Protecting Muslim Rights: MUI Challenges Indonesia’s US Halal Exemption

Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) Fatwa Commission Chairman Prof. KH Asrorun Ni’am Sholeh has spoken out about reports of a new trade agreement between Indonesia and the United States, which reportedly exempts some US products from mandatory halal certification. He called on Indonesians to boycott any goods lacking clear halal status.

“Avoid food products that aren’t halal or whose halal status is unclear, including US imports that don’t comply with halal rules,” said the scholar, widely known as Prof. Ni’am, in a statement on the MUI website Saturday (Feb. 21, 2026).

Prof. Ni’am stressed that Indonesia’s legal requirement for halal certification on all imported, circulating, or sold products cannot be bargained away—not even with the US government.

“Our laws mandate halal guarantees for products. Every item entering, circulating, or sold in Indonesia must carry halal certification,” said the caregiver at Pondok Pesantren An-Nahdlah in Depok, West Java.

The Professor of Fiqh at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta argued that these halal rules protect basic human rights, particularly freedom of religion, as enshrined in the constitution. In Islamic trade principles (muamalah), he added, the focus isn’t on trading partners but on adhering to the rules.

He emphasized that Indonesia should pursue trade with any nation, including the US, as long as it’s respectful, mutually beneficial, and free from political pressure.

“In this context, with Indonesia’s Muslim majority bound by halal consumption rules, Law No. 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance requires all entering or circulating products to have halal certification,” he asserted.

The Chairman of the Center for Fatwa and Islamic Law Studies (PUSFAHIM) at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta explained that this regulation safeguards public consumption and upholds human rights. Ni’am recounted his visits to various US states to foster halal cooperation with American halal bodies.

During those trips, he observed that halal certification systems are already recognized in the US.

“If America talks human rights, halal certification is a key way to respect the fundamental right to religious freedom,” he said.

Prof. Ni’am underscored that halal consumption is a religious obligation, and halal labeling is non-negotiable.

“It can’t be traded off, especially not for price. Even if something’s cheap or free but not halal, Muslims can’t consume it,” he stated.

Still, the General Chairman of the Majelis Alumni Ikatan Pelajar Nahdlatul Ulama proposed compromises on technical matters, such as streamlining paperwork, improving reporting transparency, and cutting costs and processing times. Substantive halal standards, however, must remain ironclad.

“Administrative aspects can be simplified. But we can’t sacrifice core principles for short-term financial gains, stripping away Indonesians’ basic rights,” he warned.

Under the deal, Indonesia won’t impose halal labeling or certification on non-halal products sold domestically. This forms part of the government’s latest commitments on trade and product standards.

The provision is outlined in the reciprocal tariff agreement, or Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), between Indonesia and the US. It states: “To facilitate US exports of cosmetics, medical devices, and other manufactured goods that may currently require halal certification, Indonesia will exempt US products from halal certification and labeling requirements.”

Indonesia will not enforce labeling or certification for non-halal products. It will also allow any US halal certification body recognized by Indonesian halal authorities to certify products as halal for import without extra requirements or restrictions.

Indonesia commits to streamlining recognition of US halal certifiers by its halal authority and expediting approvals. It will further exempt containers and materials used to ship manufactured goods from halal certification and labeling—except those carrying food, drinks, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals.

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