«Muslim Friendly» concept was discussed at a press conference for RBC

At a press conference for RBC (one of the largest multimedia holdings in Russia) within the framework of the XV International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”, Chairman of the Halal Standard Committee of the Muslim Religious Board of the Republic of Tatarstan Abbyas Hazrat Shlyaposhnikov spoke about the system of compliance with Muslim friendly standards developed for organizations, following the principle of friendly attitude towards persons professing Islam. The press conference was attended by CEO of The Islamic Chamber of Halal Services (ICHS) Ashraf El Tanbouly and Mufti of the Muslim Religious Board of the Kemerovo Region Tagir Bikchantaev.

The decisive factor in the beginning of the development of the Muslim friendly direction was a working trip to Brazil, when the Tatarstan delegation led by the Mufti of Tatarstan Kamil Hazrat Samigullin visited the Global Halal Brazil Business Forum 2023, organized by the partners of the Committee – FAMBRAS HALAL.

Abbyas Hazrat Shlyaposhnikov said that in Brazil, a country where Muslims represent a small part of the population, in one of the hotels they were provided with the Koran, comfortable conditions for performing prayers and organized halal food.

In Tatarstan, they analyzed this practice and documents regulating these issues in other countries, for example: Turkey, Egypt and Malaysia. Afterwards, the learned experience was adapted to local conditions.

Organizations that are willing to provide a comfortable environment for Muslims and strive to obtain a halal certificate, but face certain obstacles, will now have the opportunity to obtain a certificate of compliance with Muslim friendly standards. The system is not limited to hotel certification – it is applicable to many areas of the service sector and even medical services.

CEO of The Islamic Chamber of Halal Services (ICHS) Ashraf El Tanbouly said that creating comfortable conditions for Muslims is not so difficult. Ashraf El Tanbouly drew attention to the relevance of providing hotels and airports with conditions for reading namaz. The development of halal infrastructure in this sector can significantly facilitate travel for Muslims and contribute to the development of tourism between Islamic states and Russia.

The development of certification according to the Muslim friendly standard was supported by the mufti of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Kemerovo Region Tagir Bikchantaev. The mufti considers this project relevant for his region, where not many Muslims live.

In Tatarstan, the possibility of promoting the Muslim friendly system at Tatneft gas stations is currently being considered.

“In the future we will develop it [the Muslim friendly direction] based on customer requests. There are several organizations in line that are waiting for a document on compliance with Muslim friendly requirements,” said Hazrat Abbyas.

Press service of the Halal Standard Committee