Tan Sri Dr Mohd Daud Bakar receives Royal Award for Islamic Finance 2022

The Royal Award for Islamic Finance 2022 (The Royal Award) has been bestowed onto Tan Sri Dr Mohd Daud Bakar by the King of Malaysia, HM the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. 

Tan Sri Dr Mohd Daud, an eminent shari’ah scholar, is widely recognised for his contributions to the development of the global Islamic finance industry. He currently serves as Chairman of the Shariah Advisory Council for both Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC). He is also a shari’ah board member of international financial institutions and organisations such as Amundi Asset Management (France), Bank of London and Middle East, Dow Jones Islamic Market Index (New York), Morgan Stanley (Dubai), and Sedco Capital (KSA).

Tan Sri Dr Mohd Daud is additionally instrumental in developing the first shari'ah standard on gold issued by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI). His multidisciplinary knowledge has helped bridge the application of shari’ah principles in modern Islamic finance, leading to further advancement of the industry. 

Tan Sri Dr Mohd Daud was also a former President of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). In addition, he has established a few shari’ah advisory services and fintech companies, contributing to shari’ah-related framework and policies, product structuring, human capital development and technology solutions. 

A prominent figure in Islamic finance thought leadership, Tan Sri Dr.Mohd Daud Bakar is also an award-winning author, with more than 40 books written in various genres. His books shed light on modern scholars’ interpretation of shari'ah rulings and its practical application in the Islamic finance industry. He has published numerous articles in academic journals, some of which were presented at established international conferences. 

Jury Chairman Tun Musa Hitam said, “The Jury went through a stringent and rigorous selection process on the merits and achievements of each nominee before arriving at a final decision. As a respected shari’ah scholar, author and entrepreneur, Tan Sri Dr Mohd Daud Bakar has played a prominent role in shaping the global Islamic finance industry. He is widely recognised for his contributions in advancing shari’ah thought leadership in Islamic finance.” 

The Royal Award, established in 2010, is a biennial award jointly organised by Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission Malaysia as part of the Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC) initiative to recognise and honour individuals who have excelled in advancing Islamic finance globally through their outstanding contributions and achievements. 

Past recipients include Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, former Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia (2018); Professor Datuk Dr Rifaat Ahmed Abdel Karim, former CEO of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (2016); Dato’ Dr Abdul Halim Ismail, founding member of Malaysia’s first Islamic bank (2014); Dato’ Paduka Iqbal Khan, CEO of Fajr Capital (2012); and the late Shaikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel, founder of the Dallah al Baraka Group (2010).

Emerging Leader Prize and Impact Challenge Prize 2022 winners announced

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) have shared the winners’ list for the Emerging Leader Prize and the Impact Challenge Prize in conjunction with The Royal Award for Islamic Finance 2022. 

The Impact Challenge Prize was awarded to duithape and Pod for their innovative solutions in Islamic finance. The prize recognises digital and innovative solutions based on Islamic finance principles that aim to improve the economic and social resilience of financially-impacted communities worldwide. 

This prize is jointly organised with the World Bank Group Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Finance Hub in Malaysia and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). The organisers received 50 applications from 14 countries. Twenty-five teams were then shortlisted to join an Accelerator Programme, after which the two winners were selected. 

Duithape, with roots in Indonesia, is a biometric-based mass payment system focusing on the unbanked. The digital payment system enables financial providers to disburse shari’ah-compliant microfinancing via a cashless in-merchant transaction to micro and SME borrowers, including those in remote areas. 

Pod is a financial wellbeing platform for gig workers and the underserved in Southeast Asia. This Malaysian solution helps users save money and access shari’ah microfinancing and financial products. The platform also uses artificial intelligence (AI) to build credit records for borrowers that give them better access to financing products from banks. 

The Emerging Leader Prize recognises young international talent who have made outstanding contributions in advancing innovative ideas in the field of Islamic finance. The inaugural prize was awarded to Umar Abdullah Mahmud Munshi, the co-founder and Group MD of Ethis Group. 

Ethis is involved in fintech, impact investment, and Islamic crowdfunding platforms and has facilitated investments from over 50 countries to fund small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and social housing projects. 

