New Halaal restaurants, prayer facilities and information guides for Muslim football fans
The South African Muslim community is preparing to welcome the many Muslim players and fans expected to attend the 2010 Fifa World Cup in June and July, reports the Local Organising Committee.
A number of Halaal restaurants are being opened throughout the host cities and Halaal organisations, such as the National Independent Halaal Trust (NIHT), have increased inspections at newer franchises to increase the number of Halaal establishments available.
Head of the NIHT Moulana Abdul Wahab Wookay says: "Volunteers will be placed outside stadiums handing out lists of Halaal restaurants, products and prayer facilities in that city and they will also answer any questions from Muslim spectators."
The Johannesburg-based Council of Muslim Theologians is creating this brochure, which comprises of a list of prayer venues, Halaal restaurants and helpful guidelines for Muslim guests in the Gauteng province.
"These brochures will be made available at all major hotels, guest houses and the province's airports. It will contain pertinent information to assist the Muslim traveller," explains Moulana Bilal Vaid from the council's media desk.
Wookay says that preparations for Muslim guests take longer and require greater attention to detail: "Food and beverages are one thing, but other non-natural perishables like chocolates, sweets and pharmaceuticals could contain non-Halaal substances such as pork-based substances or extracts from an un-Islamic slaughtered animal. That's why details are so important."
Prayer facilities are also an important requirement for Muslim visitors, who are required to pray five times a day. Vaid says that more Mosques or Masaajids will be opened for the tournament to accommodate both male and female Muslim spectators. There are currently 500 Mosques or Masaajids in South Africa.
Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.