Our Origins
Our Origin Story
From policy pioneers to global Halal media.
What began as a niche editorial effort quickly became one of the industry’s most referenced and respected resources–recognized by governments, trade bodies, and international forums alike.
Where We Began
Founders Abdalhamid and Salama Evans took their first formal steps into the Halal space in 2003—at a time when “Halal industry” was barely a phrase. While Halal was still largely seen as a niche compliance issue, they recognized its potential as a unifying framework for ethics, trade, innovation, and global development.
With government backing, Abdalhamid and Salama Evans convened global industry leaders to shape and expand Halal regulation—organizing key events like the World Halal Forum, World Halal Summit, International Halal Market Conference (Brunei), and the Global Islamic Economy Conference (Dubai).
Through two decades of coverage, Salama and Abdalhamid remained committed to neutrality, ethical sourcing, and uplifting Halal’s values of Tayyib—pure, wholesome, lawful.
Introducing HalalFocus
By 2007, the Halal space had grown exponentially, and so had the need for a centralized, credible information platform.
Abdalhamid and Salama founded HalalFocus.net to organize and share the world’s Halal news and trends. The site quickly became a go-to resource for regulators, certifiers, trade professionals, and innovators navigating the sector’s growing complexity.
HalalFocus has since played a key role in the industry’s growth, covering the development of Halal standards, the recognition of certifiers, and the rise of new entrepreneurs.
Why Our Origins Still Matter
The foundation laid by the Evans was never just about food or regulation—it was about reshaping how the world understands Halal.
HalalFocus continues to reflect that original vision. To see how we’re carrying it forward, visit Our Mission.