The Islamic finance community widely sees Umar as a pioneer in fintech and crowdfunding for Islamic finance. He is the president of the Islamic Fintech Alliance founders' group, a global group that encourages collaboration and learning among members, from more than 10 countries. Umar also serves in numerous advisory capacities to advance Islamic social finance, community empowerment, and social enterprises.

MOHU reports a well-planned Hajj 2022

The KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU) has shared that the end-to-end management of Hajj pilgrims for 2022 includes the use of new technologies, including field surveillance cameras, smartphone apps, performance dashboards and a smart Hajj platform. Data captured through the various channels is used to finetune operations.

Crowd control was successfully supplemented by surveillance cameras at the holy sites, leading to pilgrims being guided to the Jamarat site on the 1st day of Tashreeq, the 2nd day of Eid al-Adha (11 July 2022), without incident*.

rly, the routing of pilgrims was completed on time and without any conflicts as they went from Jamarat al-Soghra to Jamarat al-Wusta, and then to Jamarat al-Aqaba. The routes are complex as there are four storeys on a pedestrian bridge from which to access the Jamarat towers. Other strategies to enhance the ease of the ritual included requesting pilgrims from carrying personal belongings during the Jamarat ritual, and requiring a regiment leader for every 90 pilgrims.

Crowd control was also in place from 12 Dhulhijjah to enable pilgrims to perform the farewell Tawaf, or circumnambulation of the Ka'abah, one of the last rituals of the Hajj. 

MOHU separately reported that its Communication Center has fielded more than 222,000 phone calls as well as enquiries via e-mail and through Twitter for the Hajj season to date. A toll-free hotline answered about 3,000 calls per day, the majority of which were questions about how to obtain visas, applying for Hajj, how to benefit from the Eatmarna app, and technical support. Some 3,600 e-mails were answered during the same period. The @MOHU_Care Twitter account responded to more than 1,290 tweets and messages as well.

*Eid al-Adha occurs on the 10th of the month Dhulhijjah. One of the key Hajj rituals, the stoning of the devil, takes place at three towers at Jamarat in the city of Mina on the 2nd day of Eid al-Adha, 11 Dhulhijjah. The 11th to 13th of Dhulhijjah are called Tashreeq days, and come with specific rituals which are permitted or forbidden.

Singapore pilgrims depart for Hajj

The Chief Executive of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), Kadir Maideen has left Singapore for KSA as the head of the Singapore Pilgrims’ Affairs Office (SPAO).

On Facebook Maideen said: "For Muslims, performing the Hajj is the pinnacle of our faith. The sight of families and friends during the sending off of the pilgrims is a special shared moment which highlights the importance of this journey.

Given the significance of this journey, much preparations have gone towards this undertaking. The SPAO will take all necessary measures in ensuring the wellbeing and safety of our pilgrims, insha'Allah. Our medical team is also ready to provide any assistance, as well as support in adhering to the necessary protocol during the course of the pilgrimage in the holy lands of Makkah and Madinah. I seek the community’s continued prayers for a smooth and safe Hajj for all our pilgrims."

iRead Arabic reading competition now open to all Arab countries

Source: Ithra. Winners of iRead 2022.

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) flagship Arabic reading competition iRead is expanding beyond KSA to readers across the Arab world.

The President and CEO of Saudi Aramco, Engineer Amin bin Hassan Nasser, made the announcement at the closing ceremony of  the 7th iRead in late June. Al-Nasser additionally hoped that the Nobel Prize for Literature will be awarded to a Saudi author in the future, and that iRead will play a role towards that achievement. 

Hussain Hanbazazah, the Director of Ithra, said: "iRead has witnessed rapid development since its inception in 2013, as well as an increase in the number of participants which to date exceeded 75,000 readers. With its continued growth, Ithra has continually developed the programme on an annual basis, expanding and enhancing it further so that more bibliophiles can have the opportunity to join. 

"Reading is one of the pillars of the Arabic language, and one that can become a tool of human development and innovation." 

Hanbazazah additionally pointed out the role played by the competition in promoting knowledge and raising awareness by encouraging youth to compete, and praised the role that Ithra continues to play in nurturing a passion for literature and reading through its library, which has received more than 1 million visitors since the centre's inception.

