Shariah Compliant Hotels: Definition and Guidelines

• Shariah Compliant Hotels (SCH) are an innovation in the service industry.
• SCHs respond to the requirements of Muslim travellers while they are travelling.

Basic Attributes of SCH

• SCHs meet the religious needs of patrons using features like prayer rooms, prayer mats, directions to Mecca, and copies of the Quran.
• SCHs have halal food available.
• SCHs typically ban alcohol, gambling, and adultery.
• SCHs will often segregate facilities for male and female guests.
• SCHs have an appropriate dress code for employees.

Proposed SCH Guidelines

• Din (1982): states that basic Muslim needs like prayer mats, Qurans, prayer beads, and a sign of Kiblah should be provided; alcohol, different Qurans and utensils for use by Muslim customers, and no drug dealing are required; unmarried couples are not allowed to check-in.
• Hashim, et al.(2006): states that more Islamic information should be present on hotel websites, like the nearby mosques and halal food at concierge desks and on the websites.
• Rosenberg and Choufany (2009): focus on operations, design, interiors, and financial elements like no pictures of human parts on display.
• Stephenson et al. (2010): focus on the interior design of the room and Islamic financial management, like zakat.
• Henderson (2010): general guidelines for SCHs, such as conservative staff dress, all-female floors, and a guest dress code.

Shariah Compliant Hotel Sector Issues

• There is no universal standard of SCH services and amenities.
• Bureaucracy of halal certification is a problem.
• SCHs are costly to implement.
• The majority of hotels are owned by non-Muslims.
• Accommodating both Muslim and non-Muslim guest needs creates an issue.

Examples of Malaysian SCHs

• Grand Bluewave Hotel in Shah Alam, Selangor
• Raia (Tabung Haji) Hotels in several states
• De Palma Hotel in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
• PNB Perdana Hotel & Suites on the Park Kuala Lumpur

Additional Points

• Almulla Hospitality planned to develop an international chain of 150 Islamic Hotels worldwide.
• Of these 150 hotels, 90 were planned for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
• Syariah Hotel Fujisan, which is located in the Yamanashi Prefecture town of Fujikawaguchiko, opened with a prayer room and halal menus.
• SCHs improve service quality, hotel reputation, and competitive advantage in the hotel industry.
• SCHs provide a new impetus for the growth of Islamic tourism on a global scale.
• Islamic Tourism promotes a deeper appreciation of Islam and its civilization.
• SCHs stimulate understanding between the world's cultures and civilizations.