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@Halal | april-may. 2019
Tourism
tourism
Malaysia’s Muslim-friendly
The high potential of Islamic attractions in Malaysia
T
By Maria Azman
ravel and tourism is one of the
world’s largest economic sector.
The sector promotes exports,
produces jobs, and generates
prosperity across the world.
In this era, people from differ-
ent backgrounds, languages and beliefs are
travelling from one place to another to gain
understanding on different cultures. They
look forward to learn new things without
compromising their origin.
As the number of the Muslim population
continues to grow, so does the tourism activi-
ties of the Muslim tourists. To accommodate
this growing industry, Muslim-Friendly
programmes more suited to the Islamic
principle has been developing as well. The
creation of such programmes have made even
non-Muslim countries embarking on various
Muslim-centric strategies to gain visitors and
recognition.
Malaysia as a Muslim-friendly
tourism destination
During an interview with Tuan Haji Mohd
Ajib bin Ismail, director of Jabatan Agama
Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (JAWI), he shared
his views on Malaysia’s Muslim-Friendly
tourism. “We should foster Malaysia to
become one of the best and beautiful Muslim-
friendly tourism destination, in parallel with
how God is beautiful and He loves beautiful
things.”
To cater to the incoming Muslim tour-
ists to Malaysia, he suggests promoting
the beauty of Malaysia in terms of its delicious
local cuisines and its multi-cultural nature.
“In the basis of food, we are uniquely
varied. Our local delicacies originated from
different cultures, even from non-Muslim
cultures – and it can become a unique sell-
ing point for Muslim tourist with a longing
to taste different ethnic foods that are also
halal.”
Additionally, Mohd Ajib also explains on
the activities related to Muslim culture such
as the Silat and archery. “Sunnah archery
gives people the chance to experience how
the art of archery was during medieval times
by wearing the patriot attire while galloping
on horses.”
Islamic Tourism Centre
In order to ensure the sustainability of a
Malaysian Muslim-friendly tourism, guide-
lines for hospitality services and strategic
policies have to be expanded and the right
conditions to move the industry forward has
to be created. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts
and Culture (MOTAC) is being assisted by
Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) in undertak-
ing strategic tourism research and market
intelligence as well as providing training
and capacity building services in relation to
Islamic tourism.
Tuan Haji Mohd Ajib
stresses the importance
of Muslim-friendly
tourism in Malaysia,
as it can benefit the
Islamic reputation
alongside contribute to
the country’s tourism
industry.
We should foster Malaysia to become one
of the best and beautiful Muslim-friendly
tourism destination, in parallel with how
God is beautiful and He loves beautiful
things.” — Tuan Haji Mohd Ajib
Recently, ITC completed a research on
“Profiling of Mosques with Tourism-Related
Attractions within the Tourism Corridors in
Malaysia”. The findings of the research focus
on the analyses and evaluation of the current
status and future prospects of mosque tour-
ism in Malaysia.
RAHMAH Mosque
The research is being served as a reference
point for tour operators, tourist guides,
hoteliers and other industry stakeholders
to attract tourists to Malaysia. According
to Mohd Ajib, “Islamic tourist sites such
as mosques function not only as a place of
worship for Muslims but also a medium of
social action that may encourage interac-
tion between tourist and local people as
well as among different components of the
multiracial population”. JAWI is working
together with ITC as a strategic partnership
to strengthen the build out and progress of
mosque in the federal territory.
He also said that the concept of ‘RAHMAH’
is to be promoted as a concept for Malaysian
mosques. “RAHMAH brings the meaning of
Friendly. R is for ‘Rahmah’ (Mercy), A is for
‘Aman’ (Peaceful), H is for ‘Harmoni’ (Har-
monious), M is for ‘Mesra’ (Friendly), A is
for ‘Alami’ (Natural) and H is for ‘Hormat’
(Respect). By implementing this concept,
even the non-Muslims would feel intrigued to
visit our mosques without feelings of phobia
or pessimistic.”
Mosque-to-Mosque
Programme
In addition to support the establishment of
mosques as a tourist spot, JAWI is also car-
rying out a Mosque-to-Mosque Programme.
The programme aims to both help and
learn in terms of architectural and design
from other mosques nationwide and world-
wide.