Winners at the 7th iRead included:

- Khazina Al Shammari, Reading Ambassador

- Khuloud Al Anzi, Reading Ambassador

- Maha Al Omari, Reading Ambassador

- Munira Al Hwaidi, Translation Ambassador

- Wijdan Al Widyani, Translation Ambassador

- Marwan Al Rasheed, Translation Ambassador

- Zainab Al Nasser, Young Reader 

- Mohammad Al Khalifa, Young Reader

- Shahd Al-Qaisum, voted Reader of the Year by the audience.

 

UAE discusses Hajj logistics

The UAE Pilgrims’ Affairs Office has reviewed the tasks assigned to the committees and the preparedness of all executive and operational plans to serve Emirati pilgrims for Hajj 2022, from the arrival of the Emirati pilgrims at the holy sites in KSA until their return home.

A meeting was held in Makkah and presided over by HE Dr Omar Habtoor al-Direi, the Executive Director for the Islamic Affairs and Assistant Deputy Head of UAE Pilgrims’ Affairs Office, to discuss the latest preparations. Dr al-Direi reiterated the necessity of adopting a preventive approach in coping with challenges in the holy sites, especially when pilgrims have to perform Hajj rites in a limited time and be present in crowded conditions.

The UAE Official Haj Mission departed for KSA on 28 June.

Udhiyah, hady available from Adahi.org

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Project for the Utilization of Hady and Adahi has started receiving udhiyah (الأضحية, sacrifice) and hady (هدي, sacrifice by Hajj pilgrims on 10 Dhulhijjah) requests for the Hajj 2022 season.

The Project is supporting more payment channels and digital means to receive adahi (أضاحي, sacrifice) requests and allow the tracking of adahi ritual performances. Payment coupons can be purchased from organisations such as the Al-Rajhi and AlBilad banks. Digital services are encouraged.

The rituals are performed following organised shari'ah and sanitary procedures in Makkah's slaughterhouses under the supervision of qualified shari'ah and veterinary professionals.

Sadaqah (صدقة, voluntary charity), fidyah (فدية,charity given because of a missed day of fasting) and aqiqah (عقيقة, sacrifice on the occasion of a birth) sales remain available all year round on Adahi.org. In the past few months the Project distributed nearly one million carcasses to over 2.5 million families in KSA in cooperation with charities. In addition, meat from 300,000 animals was shipped to Muslim countries and handed to about 1.5 million families.

Australian Hajj pilgrims begin to arrive in KSA

The first group of Hajj pilgrims from Australia have arrived in KSA. This is the first year pilgrims from Australia have been chosen through a new e-registration mechanism, itself a part of a digitalisation initiative by the KSA Ministry of Haj and Umrah. The e-portal is said to offer competitive rates for Hajj packages, and streamlines e-visa issuances.

The Ministry of Haj and Umrah also shared details of domestic pilgrim registration. Over 297,000 applications had been received, with the highest proportion of applicants aged 31 to 40. There was no preference given to those who had responded the earliest.

Common salary guidelines to be developed for asatizah in Singapore

Every year, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) organises a Workplan Seminar to cover the highlights of the previous year, and share new focuses for the current year.

Source: Muis Facebook page. Highlights for 2021 included record zakat contributions as well as religious guidance on wearing a headscarf in the uniformed services.

2022 kicks off Muis' 7th Three Year Plan, which has three thrusts, developing the asatizah ecosystem being one of them. The plan will also focus on imbuing the community's religious life with Singapore Muslim values, as well as to mobilise and galvanise community assets for socioreligious development.

"As we look ahead, we must continue to focus on reinforcing our competences to strengthen our resilience for a successful future, including shaping our community’s religious life and strengthening the asatizah ecosystem. I therefore commend our asatizah for constantly upskilling to keep pace with the changing times and for providing religious guidance and care to our community meaningfully," said Masagos Zulkifli, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs in Singapore, on Facebook.

Minister Masagos said that Muis will work with madrasahs and mosques to implement a Common Salary Guideline for asatizah so that they can be compensated fairly based on their skills, competency and the value that they bring to their jobs. More details on the salary guidelines will be released soon.

