The Shangrila Leisure Farm in Dongshan Township, Yilan County, received halal certification from the Chinese Muslim Association earlier this month, paving the way for the Taiwan Islamic Youth Camp now under way at the resort.
Shangrila was the only place of lodging certified as halal among a first group of 14 businesses designated as such in Taiwan, with all the others being restaurants. (source)
The farm has been working for three years with the assistance of the Tourism Bureau to qualify for the certification. Besides offering food and beverage services that conform with Muslim dietary rules, the resort farm also provides bathing facilities and prayer spaces needed by Muslims. Obtaining the certification will help the resort farm attract Muslim tourists to Taiwan.
At present, the Tourism Bureau has designated Malaysia and Indonesia as markets to develop for tourism to Taiwan. Both of these nations have large Muslim populations. According to Tourism Bureau statistics, Malaysia is home to about 17.55 million Muslims, while Indonesia has 200 million. Other Asian countries such as India, the Philippines and Singapore all have Muslim citizens constituting 14 percent to 16 percent of their total populations.
Ishag Ma, secretary general of the Chinese Muslim Association, explained that Muslims do not eat pork, while cows, goats, chickens and ducks must be slaughtered in accordance with Muslim practices, or they cannot be eaten. Consequently, if restaurants serving Muslims also serve non-Muslims, they must have separate kitchens, with separate facilities to store food, as well as different cooking and eating utensils, and even different spaces in which to eat. It is good to have a Muslim chef, too, Ma stated.
He added that while this first group of businesses in the food, beverage and leisure industry has received halal certification, there is a system for businesses to be kicked out if they do not maintain standards. Ma said the association will periodically send people on secret checks to these places and if they find that the operator is not conforming to Muslim practices, the certification will be withdrawn.
It is hoped the system will pave the way for an environment in which Muslims tourists from Taiwan and from all over the world can have an enjoyable stay here knowing that Muslim guidelines are being adhered to, he said.
Shangrila has also made adjustments to some of its rooms, with indications made on the ceilings of rooms pointing to the direction of Mecca. The steps taken by the resort have helped make the young people taking part in the Taiwan Muslim Youth Camp feel more at home.
No comments:
Post a Comment