Halal tourism in Nepal striving

With a number of Islamic restaurants in the anvil adding on to the few existing ones, Nepal’s halal tourism is all set to attract more Islamic tourists mainly from the Middle East.

Halal tourism implies tourism activities that cater to the visitors who are particular about tourism based on the principles of Shariah, the cornerstone of Islamic beliefs.

Some of the smaller restaurants in and around major tourism attractions in Nepal, a country which has 3 per cent of Muslim population, are preferring to get halal certification from the Halal Certification Board in Nepal, which is registered under Nepal corporate law so that their businesses can be improved, according to a restaurateur in Pokhara, a tourist destination located some 200 kilometres from the capital.

“I knew, many of my friends who run restaurants have turned themselves into ‘halal’ or are waiting for a licence,” said Fatima Khatoon (pictured), a Nepali Muslim who serves halal foods.

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“There has been a steady demand for halal foods as we are getting many tourists from the Middle East and other Islamic countries,” adds Fatma, whose father was the first one to open a halal restaurant in Pokhara near the Juma Masjid.

Although there are joints to cater to an Islamic believer, the number of them is few, according to Tasmaya Khan, a food blogger.

“The halal tourism concept is striving in the Himalayan country but there are a few of them available. Having more of them would make the country more friendly to the people from the Middle East region,” she said.

The Halal Certification Board in Nepal, also accredited by most of the halal certification authorities around the world, is an Independent certification body incorporated with the government of Nepa and deals in permitted foods, research work, issuance of halal compliance certificate, independent auditing and monitoring product compositions and services as per Shariah law.

It aims to promote healthy and hygiene food preparation, handling and serving processes, promoting halal and Agro friendly tourism, halal friendly medical treatments, besides facilitating Hajj and Umrah services, halal products supply chain processes and logistics.

There are a number of hotels and restaurants that serve halal foods and encourage halal tourism in Nepal. However, one needs to check online and choose their preferred selections, according to Khan.