Minister Masagos further shared that the International Conference on Communities of Success would be taking place this September in Singapore. "Religious scholars, state officials, and community leaders worldwide will be in Singapore to discuss current and future issues impacting the socio-religious lives of Muslims," he said.

Explore

Download the report on 2021 highlights.

Hashtags: #MasyarakatGemilang, #CommunityofSuccess, #MajuBersamaM3

Singapore Hajj quota processed successfully

The Islamic Council of Singapore (Muis) has successfully processed all 407 places as granted by KSA. Pilgrims were given the Hajj places in accordance with the conditions and requirements for Hajj 2022 as well as the places in the Muis’ Advance Haj Registration System (AHRS).

Muis said that all pilgrims have registered with the officially-appointed Hajj travel agencies and paid for their preferred Hajj packages already. This year, 10 approved Hajj packages were available, half of which offer stays of 14-23 days, and the rest offering stays of up to 29 days.

Prices ranged from S$6,830 (quad occupancy) to about S$15,125 (double occupancy). All package prices quoted included emergency medical assistance but excluded airfare, masha'ar* (المشاعر) costs of between S$5,000 and S$9,000, and and prevailing taxes.

"Muis is now working to have their Hajj visas issued by the kingdom," the organisation reported.

*Masha'ar refers to the large-scale movements of pilgrims within specific boundaries in Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina to fulfil their Hajj pilgrimage between 7 and 12 Dhulhijjah.

Muis opens Hajj 2022 to 407

In response to new developments from the KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has filled this year's Hajj quota for Singapore with eligible pilgrims who were supposed to perform their Hajj in 2020. The pilgrimage had been deferred for Singapore pilgrims since 2020 due to COVID.

Muis had previously asked pilgrims who were affected by the deferment of Hajj in 2020 and 2021 if they would be interested to perform this year’s Hajj, and recorded their vaccination status plus latest contact details. This is part of Muis’ efforts to get prospective pilgrims to prepare early, remain flexible and be spiritually, physically, mentally, and financially ready to perform their Hajj. 

Those who have yet to reply to Muis are requested to do so by 29 April 2022, failing which they will be automatically placed in the queue for subsequent years. Muis has also confirmed that all other pilgrims who are in the Advance Haj Registration System will be automatically requeued to perform Hajj in subsequent years, subject to conditions and requirements as mandated by the KSA authorities. 

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah recently announced that Hajj in 2022 will be opened to 1 million pilgrims, including 850,000 international pilgrims. Each country is accorded approximately 45% of their previous official pre-pandemic quota. Singapore has been granted a Hajj quota of 407 places, which is approximately 45% of the previous official quota of 900.

The Ministry also specified that this year’s Hajj will be allocated for pilgrims aged under 65. All pilgrims must be COVID-19 vaccinated with a KSA-approved vaccine and must submit a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours from the time of departure to KSA. 

Muis is now appointing approved travel agents for Hajj 2022 and finalising the approved Hajj packages available for pilgrims. Muis will be announcing the list of approved travel agents and package prices on 4 May 2022. 

Muis is also finalising the list of pilgrims who are able to meet the conditions and requirements for Hajj 2022 and will be issuing formal letters of offer on 5 May 2022. Eligible pilgrims will be notified via SMS informing them to check their email for details on the collection of their letter. 

Upon accepting the formal offer from Muis, pilgrims are required to purchase Hajj packages with their preferred approved travel agent within three calendar days. 

Allocated pilgrims are strongly advised to prepare the following travel documents before purchasing their Hajj packages: 

- Valid passport (six months validity before departure date) 

- Colour passport picture (4 cm x 6 cm) 

- COVID-19 vaccination certificate (www.notarise.gov.sg)

- Meningococcal meningitis vaccination certificate

- Seasonal influenza vaccination certificate (recommended) 

Given the requirement of a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours from the time of departure to KSA, pilgrims are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance that cover their medical expenses in KSA, trip cancellation and trip curtailment, should they fail their PCR test and cannot travel to KSA. 

