The First ever Halal Expo Philippines

14,000 kilometers, 5 years, and a dream realized: The first Halal Expo in the Philippines

It took me five years and a journey of over 14,000 kilometers to witness something I had long envisioned, the very first Halal Expo Philippines.

For me, the Halal Economy is more than an industry; it’s a purpose. Even before directly engaging in it, we made it a priority to ensure our company operated in compliance with Sharia principles.

After contributing to inaugural Halal Expos in Canada, London, and Saudi Arabia, being part of the first-ever Halal Expo in the Philippines carried profound significance.

Manila is 14,000 kilometers from Dakar, a journey that takes roughly 24 hours to complete. But the miles and hours were worth it. In the Philippines, I met extraordinary individuals driven to grow their businesses with vision and purpose.

Among them were Nasser Deeb, CEM Deeb and his partner, Grace Aguilar, who had believed in this project for over five years. Witnessing this event come to life felt like a culmination of their unwavering dedication, which they first shared with me at the Halal Expo in Toronto back in 2019.

Seeing new Halal expos take root and flourish is more than just professional satisfaction, it’s a testament to the commitment of my team, who for seven years have worked tirelessly to elevate the Halal Economy.

Visiting the Philippines held special significance as it allowed me to meet Aeshah Javier, our Marketing Manager, in person for the first time. Aeshah joined Wasabih a year ago, inspired by her exceptional contributions to our community. It was an honor to finally meet her and her supportive husband, who graciously assisted with our onsite activities.

Meeting Aeshah felt like the perfect embodiment of Wasabih’s mission: connecting professionals to foster growth in the Halal Economy.

To some, this might seem like just another trade show. To us, it’s a monumental step forward, a milestone in advancing an economy that resonates with the culture and values of over two billion people worldwide.

It’s about the person who seeks to eat wholesome food that aligns with their values.
It’s about the job-seeker who wants a workplace that respects their beliefs.
It’s about the entrepreneur searching for partners who share a common vision for the future.
It’s about the parent striving to shield their children from media content misaligned with the values they hold dear.

Ultimately, it’s about fulfilling our mission on this earth: ensuring that every action we take aligns with the deeper principles we believe in.

The journey hasn’t been easy. There have been highs and lows, disappointments, mistakes, and moments of doubt. Yet, we cherish every step and every blessing granted to us by God.

To witness an event like this, to meet people driven by a shared purpose, even 14,000 kilometers away from home, fills me with profound gratitude.