Redefining Halal: Halal Animal Welfare Association Calls for Urgent Reform Across the Global Halal Industry

Islamic ethics, science and consumer trust meet in a movement to embed tayyib into every stage of the supply chain. The Halal Animal Welfare Association (HAWA) is launching a groundbreaking call to action for Muslims worldwide: now is the time to reclaim halal — not merely as a method of slaughter and cross-contamination prevention, but as an integrated system of ethics, purity and animal dignity. Founded in 2018 by livestock-welfare specialist Gemma Ali (MSc, BSc), HAWA calls for a fundamental change in how halal is understood and practised, embedding the Quranic principle of tayyib — purity, ethics, health — into every stage of an animal's life, from birth to slaughter and beyond. “Halal is not just the moment of death and what follows; it is a way of life — for both consumers and animals,” Ali says. “Muslims are required to uphold compassion and ihsan (excellence) in all their dealings. Our food system should reflect this.” A deepening crisis in the halal industry Despite growing global demand for halal products, the mainstream halal industry remains plagued by serious welfare problems: inhumane rearing conditions that neglect animals' basic needs to keep up with supply and demand; long-distance live transport with little oversight or accountability when modern alternatives exist to prevent animal suffering; and non-essential cosmetics that are halal-certified yet tested on animals — violating both ethical science and Islamic teachings on unnecessary harm. Most halal certification systems focus narrowly on slaughter and cross-contamination on the production line, while ignoring the animal's entire journey, which contradicts Islamic ethics and consumer expectations. “God commands us to eat what is halal and tayyib — not merely to pronounce His name over the animal at slaughter, but to ensure that its life and treatment are also just, kind and responsible.” A growing grassroots movement HAWA recognises and supports a small but inspiring number of independently run tayyib farms emerging in the UK and abroad, where farmers raise animals to high welfare standards according to Islamic principles. However, these independent initiatives alone are not enough: “We see some inspiring farms doing incredible work — but they are the exception, not the norm. The wider commercial halal industry urgently needs systemic reform. Consumers cannot carry this burden alone.” In addition, there are welfare-assurance schemes that audit farms on welfare, such as Red Tractor, RSPCA and the Soil Association — but these schemes require stunning at slaughter, and therefore exclude the halal certification bodies and supply chains that wish to uphold religious meat production from a non-stun perspective. What HAWA is doing The Halal Animal Welfare Association (HAWA) is building a new model rooted in Islamic ethics, academic research and practical solutions: Welfare-assurance scheme — using a consultation-based approach, with awareness of different demographics, finances and climates, to help farmers raise animals according to Islamic values and modern welfare science. Academic and community outreach — working with scholars, regulators and scientists to influence policy and public understanding. QR-code traceability (coming soon) — allowing consumers to verify an animal's complete welfare journey from birth to slaughter using a QR code integrated into the welfare-assurance scheme, for those who want more detailed information. “Our research shows that when Islamic ethics are combined with animal-welfare science, the result is not only spiritual wellbeing, but also greater sustainability, humaneness and transparency.”