"Halal Goes to Campus' Launched at Unpad as the Ministry of Religious Affairs Intensifies Halal Education for Gen-Z

Padjadjaran University (Unpad) in Jatinangor hosted the launch of the Halal Goes to Campus programme, titled Ngobral (Ngobrolin Halal), at the Bale Sawala Auditorium on Tuesday 3 March 2026. The programme, organised by the Halal Product Assurance Directorate (JPH) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, aims to strengthen halal literacy among students and to foster collaboration between government and higher education.

Director General of Islamic Community Guidance, Abu Rokhmad, said that Indonesian society often assumes that all products on the market are halal because the majority of the population is Muslim. However, he argued, certainty about halal status requires a clear system and regulatory framework.

He cited Qur’an verse QS Al-Baqarah 168, which calls on all people to consume and use halal and thayib products. ‘The verse begins with ya ayyuhannas, which means it is addressed to all humanity. Halal is not only an exhortation for Muslims, but a universal principle of goodness and benefit,’ he explained in a written statement on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.

According to Abu Rokhmad, the concept of halal and thayib covers foods, beverages, medicines, cosmetics, and other products. Indonesia already has a legal basis through Law Number 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance, which regulates the certification system and halal labeling as guarantees for consumers.

He added that halal is now developing into a global lifestyle. Several Asian countries, such as China and South Korea, have halal centres, and many foreign companies are seeking halal certification in Indonesia.

‘We want to invite the younger generation to develop an understanding of halal. Many large Chinese companies are also seeking halal certification in Indonesia. This is an opportunity, especially for students, to develop capabilities and networking in the halal industry,’ he said.

Concluding his remarks, Abu Rokhmad urged universities to establish halal-industry study programmes that integrate various disciplines, such as chemistry, physics, and pharmacology. He noted that halal pharmaceutical research could become a national pride and stimulate the creation of halal pharmaceutical products.