Muis also stated that the cost of approved Hajj packages is dependent on costs in KSA. "We are still awaiting confirmation from the Saudi authorities, although there are indications that there will be an increase in costs compared to pre-pandemic times," the organisation said in a statement.

Muis announces logistics for Eid prayers

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) together with the mosque sector will open the booking window for Hari Raya (Eid) prayer slots on 28 April 2022 at 10 am. The prayer, which is scheduled to take place on 3 May 2022, will see 66 mosques offering a total of 153,250 spaces. 

Each of the 66 mosques will offer at least two sessions of Eid prayers. The first session will be conducted from 7.30 am to 8.15 a.m, and the second session from 8.45 am to 9.30 am. Of these mosques, 15 mosques that, based on data, are expecting bigger attendances will offer a third session from 10 am to 10.45 am. Congregants attending the third session at these selected mosques may walk-in to perform their prayer with no booking of slots required.

Based on attendance patterns and demand throughout Ramadhan, 60 mosques will cater to both male and female congregants while six mosques will cater to only male congregants. 

Muis encourages the community to plan accordingly, and to consider going to lesser crowded mosques that are located away from neighbourhoods and housing estates. Muis also asked congregants who are unwell or unable to attend the prayer to cancel their bookings so that others may get the slot. 

Details:

Booking of the prayer slots can be made via the Muslim.sg app or https://ourmosque.commonspaces.sg. Browse the list of mosques here.

Ramadhan talent competition in KSA focuses on Quran, adhan

Source: Syaq.

Over 40,000 people from 80 countries have entered Scent of Speech (عطر الكلام), a global talent competition focused on reciting the Quran and delivering the adhan (أذان الصلاة).

Organised by the KSA entertainment authority, the competition explores different cultures through the diversity of performance. The first-place winner for Quran recitation receives US$1.3 million, while the top prize for the adhan category is US$533,000.

The competition is broadcast on official state TV during Ramadhan. A total of 36 candidates reached the finals from Britain, Canada, KSA, Iraq, Egypt, Algeria, Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey: 18 in each category.

A panel of 13 international judges will decide on the winners.

Details:

Watch

Contributions and donations wanted for Hari Raya Drive 2022

Singapore non-profit Project Goodwill Aid (PGA) performs acts of charity year-round, but steps up even more during the month of Ramadhan. The volunteer group's Hari Raya Drive 2022 will involve the distribution of Hari Raya (Eid) goodies and green packets.

PGA is asking for:

- Monetary sponsorship of any amount for Raya goodies

- Contributions of halal-certified Raya goodies and cakes, or 1.5 l soft drinks

- Monetary donations to be given as green packets (duit Raya)

- Green packets containing donations of any amount. Please contact PGA for collection.

Details: 

Monetary donations can be given through scanning the QR code. A number of banks are supported, including DBS, HSBC, Maybank, UOB, OCBC, as well as transfers via PayNow to 8613 1242.

If you would like to contribute Raya goodies and crackers, drop-off points are available around Singapore till 12 pm, 30 April. Please inform those in charge at least a day in advance with a note that it is for PGA DRIVE 2022.

West: Hannah 8754 0337 | Halijah 9128 6092 | Wati Amir 9036 2464

North: Juliana 9830 5211

Collection point: Admiralty Drive

Central: Sasha 9397 6482

Collection point: Telok Blangah Rise

East: Khatijah 6289 7500 / 9669 1600

Collection point: Anchorvale Lane

Arrangements can be made to collect contributions that are in bulk. Please contact PGA at 8613 1242. For more details visit PGA's Facebook page, Twitter, or Instagram.

*All images from PGA.

New umrah requirements in Malaysia

Malaysia's Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has announced new procedures for umrah after from the latest COVID-19 Ministerial Quartet meeting.

Travel for umrah has reopened as of February 8. From February 14, pilgrims must have taken a vaccination booster dose, with compliance to be monitored by travel agents.

As of February 14, returning pilgrims may fulfil their mandatory quarantine at their homes, without home quarantine applicationrequiring an approved official home quarantine application (HQA). Quarantine at a private quarantine station is allowed, but would be at the pilgrim's own cost.

