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Since before Ramadan, advertisements for halal-certified food have been increasing on French television. It is said that during Ramadan, Muslims stop eating during the day and eat more after breaking their fast in the evening. They entertain each other and pay attention to the quality and refinement of their food. Wherever there are Muslims, the purchasing power of halal food has clearly increased.

Abbas Bendala, manager of the Paris-based company Solis, told The Times on Wednesday (September 2nd): "Ramadan is the peak of business for our halal food company. No one wants to miss out, so competition is fierce." He reported that Lyon-based company Zakiya Halal Foods spent $430,000 on advertising on France's largest television network this year. Their ads are simple, typically featuring a Muslim couple, perhaps with their children, browsing a supermarket and picking up the latest trendy French halal food from the shelves, a picture of a happy family. The most common halal foods and microwaveable meals featured in the ads include lasagna, tortellini, paella, bourguignonne beef, and shepherd's pie, all bearing the standard halal logo.

The halal food advertising campaign officially kicked off a week before Ramadan. Starting on August 17th, numerous halal food companies simultaneously launched advertisements, each releasing newly designed Ramadan products. Bendala said, "Zakiya Company has recognized market trends. Their products, primarily fast-food products, are being introduced, using modern, high-tech preparations and halal products to adapt to the fast pace of modern life. Most Muslims are busy with work, leaving women with little time to cook."

According to a recent survey by the French polling organization Ifup, 70% of France's at least seven million Muslims fast during Ramadan. With the exception of those exempted from fasting according to Islamic principles, such as the sick, travelers, and children, nearly all Muslims fast. This is a striking new finding, as no other religion in the world today boasts such a high percentage of faithful adherents.

Bendala said the popularity and frequency of advertising reflects the scale and output of the halal industry, as well as the culinary preferences of French Muslims. Most halal food advertisements dominate prime television time, reflecting the high advertising costs and substantial revenue potential of the products. The fact that many French Muslims have adapted European tastes and transformed traditional European foods into "halal" demonstrates the flexibility of halal dietary principles, adapting to the customs of any ethnic group worldwide.

According to market research by Solis, Muslims spend approximately $570 million on food each year during Ramadan, a high standard of living even in Western countries. The majority of French Muslims are of North African descent. After settling in France, they have children, and as they enter their second and third generations, their lifestyles undergo significant changes, often adopting French-style habits, while still maintaining their Islamic faith. Halal food laws adhere to strict dietary regulations, with no room for negotiation regarding prohibited foods. For example, the use of cooking wine in any food preparation is prohibited.

Large-scale halal food production began about a decade ago, while the entry of industrially produced foods into supermarkets is a relatively recent phenomenon. However, this rapid growth has led to fierce competition among manufacturers, with new products emerging at a rapid pace, and sales growing at a staggering 15% annually. In France, many traditional halal food companies have seen annual increases in production and expansion, creating halal "brand names." However, many major national supermarket chains are vying for market share, adding dedicated counters for their own halal products, offering affordable and high-quality products, to compete.

Bendala said, "In the media, negative news about Muslims is constantly reported, but halal food advertisements demonstrate the growing influence of Muslims. A thriving market reflects social needs, and advertising is a manifestation of reality, subject to the laws of economic leverage, and beyond anyone's control." Both the French government and the public have a negative impression of Muslims. The government has implemented various restrictive policies and discriminatory measures against Muslims, and women's clothing is subject to legal restrictions. However, food is the primary need of the people, and people need to eat. The food advertised has no political agenda. Judging from the advertisements, many popular French foods now have "halal" brands, demonstrating that French Muslims have integrated into society and adapted to local customs. This is an undeniable sign of progress, but Muslims insist on halal.