“I am not prejudiced against other religions, but why do we (Muslims)[Muslims] started [sic] something, but then we are left behind? It is unfortunate that halal products was [sic] issued by our experts, but the people who make [the] most of the opportunities created are the non-Muslims who dominate a large portion of halal ingredients?ingredients. Where are we in this scenario,? Hescenario?” he asked in his opening speech duringat the Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries (SMIIC) Halal Conference, here today.
Also present were Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Datuk Doctor Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah, Deputy Minister in The Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Secretary General of SMIIC, Ihsan Ovut.
Ahmad Zahid said, that the time is ripe for Muslim countries to move together using a holistic approach and to act aggresivelyaggressively so as not to be marginalized anymore.
He explained, that the Muslim population will reach 1.3 billion by 2030, and halal products will be a vast market, andso the Muslim countries have to step into the forefront.
We (Muslim countries) need to do itthis together and act in perfect synchronicity. The problem is that we are in the 'red zone',; we are not moving into the 'blue ocean', causing us to be left behind, while others take advantage of the opportunities presented.
“We are too nice,; we shared [sic] knowledge with others. We create a lot of new products,; we initiated new approaches of not just putting Islam as the religion but products that need to be shared, but we are always left behind.”
Ahmad Zahid said, that the moderate approach must be nurtured to counter the the actions of a few extremist groups hasthat have marred the image of Islam and causehave caused the rise of Islamophobia.