January-February . 2021 | @ Halal

05

WORLDWIDE BIZ ... GISB Holdings has expanded its business to 17 different countries .

BY CAMILIA REZALI

of business operation , Global Ikhwan Service and Business ( GISB ) Holdings Sdn Bhd , or GISB Holdings , has widely expanded its Syariah-compliant products and services to 17 countries , owning

412 business premises . The sole-proprietor business started in

2000 but turned into a company in 2013 .

Now , GISB Holdings has grown and offers products and services in seven different sectors and 42 departments . The sectors :

• Human Development ,

• Education ,

• Business , Services

• Media ,

• Agricultural and Farming , & Administration , and

• Public Relations . @ Halal spoke with the Chief Executive

Officer of GISB Holdings Sdn Bh , Dato ’ Lokman Hakim Pfordten , to further understand its business ’ s more profound concept .

“ The main pillars of GISB Holdings include feelings of brotherhood , faith and cooperation in each individual . With these three basic strengths , GISB Holdings develops and exemplifies the religion to further act as a model to society ,” said Lokman .

Ustaz Ashaari Muhammad founded GISB Holdings to develop the Islamic way of life in education , arts , culture , animal farming , etc .

“ Our operation is about serving society . As mentioned in the hadith of Rasulullah SAW , the best of humankind are those who give the most benefit to others ,” said Lokman .

Everything ’ s Syariah-compliant

GISB Holdings offers diverse Syariahcompliant business and services , from Islamic cultural arts , halal eateries and catering , halal food products , Muslim apparels , to running its product manufacturing plant .

These business and services are under GISB Holdings ’ very own brand , Ikhwan . Ikhwan products are pure , clean and certified halal .

Now , GISB Holdings has dozens of halal products to promote to society .

Lokman shared : “ We have our bread and buns , noodles , rice strips and vermicelli , variety of beverages , juices , and carbonated drinks , frozen food products , sauce and ketchup , health products , chocolate bars , and even flour . We now have over 500 Ikhwan products .

“ We are also involved in manufacturing , retail , and many others . We even have Ikhwan TV that features television programmes as a source of spiritual inspiration and the ideal selection for entertainment .”

When the Covid-19 pandemic struck , some sectors like travel and tourism were suspended .

However , there wasn ’ t any retrenchment of its staff . Instead , they were moved to active sectors , such as manufacturing . Manufacturing plants were added to fulfil the rising product demand .

Lokman

“ During the Movement Control Order ( MCO ), we converted a section of our café into a civil defence office for Covid-19 . But the kitchen remained open for delivery orders .

“ Outside Malaysia , our operations were going slow , and some were temporarily closed . But now , our businesses in London , Paris , Germany , and Istanbul are all gradually getting back on track . Our customers presently are locals ,” he added .

Beyond halal products and services

GISB Holdings also organises expos regularly and partakes in international exhibitions .

It is also exploring business opportunities globally . In 2018 and 2019 , it was involved in the Balkans Expedition , Uzbekistan Expedition , Japan Expedition , Europe-Morocco Expedition and Khurasan Expedition .

In September 2018 , GISB Holdings took part in the Sarajevo Halal Fair . The event was an effort to introduce the Muslim way of life . GISB Holdings was the silver sponsor of the Fair .

“ In February 2019 , we held the GISB International Islamic Business Forum 2019 at Marriot Hotel , Putrajaya to introduce the Islamic way of life in GISB . There were participants from 16 countries .

“ GISB also has its own Corporate Social Responsibility ( CSR ) committee , called ‘ Remaja Pembela Ummah ’ - the youth defenders of the Ummah . It is a lineup of GISB Holdings youths who are being groomed to become successors ,” added Lokman .

The committee provides facilities like RPU Ambulance , RPU Tow Truck , RPU Motorhome to give humanitarian aid to those in need .

On a larger scale , the company has brought its agriculture and animal farming activities to other foreign countries such as Indonesia , Australia , Saudi Arabia , Jordan , Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina .

“ We are also into equestrian , a Muslim practice or sport which is part of the Sunnah of the prophet . Ikhwan equestrian has 104 horses and 19 stables across Malaysia , Indonesia , Thailand , Saudi Arabia , Jordan , Egypt and Australia .”