Ali Malik and Irfan Rydhan have long been considered the go-to Halal food experts in California, so when they teamed up to create a food festival, it had to be big. The pair are now CEO and COO of the world’s largest Halal food festival — HalalFest.
The California Foodies
Rydhan, originally from San Jose, is an event planner, Halal foodie, and well-known food critic whose thousands of online restaurant reviews have helped many navigate California’s Halal food scene.
Meanwhile, Malik, also a California native, worked behind the curtain in the Bay Area Halal food scene for many years, co-owning and managing multiple restaurants. In his earlier years, he developed an interest in finance after his time as a corporate banker and later combined his finance expertise with his love of food.
A Shared Passion for Halal Food
Halal is a dietary law derived from Islamic teachings, meaning “lawful or permitted.” In order for food to be considered “Halal,” it must adhere to the Islamic diet outlined in the Quran.
In a discussion with The Mercury News, Rydhan stated, “Halal means ‘permissible’ in Arabic and refers to Islamic dietary restrictions, similar to Kosher foods for people of Jewish faith,” adding, “In order for meats to be considered ‘Halal,’ the name of god must be mentioned at the time of slaughtering.” Rydhan went on to say that many non-Islamic folks prefer the taste of halal meats as well.
Today, according to Malik, the concept also applies to more than food. Malik told The Bay Area Telegraph, “The term ‘Halal’ is no longer just about meat that meets the dietary requirements for Muslims, but has evolved into a dynamic and flourishing global industry which includes a wide range of products and services from health and beauty as well as halal financial investments with almost $3 trillion in global business and revenues.”
The World’s Largest Halal Food Festival
In 2013, Rydhan’s love of Halal food culminated in founding HalalFest. He quickly brought restaurant finance expert Malik on as CEO and Chairman. According to both creators, HalalFest is “a collaborative event organized by a group of American Muslims from various different backgrounds and ethnicities who have one thing in common: Their love of great food!”
While HalalFest began as a food festival in Fremont, California, it quickly grew into much more. In addition to the festival, Malik and Rydhan put on HalalFest events across the country, many of which have amassed crowds of over 10,000 people. The HalalFest team is also committed to hosting Muslim community nights, managing events, helping develop Muslim businesses, and voicing their support for Palestine.
When not working with HalalFest, Malik volunteers as a board member of several non-profit organizations, and you can hear Rydhan discuss Halal food on his culture and travel podcast, The Artistic Foodies.
