With the influx of Muslim market brought by the direct Davao-Doha flight via Qatar Airways in mind, Davao City is now working to launch itself as Halal friendly destination in time of the Araw ng Davao next year.
Halal refers to food consumption standards that are permissible under Islamic law. This involves animals being slaughtered and processed in a particular manner. In addition, products should not contain pork or alcohol.
Davao City Tourism Operation Office (DCTOO) head Generose Tecson told media that restaurants, hotels, and tourism-related establishments are directed to create priority list of doable things such as provision of Qibla (the direction that should be faced when a Muslim prays), Quran, bidet, prayer mats, and prayer room to make their businesses Halal friendly.
“These are lists of the things na puwede mong gawin para maging Halal friendly ang resto mo. Kunwari a bidet, a prayer area, a small table where maybe they can put food na hindi nahaluan ng pork, or a small table with a cooker meron utensils na hindi pa nagagamit for prepration ng food na hindi pa nahahaluan ng food. Sa restaurant sector siya yung titingin sa listahan kung ano pa ang puwedeng gawin. For the hotel, yung rooms ninyo sana may mga bidet, may qibla pati Quran, or prayer mats,” Tecson said.DCTOO is expecting to receive the list this month.
Tecson revealed that they will meet the Alims and the tourism industry leaders to study the lists. She also said they will conduct an orientation with the tourism stakeholders and establishments in December this year and January next year. Members of the Davao-based Mercy Islamic Foundation Inc. have expressed to help where to locate the Qibla as well as provide Quran and prayer mats.
Tecson said they are targeting to launch Davao City as Halal destination in time for Araw ng Davao next year. “We hope to be able to come up with the list this month and start the orientation in December this year and January next year and maybe launch the city as Halal friendly destination by Araw ng Davao.”
Tecson said there is a need to simplify things when it comes to Halal as it is a diverse and broad industry.
“Masyadong broad ang Halal. All things about Halal is too broad and you need to understand about Halal. Here in Davao City, yun ang parati kong sinasabi hindi naman tayo kailangan na Muslim-city majority are still Christians. You have to understand also that Halal is all about religion and an integral part of the Islam faith,” Tecson said.
According to Tecson, they had a meeting with the Alims, Mercy Islamic Foundation, and private sector for a leveling of understanding about Halal. Among the barriers why Halal sector will not take off not only in Davao City but Philippines as well is the Halal certification process.
“That is why the DCTOO gusto na maging Halal friendly ang Davao kasi hindi naiintidihan kung ano itong certification so to simplify things Mercy Foundaiton offered to help us. They consider everything Halal but if there is something kunwari sa isang fastfood or eatery if there is something na may pork haram na yan. Ganon lang ka simple hindi yung ka convoluted,” Tecson said.However, she clarified that the city does not want itself to be branded as Halal tourism destination but just “Halal friendly.”
“We want to be a Halal friendly destination like ang mga banyo lagyan ng bidet, sa shopping mall baka naman puiwede silang mag-designate ng isang lugar formprayer area, and a place also for our Muslim brothers and sisters can wash their feet because before they pray they need to wash up. For tourism destinations baka pwede silang mag designate ng isang lugar na merong Qibla and prayer mats na pag inabutan sila ng prayer time doon na sila magpray. Simplistic muna and for now let’s start with something doable for the industry and for the whole of the city,” she said.
