Halal in My Cocoa, Kazakhstan Edition

I recently went grocery shopping and stumbled upon marshmallows. Not just any marshmallows, but packets with a distinctly stamped halal logo on the back. For any Muslim who is a fan of this sweet, gooey goodness, you’ll know that marshmallows are considered high-risk items. The ingredients often contain gelatin derived from non-halal sources, which makes most versions a proceed with caution situation.

Finding halal marshmallows might seem like a minor issue to many. But in the brutal winter of Astana, where temperatures can drop as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius, small comforts matter. A cup of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows is not just dessert, it feels like survival. And for a Malaysian who grew up in a country where halal certification is visible, regulated, and almost taken for granted, finding that halal stamp on a product in a country where Islam is practiced more subtly felt rather symbolic, and even a little victorious.

Kazakhstan and the Politics of the Permissible

Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country in the world. It gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and today has a population of about 20 million people. It is considered a Muslim-majority country, with roughly 60% of the population identifying as Muslim, according to the Pew Research Center. And yet, halal here does not function the way it does in Malaysia. It is present, but not always institutionalized in the same way. Religion in Kazakhstan still carries the residue of its Soviet past.

The Hazrat Sultan Mosque in Astana, Kazakhstan © IMAGO / SNA / Kristina Kormilitsyna

While sipping on my cocoa, my thoughts moved beyond marshmallows and what they might do to my blood glucose levels. I began to ponder a bigger question: what does halal mean in a country where Islam is present, but often practiced quietly? Who decides what is permissible?

Halal Without a Halal Culture

In Malaysia, halal certification is governed by a centralized authority (JAKIM) and is integrated into law, trade, and public expectations. Logos and enforcement are everywhere. Halal is highly visible. Life in Astana, however, is a little different. One must be a bit more street-savvy. While pork is widely understood to be haram, alcohol consumption tends to depend on personal practice, and day-to-day food choices are often based on what one presumes to be acceptable, such as beef or chicken, etc. Certification logos are available, but they are not as common or as in-demand as they are in the Malaysian context.

Halal in the post-Soviet space, such as Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries, represents a subtle shift

This distinction is influenced by history. Scholars such as Adeeb Khalid have explained how, during the Soviet era, religion was not only highly discouraged but also suppressed because it was seen as backward and as a threat to a secular, socialist society. The Soviet era was a time when mosques were closed, religious leaders were imprisoned, and religious practices were banned. It is not surprising that the religious identity of Central Asian Muslims was weakened as a result of those efforts.

Fast forward to post-Soviet 2026: Islam in Kazakhstan has not only survived but, in some ways, is thriving. The largest mosque in Central Asia now stands in Astana, a prominent sign of Islam in the region. Among the younger demographics, I see modest fashion on Instagram and halal eating becoming more common. Upon further investigation, I also learned that the halal brand and formula adopted by Kazakhstan is actually based on the Malaysian standard MS1500, introduced in 2004, which is internationally recognized and acknowledged by the International Islamic Fiqh Academy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Given the international collaborative efforts dating back a few decades, it is not surprising that Kazakhstan’s success in managing halal certification has become a benchmark for other Central Asian countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The halal market has been growing significantly throughout years, and it is estimated to reach USD 3.36 trillion by 2028. Halal is not just sought after by Muslims but also by non-Muslims, as it is linked to cleanliness, ethical practices, and quality standards. For the industry—globally and locally—halal is no longer only about religion; it has become a business matter. What many assume is simply about food and slaughter is actually much broader. The halal industry includes not only the food market, but also Islamic finance, tourism, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. With increasing awareness of what is considered halal and tayyib (pure and wholesome), this industry will continue to evolve.

And this is why my marshmallows sparked bigger questions.

It’s More than Just Marshmallows

Halal in the post-Soviet space, such as Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries, represents a subtle shift. It serves as a reminder that Islam is no longer pushed into the background, but is finding new ways to adapt to a population that is growing and evolving in its religious identity. Halal in Kazakhstan also shows how faith is negotiated and adapted within a culture long known for its secularism.

© Shahreen Mat Nayan

As I sip on another cup of cocoa—mixed with coffee this time, I am reminded that faith does not always appear loud and bold. In a country where faith is slowly making a comeback, it may take on many forms, even quietly, on a small packet of marshmallows.