The second day of the annual London Halal Forum began with a traditional Palestinian breakfast celebrating the region’s cuisine, culture and heritage. The gathering brought together entrepreneurs, investors and industry representatives at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London.
Organized by Halal360 in collaboration with the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) and the Halal Products Development Company (HPDC), the event features Anadolu as its global communications partner.
Participants were served traditional Palestinian dishes, including hummus, zaatar, labneh and falafel.
Bilal Erdogan Calls for Continued Support for Palestine
Speaking at the event, Bilal Erdogan, deputy chairman of Ibn Haldun University’s Board of Trustees, said the gathering was significant because it brought together people concerned about Palestine and the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.
Referring to a large pro-Palestinian demonstration held in Istanbul on January 1, 2026, Erdogan said another rally was planned for October 1 next year to reaffirm solidarity with Palestinians.
He emphasized that the suffering of Palestinians had continued for decades, particularly throughout the past three years, and urged the international community to remain attentive to their situation.
Erdogan said the humanitarian crisis in Gaza persisted despite the reported ceasefire, with continued attacks and casualties. He also warned that conditions in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem were deteriorating.
He called for better coordination of available resources to achieve meaningful results for Palestinians. Referring to recent trade restrictions imposed by some Western countries on illegal Israeli settlements, he described the measures as an initial step and expressed hope that restrictions could eventually cover a wider range of Israeli products.
Erdogan also highlighted the importance of strengthening Palestinian businesses by supporting local producers, investors and emerging startups. He argued that economic cooperation should begin with food production before expanding into technology, medicine and other higher-value industries.
He reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to supporting Palestine, describing the issue as one that transcended political divisions. Addressing reports that he was among Turkish officials barred from entering Israel, Erdogan expressed hope that he would visit Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem in the near future.
Palestinian Ambassador Highlights Economic Challenges
Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot also addressed the gathering, stating that Gaza continued to face severe humanitarian suffering while the West Bank experienced ongoing displacement and violence.
He highlighted attacks by Israeli settlers targeting Palestinian olive harvests and accused Israel of waging an economic campaign against Palestinians that had persisted for decades.
Other speakers included Nurul Izzah Anwar, executive chairperson of the Suluh Center, and Yousef Khalawi, secretary-general of the ICCD. Türkiye’s Ambassador to London, Osman Koray Ertas, also attended the event.
The programme included a video presentation about the Palestinian Museum, which documents and promotes Palestinian history, culture and society.
Forum Focuses on Expanding the Global Halal Economy
Held under the theme Halal Tayyib for Humanity, the forum explores opportunities to expand the halal economy beyond food products and certification. Discussions also cover investment, tourism, technology, supply chains, branding and international trade.
The inaugural forum took place at Excel London in November 2025, attracting more than 1,500 participants through in-person and virtual attendance. The event highlighted London’s growing importance as an international centre for the expanding halal economy.
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