“OIC/SMIIC Halal Products Standards and Testing” training course was held between 22-26 August 2022 in Uganda in collaboration with COMSTECH Secretariat and Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) with an aim to encourage the harmonization of halal standards used in the OIC Member States and internationally by aiding in the adoption and use of the OIC/SMIIC halal standards. The training course was designed to train the participants from Africa LDC-OIC Member States regarding the procedures for adoption, implementation and use of the OIC/SMIIC halal food standards.

The training was attended by the participants both in-person and online. The Rector, Islamic University in Uganda, Prof. Ismail Simbwa Gyagenda, welcomed the participants and the experts. The Secretary General of SMIIC, Mr. İhsan ÖVÜT and the Coordinator General of COMSTECH, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary addressed the inaugural session of the training. Both the dignitaries presented the information on the detailed activities of their organizations.

The official opening of the training course was honored by the attendance of His Eminence, Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the 2nd Deputy Mufti of Uganda as well as the Chief Guest, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Musanza, the State Minister in charge of Science, Technology, & Innovation, Office of the President and Hon. Oleru Hudah, the State Minister for Defense in charge of Veteran Affairs and H.E. Ambassador Askar Mussinov, Assistant Secretary General (S&T), Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The training course included the following technical sessions:

1. OIC/SMIIC 1:2019 – General Requirements for Halal Food
2. Auditing of Testing Labs in line with OIC/SMIIC 35 – Conformity Assessment – General Requirements for the Competence of Laboratories Performing Halal Testing.
3. The Testing Procedures standards such as Test Method for detection of porcine in Food Products (meat, processed food and gelatin) which are being chosen at SMIIC TC1 Technical Committee for Halal food issues.

First day of the training program was a general halal awareness day which was attended by more than 200 people. Topics in the first day included introduction about SMIIC, standardization, quality infrastructure, halal in Africa, halal food, halal cosmetics, halal pharmaceuticals, halal testing laboratories and OIC/SMIIC standards.

OIC/SMIIC 1  training was attended by around 100 students from different 15 African countries while OIC/SMIIC 35  training was attended by around 30 students from different 15 African countries especially from Uganda, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Somalia, Nigeria, Benin, Mali, Senegal, Kenya, Gambia, Gabon, Tanzania, Sudan,  Burkina Faso and Cameron.

The training program has also attracted participants including scientists, officials of Halal Bureaus Kenya, Senegal, Guinea, as well as representatives of UMMA University, Kenya, Muslim University of Morogoro, Tanzania; and Sumayt University in Zanzibar. The Vice Chancellors of Bauchi State University, Istiqama University, and Al Ansar University from Nigeria have also graced the occasion with their presence. Ugandan delegates from IUIU, KIU, and Muni Universities as well as Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Uganda Muslim Supreme Council Halal Bureau, Uganda Halal Bureau and other stakeholders also participated in the training course.