On 19-21 September  training courses for institutions providing Halal certification for European and African countries were held in Madrid. These courses were organized by the Department of the Islamic Development of Malaysia (JAKIM) and the Dagang Halal company with the support of the Spanish Instituto Halal.

Representatives of many institutions providing Halal certification for European and African countries and recognized by Malaysia participated in the event. The Russian Federation was represented by the International Centre for Halal Standardization and Certification under the Russian Muftis Council, represented by Aidar Gazizov, general director, and Samat Sadykov, deputy general director for international affairs.

Over three days the participants discussed the most important issues that usually arise during the halal certification process, such as analysis and control of ingredients, principles and requirements of Halal auditing, production monitoring and control, management system for halal certification etc. The trainees had an opportunity to visit one of the companies certified by Instituto Halal — Brand T Burger, which exports semi-finished beef products to Morocco.

The participants of the course familiarized themselves with a global platform for checking certificates — Halal Verified Engine, which is supposed to protect the consumers of halal goods from dishonest certifying organizations and faked products.

During the visit to Spain Aidar Gazizov had a meeting with Muhammad Hawari bin Hassan, member of the JAKIM directorate, Romas Jakubauskas, mufti of Lithuania, Amir Sakic, director of the Agency for Halal certification of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other players of the international halal industry.