South African Lawsuit Challenges Halal Certification Organization

Today's Johannesburg Times reports on a lawsuit that has been filed in South Africa in the High Court in Johannesburg by the Muslim organization "Scholars of Truth." The group seeks to stop the South African National Halal Association (Sanha) from continuing to act as a certifier of Halal chickens. Scholars of Truth, which criticizes Sanha for being a commercial, profit-making business, says that allegations of dishonesty and fraud have been made against Sanha. Sanha has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit, saying that it should be left to the conscience of individual Muslims whether or not they wish to rely on Sanha's certification. Sanha also argues that plaintiffs lack standing to bring their challenge. Sanha's website says that Sanha is a non-profit organization whose fees merely cover costs. However Islamic scholar Mufti Afzal Hoosen Elias argues that no fees at all should be charged for Halal certification.