Russian Conservatives See Halal Certification as ‘Threat’ to the State, But Moscow Officials Say It Helps Boost Russian Exports to Islamic Countries

Paul Goble

            Staunton, Feb. 2 – Conservatives in the Duma, the Moscow Patriarchate and in Russian society at large say that the practice of certifying foodstuffs and other goods as “halal” and thus cleared for use by Muslims represents “a threat” to Russian national security and to Russian identity more generally.

            In the latest issue of NG-Religii, Andrey Melnikov, the editor of that publication, surveys the statements of several of these nationalists in this latest expression of anger by some members of one group to practices of another; but he says that they are unlikely to get their way, however much noise they make (ng.ru/ng_religii/2026-02-02/9_611_halal.html).

            The reason is simple: Russian officials say that halal certification helps Russia to export foodstuffs and other goods to Muslim countries, something that the powers that be do not want to give up. Consequently, halal products are almost certain to continue to appear on the shelves of Russian stores.