Dato ' Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee |
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THE halal industry and Islamic tourism are deeply interlinked, forming a supportive ecosystem that strengthens Malaysia ' s appeal to Muslim travellers. In this context, opportunities offered by mosque tourism and halal certification by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia( JAKIM) should be fully leveraged by industry players to enhance Malaysia ' s position as a leading Muslim-friendly destination.
JAKIM Director-General Dato ' Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee noted that the connection between Islamic tourism and mosques is a significant one, as tourists often see mosques as key landmarks worth visiting.
" This is especially true in Muslim countries. Malaysia, for instance, is a nation founded on Islamic principles, which naturally attracts tourists," said Sirajuddin.
" If we examine some of the major cities, we ' ll find that major mosques are rarely without foreign visitors. A good
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Scan Me
Masjid Negara is one of the mosques administered by JAKIM.
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example of this is Putrajaya, where it ' s almost unheard of for there to be no tourists.
" This is due to two main factors. Firstly, the architectural design of the mosque itself draws people in, as tourists want to capture beautiful memories of their time in the country. Secondly, tourists are interested in the practices and activities that occur within the mosque. In fact, in some places, visitors are curious to observe how Muslims perform their prayers.
" These are among the unique experiences that mosque tourism can offer, particularly to international travellers. It is an opportunity that should be further highlighted in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026( VM 2026)."
ADDRESSING MISCONCEPTIONS
Sirajuddin highlighted JAKIM ' s longstanding collaboration with the Islamic Tourism Centre( ITC) in promoting mosque tourism as a key part of Malaysia ' s Islamic tourism offerings.
He cited iconic mosques such as Masjid Putra, Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, and Masjid Negara- all under JAKIM ' s administration, as well as Masjid Wilayah and Masjid Jamek in Kuala Lumpur, as major tourist attractions due to their architectural and cultural significance.
He explained that efforts are being made to ensure mosques are welcoming and accessible to visitors. These include the provision of suitable attire to enter the premises respectfully and the placement of officers who can offer guidance, explain mosque services, and introduce visitors to the values of Islam.
" One of the objectives is to correct misconceptions and demonstrate that
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Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, Putrajaya.
HALAL PRODUCTS TO ATTRACT TOURISTS
He emphasised the importance of industry participation in halal certification, noting that it now extends beyond food to include a wide range of sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
As halal certification continues to broaden, these offerings further strengthen Malaysia ' s appeal as a Muslim-friendly destination.
" When we discuss Islamic tourism, it doesn ' t stand alone as a distinct or separate category. Islamic tourism is connected to various aspects. Tourists from abroad view Malaysia as a peaceful and comfortable country to visit. One of the approaches championed by ITC and Tourism Malaysia is to position the country as a food haven or food paradise.
" For Muslim tourists in particular, Malaysia is seen as a heaven of halal food. In their own countries, there are certain dishes or food products they may not be able to enjoy due to halal restrictions. But when they arrive in Malaysia, they can eat with ease, knowing that everything is halalcertified. This is one of the country ' s key strengths,” added Sirajuddin.
He also shared that ongoing initiatives with the Ministry of Health aim to formally recognise more Muslimfriendly hospitals, which could further attract medical tourists seeking treatment in an environment that respects their faith-based needs.- RnR
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