Muslims generally use the term "Halal" to designate food items that they are allowed to eat under the Islamic law (like fish). The opposite of "halal" is ‘haraam’, another Arabic term which is used for food products that Muslims are forbidden from eating (like pork).
This page describes in detail how stuff is classified as Halal or Haram according to Islam. And its not just about food, the term Halal can refer to any action that is permitted under the Quran while prohibited actions are known as "Haram".
A Search Engine for Muslims (and your Kids)
Extending the Halal and Haram concept to the Internet, Ramadan Kareem has created a search engine called I am Halal that might just prevent you (Muslims and Non-Muslims alike) from "accidentally" bumping into any explicit (or "Haram") content on the Internet.
Unlike Safe Search in Google which simply removes all adult sites from search results, I-Am-Halal, which uses search results from Yahoo, employs a double-layered filter.
When you type a search query (e.g. sex) that can potentially retrieve "haram" search results, the search engine would require you to confirm whether you really want to see those search results. When you say yes, it will fetch the relevant pages but will still filter out content that is not deemed as family-safe.
The search results page will also contain thumbnail images of web pages alongside the site links and description. And in addition to websites, you may also use IAmHalal.com to search for images and news stories on the web.
I am actually quite impressed with "I Am Halal" and, other than the religious side of things, this is something good for your kids as well. For instance, if they type a query that is bound to return explicit results, the search engine would simply refuse to work for that query.
Hat tip Jessie Paul.
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/internet/safe-internet-search/10604/
Tags: feature, safebrowing, search engine, Internet
Reader Comments
Hi,
I’m Muslim and i’m pleased that you mentioned haram and halal terms so clearly.
Altough it’s a good idea, it doesn’t work properly. You know crack of a game is also illegal and haram but it’s not filtered. Examples can be enlarged.
They must work on.
Written by MaFiAMaX on 10.14.09
The idea has potential but is flawed intrinsically.
try searching for naturamax. this is a strict no-no for kids and yet it yields results on the search engine.
Written by shashi kanth on 10.14.09
Well the ‘I am Halal’ is not a search engine. It is just a premium search engine script that I have tested in 2007. When searching the script today it wasn’t available over the internet. May God knows why ? Anyhow when the children will click on the “If you still think the result will be clean click me” it will display explicit contents and images.
Just try the Bikini keyword and click on the “if you still think the result will be clean click me” to see some new surprises.
Written by Rajput on 10.14.09
Hi Amit,
The site mentioned is good but not always effective. Try Sunny Leone, for instance.
Written by Pritam on 10.14.09
Truly a welcome note for safe browsing especially for Kids..
Written by Fasil on 10.15.09
So halal food is also meat, which come from animals who where ritually slaughtered. This involves cutting the animals’ throat with a very sharp knife and letting them bleed dry, without anesthesia. Quite cruel and against the law in some countries. Sorry guys, I cannot understand why you are advertising this kind of stuff, which is obviously against humanity.
Written by Freedom on 10.18.09