European Halal Congress

20/02/2026

Dear Researchers, Scientists, and Industry Experts,

We are honored to invite you to be part of the 4th European Halal Congress, a premier international gathering dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and best practices in halal quality and certification.

📍 Where? Hotel Hills, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
📅 When? June 09 & 10, 2026

Following the success of our previous congresses, this year’s event will bring together leading experts, researchers, and professionals to discuss the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in the global halal sector.

Why Join Us?
✔ Present your research on a prestigious international platform
✔ Get your paper published in the Journal of Halal Quality and Certification
✔ Engage in meaningful discussions with industry leaders and policymakers
✔ Expand your professional network and explore collaboration opportunities
✔ Experience the cultural and historical richness of Sarajevo

Full papers will be published in the Journal of Halal Quality and Certification, while accepted abstracts will be included in the Book of Abstracts and Proceedings. The journal is indexed in international scientific databases, ensuring your research reaches a wide academic and industry audience.

🎁 Bonus: Presenters whose papers are accepted for the Congress program will receive complimentary hotel accommodation.

The Call for Abstracts and Instructions for Paper Submission are attached. For any additional information, please feel free to contact us.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of an impactful event shaping the future of halal quality and certification!

01/09/2025

Dear brothers and sisters,
It is with great pleasure that I present the report from the 3rd European Halal Congress, held on June 16–17, 2025, in Sarajevo, Ilidža, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This Congress is recognized as one of the most important scientific and professional forums in the field of halal industry in Europe, has once again confirmed its status as a gathering place for leading experts, researchers, and practitioners from around the world.

A particular point of pride is that this edition of the Congress fully achieved its primary goal: to enable open and fruitful exchange of knowledge, experiences, and innovations in the areas of halal standardization, certification, the food and pharmaceutical industries, tourism, cosmetics, and other related sectors. The participation of attendees from 22 countries—including representatives of key halal certification bodies, academic institutions, laboratories, and industries—once again proved that the halal market knows no boundaries and that its relevance continues to grow each year.

The two-day program was carefully structured through plenary lectures, thematic sessions, poster presentations, and numerous business and social events, including networking activities within Sarajevo Halal Expo 2025. In addition to academic and professional contributions, the Congress played a strong integrative and affirming role—connecting actors from various sectors and encouraging concrete initiatives to strengthen the halal infrastructure in Europe.

An important step in this direction was the working meeting of certification bodies held during the Congress, aiming to revive the idea of establishing a joint European association of halal certification bodies. We believe that this meeting opened the door to new forms of collaboration and joint strategic actions in the future.

I extend my gratitude to all authors, lecturers, reviewers, partners, and participants who contributed to the high quality of this gathering. Special thanks go to institutions and organizations that recognized the importance of this platform and supported its development.

I believe that this report will not only document the event but also serve as inspiration for future activities, collaborations, and advancement of the halal sector in Europe and beyond.

Dr. Sci. Damir Alihodžić
President of the Organizing Committee

18/06/2025

16/06/2025

Sarajevo Hosts the 3rd European Halal Congress – Science, Ethics, and Cooperation in the Focus of the Global Halal Sector

Sarajevo, 16 June 2025 – The capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina today hosted the opening of the 3rd European Halal Congress, the most significant event in this part of the world dedicated to the development, standardization, and promotion of the halal industry. The event brings together experts from 22 countries, including representatives of scientific institutions, certification bodies, producers, researchers, and policymakers, with the aim of strengthening cooperation and exchanging knowledge in the field of halal.

The Congress is organized by the Agency for Halal Quality Certification of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of co-organizers: HALAL CONTROL GmbH (Germany), the Faculty of Technology, University of Tuzla, the Faculty of Islamic Studies, University of Sarajevo, and the Association "Health Through Food". The event's gold sponsor is BBI Bank, with additional support from Argeta, Perutnina Ptuj BH, IFFCO Velvet, Solana Tuzla, and the FINRA University Tuzla. The Islamic Community in Croatia – Centre for Halal Quality Certification is a strategic partner, and the Media Centre of the Islamic Community in BiH is the media sponsor.
The two-day programme includes seven thematic sessions, featuring 25 scientific papers and 7 poster presentations. Topics cover halal certification, Islamic law, food technologies, sustainable development, nutrition, and market challenges.

Dr. Damir Alihodžić, Director of the Agency, emphasized the importance of such gatherings: “The halal industry today holds an increasingly important place in the global market. This Congress is an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and connection among key stakeholders – from scientists and producers to certification bodies and regulators.”

Mahmoud Tatari, Director of HALAL CONTROL Germany, stated: “Halal is not merely an administrative process – it is an ethical framework that offers answers to today’s questions: Is it ethical? Is it transparent? Is it responsible?”
A significant contribution was also made by Mr. Ihsan Ovut, Secretary General of SMIIC, who thanked Bosnia and Herzegovina for its active role in promoting halal standards within the OIC community.

The academic dimension of halal was highlighted by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Hasni, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies, who noted: “We are pleased to see that halal topics are increasingly present at universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world. In addition to Islamic faculties, important research has been conducted and defended at economic, technological, and health faculties. Halal has become an integral part of academic research across disciplines.”

On behalf of the Reisu-l-ulema Husein ef. Kavazović, the Congress was officially opened by Dr. Ahmed Purdić, fetva-i emin of the Islamic Community in BiH, who recalled the mission of the Agency: “The Agency was established in 2006 to provide Muslims with a reliable body that guarantees the halal compliance of food, medical, cosmetic, and other products, in accordance with both Sharia principles and scientific-technological procedures.”