Dubai's Kinoya bags One to Watch Award 2022 from MENA's 50 Best Restaurants

Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants has named Dubai's Kinoya as the winner of its One To Watch Award 2022. The accolade recognises a rising-star restaurant within the region which 50 Best believes has the potential to break into the list in the years to come.

Kinoya's founder and Ramen Queen Neha Mishra opened Kinoya after a wildly successful supper club she ran from her home, called A Story of Food. Kinoya was initially conceptualised as a ramen shop, but finally took the shape of an izakaya to showcase more of Mishra's Japanese technique. 

Source: MENA's 50 Best Restaurants. Chef Mishra's Kinoya has won the One to Watch Award 2022.

Kinoya is divided into multiple sections – a ramen counter, an open seating area, a bar, a chef's table and two tatami rooms for private dining. Its warm, welcoming atmosphere is matched with a menu featuring classical Japanese dishes and other delicacies, as well as a large selection of ramen and a strong robata section. According to MENA's 50 Best Restaurants, Kinoya "is egalitarian and offers excellent value in terms of price point and accessibility".

Chef Mishra said: "We are humbled by the recognition and are delighted to be the winner of the first One To Watch Award at MENA's 50 Best Restaurants. The award is a credit to my team and everyone's hard work; we are just starting out on our journey, but this award shows us we are on the right path."

The award will be presented to Chef Mishra at a gala ceremony for MENA's 50 Best Restaurants 2022 in Abu Dhabi on 7 February.

Foodics Icon winner named

Source: MENA's 50 Best
Restaurants awards. Mouzawak.

Kamal Mouzawak, founder of Beirut's first farmers' market and regarded as Lebanon's most prominent food activist, has won the Foodics Icon Award as part of MENA's 50 Best Restaurants awards. The inaugural edition of MENA's 50 Best Restaurants will take place in Abu Dhabi on 7 February 2022.

As part of Mouzawak's vision to promote small-scale farmers, producers and sustainable agriculture, he founded Beirut's first farmers' market, Souk El Tayeb, to celebrate and preserve foods and traditions that unite communities in Lebanon. The souk spawned Mouzawak's first restaurant, Tawlet, where a different female cook sets the menu with dishes from her respective region daily. Since Tawlet Beirut opened in 2009, Mouzawak has launched five more restaurants, providing employment opportunities for women across the country.

Mouzawak is also recognised as a culinary activist for his advocacy of sustainable and humane food production systems.

William Drew, Director of Content for 50 Best said: "Kamal Mouzawak's contribution to elevating the slow food movement in Lebanon as well as preserving the culture of sustainable agriculture through Souk El Tayeb and his Tawlet concept is truly inspirational. The impact he has had on food communities through his vision of preserving Lebanon's rich culinary heritage and identity makes him a most worthy recipient of this award."

Over the past 18 years, Souk El Tayeb has evolved from a weekly farmers' market into a food movement, adding educational programmes in local schools and food festivals. Matbakh El Kell, an initiative that began as an emergency kitchen in response to the catastrophic explosion in Beirut to serve meals to food-insecure families across the city, is Mouzawak's latest venture. The success of one of Souk El Tayeb's concepts, the farmers' exchange programme, which connects Lebanon's farmers with international investor networks, is now enabling Mouzawak to expand the project.

Malaysia pauses umrah

Malaysia will pause umrah travels for pilgrims from January 8, 2022 as the number of COVID cases, especially from the Omicron variant, originating from returning pilgrims is growing. The move is expected to help reduce the risk of Omicron transmission in the country, slow the rise of COVID-19 cases, and provide time for the government to plan for the next phase of umrah activities.

According to the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), the last two weeks of 2021 saw the highest number of COVID-positive cases from travellers arriving from KSA - 1,161 cases compared to Singapore (13 cases), Indonesia (8 cases) and the UK (49 cases). 

Umrah travels began in Malaysia on October 13, 2021. As of 30 December 2021, 11,108 umrah pilgrims have returned to Malaysia, with 1,306 (11.76%) testing positive for COVID-19. Of these, 592 tested positive on the day of arrival while a further 714 tested positive on a second test conducted on the 5th day of quarantine. 

