Country: Italy
Organisation Name: WHAD ITALIA-HALAL ROMA
Started in the Year: 2007
Position: President & Founder
Website: www.whad-it.com
Personal Introduction:
Aisha is a Muslim Italian professional in the field of Islamic marketing, Halal certification and Islamic banking. After her studies in law, she moved to Yemen to study tribal law and Shariah and she reverted to Islam. In 2007 she founded, WHAD ITALIA, the first registered Italian Halal certification center. She is the first woman in the sector as independent fonder of an Halal Certification Body. She also founded a private Law school located inside the Faculty of Law of Ferrara.
Professional Introduction:
| In the period in which I lived in Yemen, I perceived a great gap between the perception and reality of Islam in Europe. |
After creating the ATS private legal and judiciary school in 1998, she moved to Yemen for studies and research on TRIBAL and ISLAMIC law. In 2007 she founded (the first woman in the sector) the Italian Halal certification center WHAD world Halal development. Although also certifying food and feed, WHAD has a particular competence in the field of Halal cosmetics, which drove the company to be chosen by the biggest international beauty exhibition (COSMOPROF) to create and drive the first worldwide pavilion of Halal cosmetics and Muslim friendly spa. Following this success, she has been asked to repeat the experience in the food sector for the TUTTOFOOD Milan exhibition. From Halal gluten free and bio projects, up to the successful ITALIA BAYTI program for Muslim friendly tourism in Italy, WHAD is involved in several innovative and scientific projects. Annamaria was honoured to personally train the 12 personal chefs of the president of ITALIAN REPUBLIC on how to cook Halal for foreign delegations, as well as the cuisine of the Italian Ministry of Defence; while the last Halal cosmetic line she certified and consulted was awarded between the three most innovative products of the year from ELLE magazine, for conjugating Halal certification and scientific research.
Journalist and writer, she has spoken at more than 100 conferences on Islamic marketing and finance, Halal certification, and their impact on business and sales. In 2015 she was elected vice president with the mandate for Arab countries for CONFASSOCIAZIONI international, the Italian confederation grouping more than 280 Italian associations of professional. From 2020 she is president of the section “food, hospitality and tourism,” with a mandate for EXPO Dubai activities.
Interview Questions:
What inspired you to start your initiative in the Halal industry?
In the period in which I lived in Yemen, I perceived a great gap between the perception and reality of Islam in Europe. This pushed me to want to better understand and, subsequently, transmit the needs, food and non-food of Muslim believers. I think knowledge and interreligious dialogue is the key to a better.
What were the challenges you had to overcome in the initial stages of starting your Halal certification body?
Before being president of my Halal certification body, I was a consultant for other bodies. until it was a Mufti who asked me why I didn’t found my own certification body, indeed I was afraid that the Islamic environment could not accept a woman in this position, but the Mufti convinced me that I was wrong , that an Italian woman could and should have this role. Despite this, I can’t say that being a woman in this sector, particularly in the beginning, was easy. Even more in Italy, as a revert, than in the OIC Countries.
| Never stop studying, updating, and networking. |
What is the most important thing you feel anyone needs to do to build a successful career in the Islamic Economy?
Never stop studying, updating, and networking. Participate in conferences, trade fairs and maintain a good relationship with colleagues and competitors, also by joining the main trade associations, Above all, do not compromise when it comes to ethics and religion.
What were the most important learning experiences you would like to share?
Being competent is the key to breaking down any objections and prejudices.
What advice would you give aspiring leaders in the Islamic Economy?
Quoting Amerigo Vespucci, Italian navigator and explorer: “not the one who begins, but the one who perseveres”: if you have a goal you believe in, never give up, and don’t forget to ask Allah’s help.
