Entrepreneurs producing “halal” cosmetics say the global market is booming as more Muslims opt for beauty products that conform to Islamic rules. Famiza Zulkifli of Malaysia made her first halal soap four years ago, after searching in vain for the right products to bathe her baby. Now her business has an annual turnover of 1.6 million dollars. “Halal is an issue for Muslims. At the end of the day, everyone will die and God will ask you what you have done,” said the Malaysian singer-turned-entrepreneur. Famiza, who unusually for a Malaysian woman wears the black niqab that only reveals her eyes, now exports dozens of top-to-toe beauty products to Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand and Brunei.
“Even the small amount of collagen in our night cream is derived from halal sheep raised at a Muslim-run farm in Australia,” said Famiza, adding that she plans to expand her business from Southeast Asia to Europe next year.