The Azerbaijan Halal Business Forum which will be held in Baku on October 7 and 8, will feature the presentation of the Andalusi Medina Network as one of the reference projects of Andalusian culture and Muslim-friendly tourism. The Azhab Forum reaches its second edition this year, which will focus on The halal industry as a source of resilience in a rapidly changing world. The international event was born in 2024 with the aim of fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, showcasing products and services, and promoting ethical and sustainable practices in the growing halal industry.

Just one year ago, the Forum brought together some one hundred international participants from all five continents. “The halal industry could offer a resilient business model by leveraging global demand, digital transformation, local production and strong certification systems,” the organization notes on its website.

The Medinas Network will be presented by its manager, Bárbara Ruiz-Bejarano, as part of panel number 5, which will analyze various initiatives on historical heritage and cultural legacy. “Historical heritage is the cornerstone of tourism development. halal worldwide,” states the Forum’s presentation document. “By preserving and promoting it,” the text states, “destinations not only attract Muslim travelers but also help create a respectful and culturally enriching tourism model based on Islamic values.”

The fifth session will take place on Wednesday, October 8 at 1:15 p.m. and will address The Role of Historical Heritage in the Development of Halal Tourism in the Caucasus and Central Asia. The panel will be moderated by the head of the Turkic World Research Center, Vusala Jarafova, while the keynote address will be given by Kubanychbek Omuraliev, secretary general of the Organization of Turkic States.

Barbara Ruiz-Bejarano will be speaking at this fifth session along with five other speakers, including Soumaya T. Hamdi, founder of the Halal Travel Guide; Rizvan Huseynov, director of the Caucasus History Center; and Tatyana Krupa, head of the UMAI International Laboratory at Pavlodar Pedagogical University (Ukraine).

“Halal tourism could play a key role in the preservation of Islamic historical heritage,” the organization notes on its official website. “This panel is expected to facilitate discussions on how to mobilize all this regional cultural legacy to develop tourism,” the official document adds.

The director of the Medina Network will also moderate the panel on The role of women in the promotion of the halal industry. “Women can play a transformative role in the development of the halal industry by providing leadership and creativity,” argues the introduction to table number 4 of the Forum.

The halal industry halal industry industry not only sets food standards, but also defines ethical financial practices and responsible lifestyles, as well as contributing to economic stability, global cooperation and community resilience in a changing world.