KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Bernama) -- The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and Cathay Pacific Airways are committed to providing halal (permissible in Islam) food for Muslim travellers to Hong Kong.
Muslim travellers could have their pick at 28 halal food outlets and vegetarian restaurants offered by the airline and HKTB including the Beijing Beef Restaurant, The Curry Pot and the Islamic Centre's canteen.
An official from Hong Kong's Kowloon Mosque, Imam Mohamed Abdul Kader Suaibu Noohu said each food item would be checked and also referred to the Hong Kong Islamic Council for clarification if there was any doubt.
"The person who is in charge of the kitchen should be a Muslim or else we will not issue the halal certificate," he said at a Hong Kong Muslim Travel half-day workshop here today organised by HKTB and Cathay Pacific Airways.
The official halal logo and halal certificate are issued by Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong (The Trustee) after scrutinising the restaurants and their sources of food supply.
"A halal restaurant cannot serve alcoholic drinks or beer. When an applicant meets the criteria, a halal logo is issued together with a halal restaurant certificate," Imam Mohamed Abdul Kader said.
In the case of the halal food certificate, food outlets serving alcoholic drinks or beer will only be issued a halal food certificate when the criteria are met.
Only food establishments approved by The Trustee as having met either or both halal criteria will be submitted to the Hong Kong Tourism Board for uploading into its website.
"In consideration of the religious and dietary requirements of Muslim travellers, it is important to update the travel agents' product knowledge and facilitate better understanding of what Hong Kong can offer to Muslim visitors," HKTB regional director for South and Southeast Asia, David Leung, said.
Other than halal food, there are seven mosques in Hong Kong such as the Shelley Street Mosque, Kowloon Mosque and Chaiwan Mosque.
-- BERNAMA
Copyright © 2008 BERNAMA. All rights reserved.
