CHICAGO, Illinois (May 19, 2011) — The Chicago-based Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA®) will be speaking at the Chicago Muslim Interscholastic Tournament (MIST )™ on May 22nd, 2011. This year’s tournament theme is Loyalty: The Key to Faith and Citizenship and will take place at the Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois.

MIST™ is a unique program designed for today’s American youth. It is famous for being a fun, educational, interactive program of competitions and workshops geared towards bringing high school students together from around the nation. The goals are to develop leadership, communication, and other creative skills, all while gaining a deeper understanding of Islam and Muslims. The MIST-Chicago chapter will be holding its tournament from May 21st and May 22nd, 2011.

IFANCA® will relate its own story to illustrate the tournament’s theme of loyalty and citizenship during the awards ceremony on May 22nd, 2011. “IFANCA® was essentially formed when concerned American-Muslim food technologists recognized the lack of halal food options for American-Muslims,” says Dr. Farhat Quadri, director of community relations of IFANCA®. He says, “Today, after 29 years of helping the food industry with technical solutions, there is a halal-certified version of every ingredient, flavor, and food product in the global food industry.”

IFANCA® is also leading an educational workshop called Eating Halal like an American-Muslim. The workshop is an overview of available tools and resources that students can use to ask for halal food options at their school or college cafeterias. The workshop will take place on May 21st, 2011, from 5:15PM to 5:45PM. The workshop will also teach students and parents how processed foods are made and how the food industry works, as well as tips on how to eat more nutritiously.

 

IFANCA®

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA®) is one of the world’s leading and well-respected not-for-profit halal certification organizations. Featured in various media such as the Wall Street Journal, Prepared Foods, CNBC, and CNN, IFANCA® has been promoting halal since 1982. IFANCA® was recognized in the “Best Halal Related Service Provider Award” by the Halal Journal at World Halal Forum 2007. IFANCA® certified halal products are recognized by Indonesia (MUI), Malaysia (JAKIM), Singapore (MUIS), and the United Arab Emirates (GSM) and are sold in nearly every country of the world. IFANCA’s halal certification expertise covers all food industry categories. For more information about IFANCA, visit www.ifanca.org.