The Congress is further enriched by the publication of the Book of Abstracts and Papers, as well as the latest issue of the international scientific journal "Journal of Halal Quality and Certification" (3rd edition), reinforcing the academic foundations of the halal industry. Both publications are available in English.

14/06/2025

PROGRAM
3. EUROPEAN HALAL CONGRESS
16-17. June, 2025. - Hotel Hills - Sarajevo - Bosnia and Herzegovina

11/06/2025

Perutnina Ptuj BH d.o.o. – Sponsor of the 3rd European Halal Congress in Sarajevo

Perutnina Ptuj BH d.o.o., a leading producer of poultry and food products in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is proud to be a sponsor of the 3rd European Halal Congress, which will be held on June 16–17, 2025, at Hotel Hills in Sarajevo.

As part of the large international Perutnina Ptuj Group, headquartered in Breza and present in over 30 countries, the company consistently invests in quality, food safety, and compliance with halal standards, providing consumers with premium products that meet modern dietary expectations.

The European Halal Congress is the most significant professional and scientific event in the field of halal industry in Europe and the region. It is organized by the Agency for Halal Quality Certification in cooperation with Halal Control GmbH (Germany), the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the University of Sarajevo, the Faculty of Technology at the University of Tuzla, the Association for Nutrition and Dietetics “Food for Health,” and with the support of SMIIC/OIC.

03/06/2025

BBI Bank – Gold Sponsor of the 3rd European Halal Congress in Sarajevo

BBI Bank is the gold sponsor of the 3rd European Halal Congress, the most significant event in the field of the halal industry in Europe and the region, which will take place on June 16 and 17, 2025, at the Hills Hotel in Sarajevo.

Through its involvement, BBI Bank reaffirms its long-standing commitment to the development of the halal market and the promotion of ethical, socially responsible, and sustainable business practices in accordance with the principles of Islamic banking and the halal economy. Their support for the Congress is of great importance for strengthening the connection between the financial sector and the halal industry, both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and across Europe.

The Congress is organized by the Agency for Halal Quality Certification, in cooperation with the halal certification body Halal Control GmbH from Germany, the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the University of Sarajevo, the Faculty of Technology at the University of Tuzla, and the Association for Nutrition and Dietetics "Health Through Food," with the support of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC/OIC).

The organization and activities of the Congress are additionally supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Science, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, and the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

The Congress will bring together leading experts, institutional representatives, academia, and stakeholders from the halal industry from across Europe and beyond, with the aim of sharing knowledge and experiences and strengthening cross-sector cooperation.

Registrations for participation in the Congress are still open, and all interested individuals can register through the official channels of the organizers.

In addition to BBI Bank, the Congress is also supported by Argeta d.o.o. Hadžići, a renowned producer of halal-certified food products.

02/06/2025

Argeta is a Sponsor of the 3rd European Halal Congress in Sarajevo

The European Halal Congress is the most significant event in the field of halal industry in Europe and the region. Its third edition will be held on June 16–17, 2025, at the Hills Hotel in Sarajevo.

The Congress is organized by the Agency for Halal Quality Certification, in collaboration with the halal certification body Halal Control GmbH from Germany, the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the University of Sarajevo, the Faculty of Technology at the University of Tuzla, and the Association for Nutrition and Dietetics “Health Through Food,” with the support of the Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries (SMIIC/OIC).

The organization and activities of the Congress are further supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Science, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, and the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism, highlighting the importance of this event for the development of the halal industry and the integration of scientific, food, and tourism sectors.
This year, support for this prestigious event will also come from Argeta, one of the leading producers of halal products in the region, which will be one of the congress sponsors.

Argeta pâtés are made from carefully selected ingredients, which are the most important part of this premium product. Argeta’s greatest advantage lies in the high-quality ingredients the company sources exclusively for pâté production. With a recipe free from additives, ensuring that all pâtés are made without artificial preservatives, colors, flavor enhancers, or gluten, Argeta ranks among the most popular, safe, and nutritious products.

Their participation further confirms a commitment to promoting halal values, standards, and quality in the food industry.

The Congress will bring together experts, producers, researchers, and policymakers from across Europe and beyond, aiming to exchange knowledge, experiences, and strengthen cooperation in the halal industry sector.

Registrations for participation in the Congress are still open, and all interested parties can register through the official channels of the organizers. More information about the program and participants will be announced in the coming period.

16/05/2025

Global Knowledge Exchange – 3rd European Halal Congress in Sarajevo

The Agency for Halal Quality Certification, in collaboration with the halal certification body Halal Control GmbH from Germany, the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the University of Sarajevo, the Faculty of Technology at the University of Tuzla, and the Association for Nutrition and Dietetics "Food for Health", with the support of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC/OIC), is organizing the 3rd European Halal Congress. The event will take place on June 16-17, 2025, at the Hills Hotel, Sarajevo.

This year, the congress is expected to welcome around 30 speakers from 13 countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, the United States, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Croatia, Portugal, Serbia, Singapore, Germany, and local experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Last year's congress brought together 35 speakers from 15 countries and over 150 participants, providing a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, business networking, and in-depth discussions on trends, standards, and innovations within the halal industry.

A special value of this year's congress will be the publication of the Book of Abstracts and Proceedings and the fifth edition of the Journal of Halal Quality and Certification, providing participants with deeper insights into current research and innovations in the field.

Registrations are now open, and the organizers invite all interested parties to take advantage of this opportunity for networking, professional development, and knowledge exchange.