18 | JULY-AUGUST 2022
OIC calls for more investment in halal tourism
Worldwide tourist arrivals declined by 72.8 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019
Hissein Brahim Taha
THE Ministerial meeting of the 11th Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers ( ICTM ) was inaugurated in Baku , Azerbaijan , on June 28 , 2022 .
The opening session was attended by Ministers of tourism , heads of Member States ’ delegations , and OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha .
Fuad Naghiyev , Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan , delivered an opening statement on behalf of the President of Azerbaijan , Ilham Aliyev .
In his speech during the opening session , Taha stressed the devastating impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic , which eroded confidence in international travel . The strict containment measures put in place resulted in significant losses in tourist arrivals and tourism receipts .
“ The worldwide tourist arrivals declined by 72.8 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019 , which resulted in an estimated loss of US $ 1.3 trillion in tourism revenues ,” said Taha .
He emphasised that the emerging market of halal tourism had the potential to give OIC Member States a competitive edge in this subsector and called on both public and private players in the tourism industry to invest more in halal tourism .
Taha underlined that tourism continued
Fuad Naghiyev
to hold more significant potential for promoting Small and Medium Enterprises ( SMEs ) and generating employment for many OIC populations , including the vulnerable segments and the youth .
In this context , he called for developing efficient public mechanisms , financial resources , and crisis-response preparedness mechanisms aimed at helping OIC member countries to successfully respond and recover from the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic crisis that has hit the tourism stakeholders since 2020 .
Taha also called on the Member States and relevant OIC institutions to create new programmes in the OIC Cities of Tourism to attract tourists and , at the same time , promote new OIC tourism destinations . — R & R
Halal Food Festival in Manchester
A NEW food festival celebrating Manchester ’ s halal dining debuted in August .
Festival-goers enjoyed over 100 exhibitors , street food vendors , four indoor arenas , and an outdoor fun fair . The Halal Food Festival featured vendors from around the world , including Afrikana , OMalaysia , The Dutch Fishmen , Phat Jo ’ s , The Butchers Kitchen , and Manchester ’ s Rita ’ s Reign .
Armaan , Ceekays , Shana , and The Halal Food Shop were at Bowlers Exhibition Centre ( BEC ) on Aug 27-28 , along with gourmet desserts , savouries , and lifestyle vendors . Homemade Savouries by Sara hosted live cooking demonstrations , workshops , and competitions in the cooking theatre .
Arena 2 held ‘ Muslim Instashop Expo Artisan Market ’ with fine delicacies , home décor , arts and crafts , fashion , and beauty . The Halal Food Festival ’ s official charity partner , Islamic Relief , hosted an outdoor fun fair and kids ’ play arena .
Tufail Hussain , director of Islamic Relief UK , said : “ It was an amazing outdoor event .” Families enjoyed delicious food while helping the less fortunate . Islamic Relief UK and the festival feed 5,000 people worldwide and support homeless centres . — R & R
Belfast Islamic Centre
Visit My Mosque Day in Belfast
OVER 250 mosques in the UK welcomed visitors to help them understand their faith .
The Belfast Islamic Centre , which is affiliated to the Muslim Council of Britain ( MCB ), was one of them . It is based in Wellington Park .
Visit My Mosque is an MCB initiative encouraging mosques across the UK to hold open days to welcome neighbours of all faiths and build bridges across communities .
Visit My Mosque enabled mosques to be part of a nationwide event where mosques across the UK opened on the same day . People were encouraged to bring a friend to Visit My Mosque Belfast from Sept 4-12 .
Meet your local Muslim community , take a tour , attend information and Q & A sessions , and have tea !
In 1978 , local Muslims founded the Belfast Islamic Centre to serve all Northern Ireland Muslims .
The centre serves Muslims of all ethnicities , genders , countries , and ages . Forty-two nationalities use the centre . Over 10,000 Muslims live in the province . BIC is Northern Ireland ’ s largest mosque and community centre .
The event comes days after construction on the new Belfast Islamic Centre began . The new Islamic Centre in the former Aldersgate House on University Road will be completed next year , six years after it was announced .
The new three-storey base will have a prayer space , drop-in centre , educational facilities , and a coffee shop . It will also host interfaith and intercultural discussions .
BIC announced that construction had begun and awarded the contract to Belfast-based Mascott Construction Europe Limited . Lack of funds and the Covid pandemic have delayed refurbishment plans . — R & R