Author: Joan C. Henderson
There are an estimated 1.5 billion Muslims in the world, or about 23% of the world's population. Of this, 20% live in the Middle East and North Africa, and 60% live in Asia. With this many Muslims in the world, along with the prevalence and reach of globalization, it should not be surprising that a large amount of Muslims decide to go on trips abroad, especially religious pilgrimages. Along with religious travel, these pilgrims or religious tourists demand accommodations that will enable them to adhere to the tenets of Islam and Sharia. This is where the concept of Sharia-compliant hotels comes in.
According to the article, there is no set criteria of what formulates Sharia-compliant, just as there are many interpretations of Sharia itself, with varying degrees of stringency relating to gender segregation, alcohol availability, etc. Some of these hotels enforce more stringent versions of Sharia-compliance, such as separate cafes for men and women, staff that serve only guests of their same gender, and a barring of unmarried couples from staying in the same room. In this version of hotel, art displayed must not depict the human form, and sometimes the hotel may offer regular preaching sermons and seminars. The article displays a chart illustrating many of the more common features of Sharia-compliant hotels. These are:
1) No alcohol served or consumed on premises
2) Halal foods served
3) Qur'an, prayer mats, and direction towards Mecca indicated in every room
4) Beds and toilets not facing Mecca
5) Bidets in bathrooms
6) Prayer rooms
7) Appropriate entertainment (i.e. no adult entertainment or TV channels)
8) Predominantly Muslim staff
9) Conservative staff dress
10) Separate recreational facilities for men and women
11) All female floors
12) Guest dress code
13) Islamic funding
The article mentions and discusses the viability of such hotels in different geographic locations, or in other words, how the hotel will fare in a predominantly Muslim country versus a Western society in Europe. Many companies doubt the viability of such hotels being popular in Europe or North America, especially considering the stigma associated with the word "Sharia." Prospects in international tourist destinations such as Dubai, however, seem to be much more promising.
Another interesting aspect regarding the future of such hotels is the funding. There is much debate over whether Islamic principle-based finance and "modern" finance are compatible, for instance, the Islamic proscription on charging interest on speculative investments and investing in forbidden areas of Sharia, such as alcohol and gambling. Other features of the Islamic principle-based finance include the sharing of risk and and ensuring the benefit of the community.
Marketing these hotels to non-Muslims is and will continue to be another facet in the discussion this type of hotel. Some think that many travelers will appreciate the cultural awareness and experience that staying in such a hotel could provide. Yet the discussion about whether the Sharia-based atmosphere should apply to all guests (such as no alcohol, no unmarried room-sharing, etc.), or whether should apply only to those observant Muslims who choose to abide by them, will continue and be given serious discussion and thought.
Personally, I think the idea would be quite an interesting experience, especially if I were to travel in the Middle East or North Africa. It would be a great way to experience how many people live in those areas, by experiencing aspects of Sharia. If a person really wanted to drink, I'm sure he or she could find a drink out in town, and it is not as if a person would be forced to stay at such a hotel if he or she does not wish to. All-in-all, I think these hotels are a good thing, as they cater to more religiously-minded individuals and families want to be able to observe the religious lifestyle they probably adhere to at home, even if they are abroad.
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