Management – specialising in Livestock science and technology. An animal lover with a passion for animal ethics and sentience she started the association due to the founders concern for the husbandry and welfare of livestock being raised for Halal consumers. In addition lack of transparency and regulation regarding Halal meat on supermarket shelves, butcher shops and restaurants.
Professional Introduction:
H.A.W.A. was founded in July 2018. The founder believes the general Muslim public would like to have more of an insight into the production of Halal meat especially how the animals are raised and have the opportunity to purchase organic and free range meat as Toyyib is important to them, this was confirmed during her academic studies surveying the community if they think modern farming practices are in line with the teachings of Quran and Hadith. Education is key to making a change and the industrial scale of meat production affects the quality of Halal meat to such an extent that some of the processes may even render some meat as Haram or low-quality of Toyyib some Muslims would not like to purchase.
Gemma now works alongside Halal Industry stakeholders, certifiers and educators to expand Halal monitoring to include farm welfare, educate non-Muslim farmers who rear the animals and incorporate Animal rights and ethics into Islamic studies education for the next generation.
Interview Questions:
What inspired you to start your initiative in the Halal industry?
My love of animals and my fascination with their sentience and personalities. My studies in animal sciences led me to read further into animal rights and ethics in Islam and how the way we treat Allah’s other creations is held in high status.
| My studies in animal sciences led me to read further into animal rights and ethics in Islam and how the way we treat Allah’s other creations is held in high status. |
This brought me to the rearing and welfare of animals for Halal meat and the conditions they are raised in. I hope in generations to come the Halal meat industry will hold a reputation for high welfare and care of animals as well as the knock-on effects on our health and environment.
What were the challenges you had to overcome in the initial stages of starting your organisation?
Communication and getting others onboard with my campaign including my research thesis on the subject. Although some work has been done concerning farm animal welfare and the Halal industry most of the work and publications are focused on slaughter and so it was a challenge to get my point across that the farm is just as important.
What is the most important thing you feel anyone needs to do to build a successful career in the Islamic Economy?
Building up your skill set and public speaking skills. You may be an expert in your particular area but often you will find yourself doing a task or project you have no idea about or is out of your comfort zone. For example I am not a technology or marketing person but I have had to learn the basic skills to keep my social media pages and events going.
What were the most important learning experiences you would like to share?
Negativity and criticism will come your way, take note and learn from it.
Not everyone has your knowledge and so learning to break down your experience or message/ company aims is a must. Other things in life can affect your business, I had a successful campaign going but once COVID-19 hit perspective shifted, and animal welfare was not at the forefront of peoples priorities, having to start over again may well happen to any business.
| If you think your idea is right do not give up even if you think everything is against you. Hard work, dua and sabr pay off. |
What advice would you give aspiring leaders in the Islamic Economy?
If you think your idea is right do not give up even if you think everything is against you. Hard work, dua and sabr pay off. Networking and research are key, even if you spend a year or so not making any money but building the foundations it will pay off.
