THE ROLE OF HALAL BUTCHERS (JULEHA)

Assalamu’alaikum Sobat Halal-Mu

In daily life, humans basically need to eat and drink. Related to food ingredients are usually sourced from vegetable and animal ingredients. Vegetable ingredients are basically halal as long as there is no processing or the addition of other ingredients. As for animal ingredients, especially those derived from slaughtered animals, it becomes critical regarding their halalness.

The role of Halal Butcher (Juleha) is not only related to the process of slaughtering livestock according to Islamic law. This process also has an important influence or role in the improvement and progress of micro, small and medium enterprises (UMKM), especially meat-based foods. Halal slaughterer (JULEHA) is a person who carries out the process of slaughtering animals in accordance with Islamic law and Indonesian national work competency standards (SKKNI). The role of JULEHA is very important to ensure the halalness of meat and its derivative products.

In producing halal slaughtered animals, it must go through a shar’i slaughter process. According to MUI Fatwa No. 12 of 2009, that shar’i slaughter must meet several standards including:

1. Standard of slaughtered animals: animals can be eaten, still alive when slaughtered, meet animal health standards.
2. Standard of the slaughterer: Muslim and pubescent, has expertise in slaughtering, understands the procedures for slaughtering in accordance with Shari’i.
3. Slaughter tool standards: must be sharp, not nails, teeth/tangs or bone.
4. Slaughter process standards: intention and chanting the asma of Allah SWT, cutting the food channel, respiratory tract and 2 blood vessels, one time and precisely, hayat mustaqirrah, ensuring death by slaughtering.
5. Processing, storage and shipping standards: after the animal dies from slaughter, failed slaughter animals must be separated, separate storage between halal and non-halal, there is information and assurance about the halal status (preparation, transportation, reception).

Halal slaughter has many benefits and positive impacts, both in terms of religion, health, and economy. Here are some of them:

1. Maintains the health and hygiene of the meat, as halal slaughter removes blood, feces and toxins from the animal’s body, reducing the risk of disease and contamination.
2. Improving the quality and nutritional value of meat, as halal slaughter preserves the texture, color, taste, and aroma of meat, and contains higher levels of protein, iron, and vitamins.
3. Fulfilling the obligations and needs of Muslims, because halal slaughter can ensure that meat and its derivative products are halal and holy, so there is no doubt and no sin for those who consume it.
4. Encourage the growth and development of the halal industry, because halal slaughter can increase the demand and supply of halal meat, as well as open up job and business opportunities for JULEHA and other business actors in the halal sector.

Halal Is Our Need, Our Quality and Our Choice!