Launch of the Makkah Halal Forum 2026: Strengthening the Halal Industry Globally
the Makkah Halal Forum 2026 kicked off today, Saturday, at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce Exhibition and Events Center, under the patronage of the Minister of Commerce, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi. This prominent event, organized by the "Manafe'" initiative, will run from February 14th to 16th, under the theme "Halal: A Professional Industry," reflecting the Kingdom's new direction towards leading this vital sector globally.
Economic importance and growing global context
The forum is being held at a time when the Islamic economy is experiencing rapid growth globally, with the concept of "halal" no longer limited to food and beverages but expanding to include sectors such as finance, tourism, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and fashion. Global economic reports indicate that the halal economy is worth trillions of dollars, making it a major driver of the global economy. Therefore, the forum's importance lies in establishing regulatory frameworks and unified standards that ensure the quality of products and services and enhance consumer confidence worldwide.
From religious observance to industrial professionalism
In his opening remarks, the Secretary General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development, Yousef Hassan Khallawi, affirmed that the forum represents one of the most important outcomes of the global "Manafea" initiative. He explained that this year's theme, "Halal: A Professional Industry," was not chosen arbitrarily, but rather embodies a strategy aimed at transforming the sector from a mere traditional religious obligation into a comprehensive industrial system. This system rests on fundamental pillars including governance, transparency, and rigorous international standards. He emphasized that the sector's future depends entirely on professionalism in management, operations, and marketing.
Mecca: The global center of gravity
The forum gains exceptional importance from its location in Mecca, the beating heart of the Islamic world. Khalawi noted that there is no more fitting platform than Mecca to bring together industry leaders and decision-makers to shape the future of this sector. The forum aims to solidify the position of Mecca and Medina as central hubs for Muslims in the fields of trade and investment, thereby enhancing the Kingdom's soft power and reaffirming its leading role in serving the causes of the Islamic economy.
Strategic events and sessions
The first day featured a high-level conference comprising five main sessions that addressed pivotal issues such as the global positioning of the halal brand, Islamic investment and finance mechanisms, and building the sector's economic assets. The agenda also included specialized workshops and a closed roundtable discussion that brought together leading figures to discuss the challenges of exporting, importing, and franchising.
This economic movement is perfectly in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 , which seeks to diversify sources of income and enhance non-oil exports, as the halal sector is one of the promising tributaries that the Kingdom is relying on to enhance its position as a global logistics and trade center linking the three continents.
