Hong Kong’s Muslim community urges government funding for body accrediting halal eateries
Other measures proposed include Ramadan food fairs and festivals to promote Muslim culture as well as more prayer rooms at shopping centres
Hong Kong’s Muslim community is calling for the government to provide financial support to an accreditation body in charge of certifying the city’s halal restaurants, amid an effort by authorities to attract more tourists from the Middle East.
The call was among several other proposed policies laid out on Wednesday at a press conference hosted by lawmakers, including Ramadan food fairs and festivals to promote Muslim culture to the wider public, as well as increasing the amount of prayer rooms at places such as the airport and shopping centres.
“Hong Kong has [Muslim-friendly facilities], but they are not enough,” said lawmaker Vincent Cheng Wing-shun of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB).
“The Muslim tourism market is very large and we do wish to attract more of them, but they may only give our city one chance.
“So it is worth putting more effort into ensuring they feel that we are friendly and welcoming to them.”
Increasing the number of restaurants suitable for Muslims, who adhere to certain dietary requirements known as halal, was a key goal, Cheng added.
