Traditional Palestinian cuisine was served to participants at the Halal Forum breakfast held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London. Hummus, za’atar, labneh and falafel were offered at the program that opened the forum’s second day.
Entrepreneurs, investors and industry representatives are taking part in the forum, organized by Halal360 as a joint initiative of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) and the Halal Products Development Company (HPDC).
Bilal Erdoğan calls for support for Palestine’s economy
Bilal Erdoğan, deputy chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ibn Haldun University, said it was meaningful to be at the same forum as guests who show sensitivity toward Palestine. He said humanity’s conscience had been severely eroded over the past three years.
Recalling the pro-Palestinian mass demonstration held in Istanbul on January 1, 2026, Bilal Erdoğan announced that another demonstration would be held on October 1 next year to commemorate Palestine. He said they would tell the world about what is happening in Palestine and continue to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Bilal Erdoğan argued that the humanitarian situation in Gaza was continuing despite the process described as a ceasefire, and claimed that attacks and loss of life were occurring every day in the West Bank as well.
Bilal Erdoğan said the situation was worsening in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, and noted that existing resources needed to be managed strategically. Commenting on the latest sanctions imposed by some Western countries targeting trade with illegal Israeli settlements, Erdoğan said he hoped these steps would become more comprehensive.
Bilal Erdoğan said Palestinian producers, investors and ventures emerging from the region needed to be strengthened, adding that this support should begin with food and extend to technology, medicine and other high-value sectors. Erdoğan said Türkiye would continue doing everything it could in this regard and stated that the issue of Palestine transcended political borders.
Message on Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem
Addressing reports that he was among senior Turkish officials banned from entering Israel and therefore unable to travel there, Bilal Erdoğan said he hoped to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque in the near future. He expressed his wish for meetings to be held in Jerusalem in peace and harmony.
Zomlot assesses the situation in Palestine
Husam Zomlot, Palestine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, also spoke at the forum. Zomlot argued that the situation in Gaza and the forced displacement in the West Bank were continuing, and drew attention to attacks by Israeli settlers targeting Palestinians’ olive harvest.
Zomlot said Israel was waging an economic war against the Palestinian people, adding that the situation had continued for decades.
Nurul Izzah Anwar, chair of the Suluh Center’s Executive Board, and Yousef Khalawi, secretary-general of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development, were among the other speakers at the program. Türkiye’s Ambassador to London, Osman Koray Ertaş, also attended the event.
The program also featured a video about the Palestine Museum, which aims to present and contribute to narratives about Palestine’s history, culture and society.
Halal economy expands beyond food
The forum, held under the theme “Halal Tayyib for Humanity,” addresses the expansion of the halal economy beyond certification and food products. Investment, tourism, technology, supply chains, branding and international trade are also on the forum’s agenda.
The forum’s first meeting was held at Excel London in November 2025, bringing together more than 1,500 people through in-person and online participation. The first meeting focused on London’s goal of emerging as an important hub in the growing global halal economy.
