This research was to explore the awareness on the halal concept among kindergarten teachers in Kubang Pasu, Kedah district. In this chapter, the researcher highlighted the background of the study, problem statement, research objectives, research questions, the significance of the study, scope of study, limitations, and the organization of the study.
1.1 Background of the study
Halal is often associated with the dietary rules of Muslims. Like many religions, Islam prescribes a set of dietary guidelines for its believers to follow: In general, Islamic dietary law distinguishes between food and drink that are allowed known as halal and those that are prohibited called haram. These rules, while perhaps confusing to outsiders, serve to bond followers together as part of a cohesive group and, according to some scholars, they also serve to establish a unique Islamic identity. For Muslims, the dietary rules of allowed and forbidden foods are fairly straightforward to follow. The rules for how allowed food animals are killed are more complicated. Initially, the idea of using the halal logo is to help Muslim consumers to be sure of their product selection. Initially, the idea of using the halal logo is to help Muslim consumers to be sure of their product selection followed Islamic guidelines and principles. The only halal logo that is permitted by JAKIM is the one that has the word Malaysia.
The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), was established on 1st January 1997 by the Government of Malaysia to take over the role of the Islamic Affairs Division or Bahagian Hal Ehwal Islam (BAHEIS). JAKIM is the one who has established Malaysia's halal logo, implemented the halal certification system, issued halal certificates for local and export markets as well as monitored and enforcement of halal guidelines. Halal in Malaysia is well-regulated by JAKIM and Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) spearheading and leading the halal regulatory and industry development. The collaborations among ministries and government agencies are seen as among the key efforts in promoting and uplifting our halal industry to be seen as the leader globally.
that is permitted by JAKIM is the one that has the word Malaysia.
Initially, the idea of using the halal logo is to help Muslim consumers to be sure of their product selection. The only halal logo that is permitted by JAKIM is the one that has the word Malaysia.
As JAKIM is the only main body that could certify halal food certifications, they should improve current halal practices in food industries. Halal food operators are new to the standard and need constant guidance from JAKIM. However, despite suspending or canceling the halal certificates of operators who do not comply with the halal standard, JAKIM may enforce a penalty that serves as punishment. In the perspective of the value chain, the manufacturers must play a significant role in establishing a halal concept. In addition, JAKIM should encourage small businesses, especially SMEs to apply for halal certificates. Many of food manufacturers are reluctant to apply for halal certification. However, the process for halal certification of food products is not complicated. As halal certification is important for business operators, especially in the food business, Malaysia could consider integrating and coordinating the processes and procedures for inspection and certification.
Based on Dr Izham Shah, the halal industry is expected to grow in parallel to the growth of the Muslim population. HDC reported that the global Muslim population will increase to about 27 percent of the world’s total population in the year 2030, which accounts for up to two billion Muslims. In recent years, the halal industry has attracted a growing number of interest across the globe. We all know that; the awareness of consuming halal food is not only come from Muslims but also non-Muslims because they think it is safer to purchase halal products. The reason why the halal food industry is very attractive are that it is focused on shelf life and freshness needed for food. This condition boosted the emergence and growth of the halal food market with broad acceptance among non-Muslim consumers who consider halal food as safe, hygienic, quality and wholesome products. This opportunity has been grabbed by developed countries such as Japan, the United Kingdom and Australia which mostly depend on automotive and electronic manufacturing.
As JAKIM is the only main body that could certify halal food certifications, they should improve current halal practices in food industries. Halal food operators are new to the standard and need constant guidance from JAKIM. However, despite suspending or canceling halal certificates of operators that do not comply with the halal standard, JAKIM may enforce a penalty that serves as punishment [9]. In the perspective of the value chain, the manufacturers have to play a significant role in establishing a halal concept. In addition, JAKIM should encourage small businesses, especially SMEs to apply for halal certificates.
Many of food manufacturers are reluctant to apply for halal certification. However, in [37] stated that the process for halal certification of food products is not complicated. As halal certification is important for business operators, especially in the food business, Malaysia could consider integrating and coordinating the processes and procedures for inspection and certification.
Furthermore, to meet the halal requirement, food producers are encouraged to follow the standards that in line with global benchmarks such as ISO9000, Codex Alimentarius, QA, HACCP, GHP and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Malaysia is one of the pioneers in promoting halal products in the world and is well poised to play a leading role in boosting the halal industry. To promote the halal industry and to make Malaysia the global halal hub for production and trade in halal goods and services, the government has provided incentives for halal businesses. Based on the previous study in Malaysia, it is disclosed that the level of awareness among SME towards granting of halal certification is at low level even though most of them have strong sentiments to produce halal food products since it is a decent responsibility for Muslim society.
In order to meet Malaysia's goal as an international center of halal as well as to enhance awareness among our citizens, it should start from the beginning by instill awareness of halal food among children. The purpose of this paper is to study awareness on halal concepts in Malaysia, especially among kindergarten teachers, so that the children will notice it. This study will also discover the factor associated with the awareness of halal concepts and their practice at a kindergarten level.
