Development of the brand followed Rashid’s own struggle to find a high-quality halal pet food for his cats, after realising he was prohibited from buying or bringing into his home non-Halal products – even if they were not meant for his consumption.
After failing to find a UK manufacturing partner that could guarantee halal ingredients would not be cross contaminated with their non-Halal counterparts, Rashid travelled to Malaysia – a country whose most professed religion is Islam – to find a partner that could.
‘Inspired to take action’
“After facing the frustration of finding quality halal cat food for my own beloved cats, I was inspired to take action,” he said.
“This endeavour is not just about filling a gap in the market; it is fuelled by a passion to provide a solution, rooted in authenticity, ethics, and quality. Hurayra is more than a brand; it's a commitment to integrity and care for our pets and their well-being.”
Available in four flavours – Chicken, Tuna, Ocean Fish and Chicken and Fish for Kittens – Hurayra has been certified by the halal Monitoring Committee and is the first 100% certified halal cat food in the UK.
Holy inspiration
Named for Abu Hurayrah, companion of the prophet Muhammad in the Islamic holy text the Quaran, Hurayra boasts its products are high in protein, contain no GMOs and are preservative-free.
Meanwhile, Meatly has created the ‘world’s first’ cans of pet food that uses cultivated chicken as a protein source, ready for rollout to stores across the UK pending regulatory approval.
Formerly known as the Good Dog Food Company, Meatly has worked with the Food Standards Agency and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to obtain approval for its cultivate chicken pet food to become available in the UK.
What is halal?
Halal (also spelled halaal) is an Arabic word that means ‘lawful or permitted’. It is a term that is used in the Islamic religion in contrast with the word haram (which means ‘unlawful or not allowed’).
These terms indicate which life practices are allowed or not allowed for those who practice Islam (Muslims). While halal refers to much more than just Islamic dietary practices, the term is most often thought of when talking about food, drinks, and other products.
Source: The American Halal Foundation