In cases where umrah pilgrims have applied to undergo quarantine at home on their return, MOH noted that some non-compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) has occurred. This has exposed family members of the same household as well as visitors to COVID-19. 

In conjunction with the pause on umrah, booking new umrah flight tickets have been suspended, and quarantine for returning umrah pilgrims will now occur at quarantine stations approved by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) from 3 January 2022. 

Pilgrims planning to travel to KSA from 1 to January 7, 2022, will be allowed to depart, but have to undergo quarantine at NADMA-approved quarantine stations when they return. Umrah pilgrims returning to Malaysia must: 

i) Perform a COVID-19 RT-PCR detection test for two days before their departure date. 

ii) Perform a RT-PCR test on the day of arrival;

iii) Undergo surveillance and observation orders for seven days at a quarantine station; 

iv) If symptomatic, they must perform a COVID-19 detection test using a RTK Ag self -test; 

v) Perform a RT-PCR test on the 5th day. 

Umrah pilgrims will be released from the quarantine order on the 8th day, if the RT-PCR test results on the 5th day is negative for COVID-19 and no other reasons arise for extending the quarantine.

APAC to drive global halal cosmetics and personal care market through to 2022

Source: Technavio, via Businesswire. Infographic on the global halal cosmetics and personal care market 2018-2022.

Technavio forecasts that the global halal cosmetics and personal care market to grow at a CAGR of 13.55% from 2018 to 2022. To calculate market size, the company considered the revenue generated from the sales of halal cosmetics and personal care through online and offline channels.

A key factor driving growth is the rising Muslim population worldwide. Technavio said an increase in demand from the growing Muslim population and rising awareness of halal cosmetics and personal care products are pushing demand up.  Improved standardisation and certifications are another market driver.

As the Asia Pacific region (APAC) is home to more than 55% of the Muslim population, the region is experiencing a relatively higher demand for halal cosmetics and personal care products. EMEA led the market in 2017 with a global halal cosmetics and personal care market share of close to 52%. During the forecast period, the APAC region is expected to register the highest incremental growth, while the other two regions will witness a decline in their market shares.

Brands listed in the report include: 

• Amara Halal Cosmetics
• Ivy Beauty Corporation
• Martha Tilaar Group
• PT Paragon Technology and Innovation, the parent company for Wardah
• Total Beauty Network, parent company of Inika
• WiproEL

Vendors in the market are trying to capitalise on the demand for halal personal care and grooming products for men. Although many vendors manufacture halal cosmetics and personal care products for women, not many cater to men. Segment categories include skincare products, haircare products, and fragrances. Celebrity endorsements are also encouraging men to use personal care and grooming products.

“Presently, Millennial Muslim consumers are becoming conscious of their looks and appearance, propelling an interest in personal grooming among young men. This expands the consumer base of the market. Therefore, the interest in personal grooming is expected to spike the volume sales of halal cosmetics and personal care products during the forecast period,” says a senior analyst at Technavio.

As halal cosmetics and personal care become more popular, the counterfeiters will also have a field day, Technavio warns.

Details:

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UAE halal food and beverage market to surpass US$5.5 billion by 2022

The UAE Halal Food & Beverages Market By Product Type (Meat Products, Beverages, Bakery, Candy & Chocolate), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets/Supermarkets, Specialty Stores, Online & Others), Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2012-2022 report, published February 2018 by TechSci Research, has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

According to the report, the UAE halal food and beverage market is expected to surpass US$5.5 billion by 2022.

Increasing Muslim population, rising per capita income and growing e-commerce are among the major factors boosting demand for halal food products in the UAE. Rising acceptance for halal food among non-Muslims, stringent import and export regulations and policies regarding halal food and beverages, and rising standards of food quality are further anticipated to spur growth in this market during the forecast period.

Some of the major players operating in UAE halal food and beverage market include Al Islami Foods, Amana Foods, One Foods Holdings, Khazan Meat Factory, Al Kabeer Group ME, Albatha, Midamar, Prairie Halal Foods, JM Foods, Al Rawdah, Nestlé Dubai Manufacturing, Agthia, Americana Group, and Aujan Industries Company.