1.2 Problem statement
Malaysia is now on a motion or track toward becoming a developed country by the year 2020. Thus, with such vision, Malaysia does not depend on a single sector but has various economic generators that can contribute to the country’s wealth and economic growth. In this context, one of the most important sectors is the halal food/product sector which is no longer merely an industry that complies with religious requirements to feed about 60 percent million Malaysians who are Muslims but it is becoming an economic force in itself both domestically and globally. Much has been said in the past few years about Malaysia’s drive to be a halal hub. Even though the awareness of halal and halal-certified products has increased tremendously over the past few years, awareness of halal certification has not increased much and therefore JAKIM, HDC, and government entities are taking the initiative to help boost this and bring the awareness to a higher level.
Due to this limitation, awareness from youth should be implemented. This study will focus on the concept of halal among kindergarten teachers especially kindergartens around Kubang Pasu, Kedah. As a guide, teachers need to know what is halal concept means. There are no parties that can claim the food is Halal without complying with Islamic Law. Halal and non-Halal cover all spectrums of Muslim life, not limited to foods and drinks only, but also for safety, animal welfare, social justice and a sustainable environment. Halal and Toyyiban which means clean and wholesome portray the symbol of intolerance to hygiene, safety and quality of food that Muslims consumed.
Other than that, exploring the factor associate with the awareness on the halal concept among kindergarten teachers is important because the children are the future Muslim generations who will define the practices of Islam in Malaysia. The role of teachers in being an idol and educators is very important. This study involves variables that include the factor associated of religious beliefs, self-attitude and media exposure.
The practice of the halal concept is also part that needs to be studied because we know that children at kindergarten will be served meals three times per day. All types of ingredients had been used in foods that are difficult to be understood by the public. Sometimes, the food products contain many of flavors, food coloring, stabilizers, acids and many more which are not totally halal and not safe or quite danger to customers when consuming the products. A fact shows that most do not apply for any halal standard or certification because of their perception that foods produced by Muslims are automatically halal even if they do not know the food products that they produced are totally halal, safe and healthy for consumers.
The aim of this study was to explore the awareness halal concept among kindergarten teachers in Kubang Pasu, Kedah district. Teachers were the one group of users that need to be aware of halal concepts. They should have more concern regarding of halal concept so they can practice and apply it to children in kindergarten.
1.3 Research questions
a) Does the kindergarten teacher aware of the halal concept?
b) What are the factor associated with the awareness of the halal concept?
c) How does the kindergarten teacher practice halal concepts in kindergarten?
1.4 Research objectives
The research objectives designed for this research were:
a) To explore the awareness of the halal concept among kindergarten teachers.
b) To explore the factor associated with the awareness on the halal concept among kindergarten teachers.
c) To investigate the practice of halal concepts among kindergarten teachers.
1.5 Significant of the study
This study is important for several reasons it is hoped that this study will directly or indirectly benefit several practices that are involved. The significance of this study is divided into three categories.
Firstly, this study will add new knowledge and understanding of halal concept awareness among teachers. Specifically, this study will help teacher to enhance their awareness of halal awareness concepts to practice at kindergarten.
Secondly, the finding of this study will help in order to explore the factor associated with the awareness on the halal concept among kindergarten teachers. This study will help to derived people especially kindergarten teachers to be aware of this halal concept.
Finally, this study will help the public and society to understand of the practice of the halal concept among teachers in kindergarten. This study will explore how teacher provides and served food for children at kindergarten. So that, we will produce a good young Muslim which will be our next generation who will practice this halal concept.
1.6 Scope of study
This study will focus on the halal practice at kindergarten around Kubang Pasu, Kedah. The practice includes on meal preparation procedure and syllabus that has been taught related to this matter. Five kindergartens have been chosen based on their contribution to Islamic Education in which they create an environment towards Islamic practice.
The discussion on practices among kindergarten operators here focuses mainly on halal concepts and practices.
1.7 Limitation
There were some limitations faced by the researcher during conducting this research. The limitations were as follows:
1.7.1 Evidence
For starters, this particular analysis needs more empirical evidence to build stronger findings on the chief concerns encountered. Future analyses have to rank the discussed issues or even unearth additional and new problems.
1.7.2 The Group of Respondents
The respondents were among teachers in kindergarten and could result inaccurate. Thus, all data may be based on experience and current knowledge without further findings and study.
1.7.3 Time Constraint
This study only covers in Kubang Pasu, Kedah district. This was because a time constraint to implement a wider place to make research. While the total of respondents for this study was only five kindergarten teachers from five kindergarten branches at Kubang Pasu, Kedah district because not all kindergartens cooperate and support this study.
1.8 Organization of study
This research will be organized and divided into five chapters. In chapter one, this research will provide the background of the study, problem statement, research questions and research objectives, significance of the study, the scope of the study, limitations and the organization of the study.
However conceptual framework will be discussed in chapter two. Additionally, it also comprises a details review of previous literature which was related on this study. The review accessible in this chapter included the discussion of halal awareness but the scope of respondents it’s different and the factors that might the awareness of halal concepts such as religiosity, self-attitude, social influence, and knowledge.
Furthermore, in chapter three it explained the research methodology used in this study. This chapter provided an introduction to qualitative methods and their use in organization studies. The researcher chooses the qualitative method was in-depth interviews. Each method is particularly suited for obtaining a specific type of data.
Moreover, in chapter four, it elaborated on the finding of the study. This chapter is concerned with the problem of how to develop qualitative insights. It discussed the issues of this research, whereas the following sections will discuss more the methodological issues associated with the research.
Lastly, chapter five of this study summarized the finding of the research in line with the research objectives that will follow by the examination. This chapter also presents the implication of the study and provided recommendations on improvement for future research.