Feeding Secularism: Consuming Halal among the Malays in London

In: Diaspora: a journal of transnational studies, Band 14, Heft 2-3, S. 275-297

Abstract

In November 2005, the Halal Exhibition at the major World Food Market (WFM) in London was held for the first time. WFM also included an Ethnic Specialty Food Exhibition, as well as a Kosher Exhibition. In 2006, a delegation from the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE)1 had a booth at the Halal Exhibition. As we shall see, Malaysia holds a special position in the global halalmarket. In 2004 Malaysia launched its first Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysian prime minister, Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, argued in his opening speech that establishing Malaysia as a "global halal hub" was a major priority of the government, and that MIHAS was the largest halal"trade expo" to be held anywhere in the world.