For over 20 years, Habib Ghanim has been certifying halal beef liver for Egypt without any issues. Egypt, being the largest importer of beef liver in the world, relies heavily on this certification. The majority of the beef liver consumed in the country comes from the U.S., and Ghanim’s company, USA Halal Chamber of Commerce, played a crucial role in certifying American beef liver as halal before it was exported.
The term “halal” translates to “lawful” or “permitted” in Arabic. In the context of food, it refers to the process of how meat is prepared, processed, and stored in accordance with Islamic principles. While there isn’t a globally accepted definition for halal among certification bodies, halal food is typically certified by a Muslim or a Muslim religious figure, similar to the certification process for kosher food.
Halal certifiers can focus on specific industries or a range of industries such as meat, cosmetics, restaurants, or pharmaceuticals. These certifiers collect documentation, review ingredients, inspect facility sanitation to prevent cross-contamination, and ensure that every aspect, from registration to product creation, complies with Islamic law.
For meat certification, it involves ensuring that animals are treated, slaughtered, and processed according to Islamic principles, which include invoking the name of God and not killing an animal in the presence of others. Only after meeting these requirements can clients obtain a halal certification for their meat products.
However, in 2019, Ghanim’s business came to a sudden halt when he received a letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture stating that the Egyptian government had suspended his certification work. The government now allowed only one company, IS EG Halal, to certify halal meat for Cairo, causing several American Muslim halal certification companies to lose clients and Ghanim to lose thousands of dollars.
Efforts were made to reverse or at least explain the decision, but to no avail. It was later revealed that the head of IS EG Halal, a Christian man, and a powerful U.S. senator were working behind the scenes to ensure the company kept its monopoly. Wael Hana, the owner of IS EG Halal, along with Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, were charged with bribery in a federal court indictment.
The Menendezes, Hana, and two other businessmen have all pleaded not guilty to the charges. Hana’s spokesperson has asserted his innocence and highlighted his transparency and cooperation with the government’s investigation. The indictment alleges that the Menendezes accepted bribes from Hana in exchange for official favors. It is claimed that Bob Menendez intervened when the USDA contacted the Egyptian government, urging them to reconsider IS EG Halal’s monopoly rights.
Hana’s financial situation changed drastically after securing the deal from the Egyptian government. He allegedly used his halal company to pay nearly $23,000 to Nadine Menendez to assist with her mortgage, and the FBI later seized around $6,000 in cash during a raid on Hana’s home and office in 2019. In 2021, Hana allegedly purchased 22 gold bars worth approximately $40,000, which were subsequently found in the Menendez home.
Muslim American halal certifiers had been raising concerns about Hana since he entered the industry in 2019. They questioned his rapid success, his relationship with Menendez, and his sudden monopoly in Egypt. Hana claimed that the Egyptian government provided him with imams and veterinarians to train and educate him about halal certification and Islamic law.
In contrast to Hana’s limited experience, Ghanim has been certifying halal food, including beef, for Egyptians through his company’s ISWA Halal Certification Department for two decades. USA Halal Chamber of Commerce, based in Maryland, operates internationally, belongs to the World Halal Council, and is accredited by Muslim-majority countries.
Ghanim and other certifiers like Mahmoud, who wishes to remain anonymous due to fears of retribution, believe that their information was shared with Hana and IS EG Halal, leading to the unfair monopolization of the industry. Both Ghanim and Mahmoud expressed frustration and helplessness over this corrupt act that negatively impacted their small businesses and livelihoods.
The monopoly held by IS EG Halal not only gave them exclusive rights but also allowed them to significantly increase prices. The cost of shipping a 2,000-pound container increased from $10-$20 to $220 after their monopoly was established, affecting the Egyptian people negatively.
While Hana claims to have acted ethically and legally throughout his business ventures, Ghanim and Mahmoud question the legitimacy of his success and his ties to Menendez. The case is ongoing, and the defendants assert their innocence, while the impacted halal certifiers hope for justice and a fair return to the industry they have dedicated themselves to serving.
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