Are You A ‘Friendly’ Muslim?

The Creative Journey of Finding Halal Food While Travelling 

(Inspired by Muslim Friendly Travel Campaign "Salam Taiwan" by Taiwan Tourism Board)

Foreword with DR. MUHAMMAD NIZAM AWANG @ ALI

Senior Lecturer Faculty of Shariah And Law USIM

Dr Nizam during a conference at National Tsing Hua University

An exclusive interview with Dr Nizam promoting Friendly Muslim Traveller

Travelling to a Muslim-minority country such as Taiwan presents both challenges and unique opportunities. It forces us to be creative in navigating situations, especially when it comes to finding certified halal food. While it's generally easier to locate halal options in larger cities compared to smaller towns, the journey of seeking permissible food often becomes part of the ADVENTURE!

Syilda Ismail, Senior Executive Producer of Kinihalal speaks to Dr Nizam Awang, Senior Lecturer Faculty of Shariah and Law, USIM, who visited Taipei for a conference in August 2024. 

One of the first thoughts when planning a trip is: “Where will I find halal certified food?” Many travellers, particularly from countries like Malaysia, often seek out restaurants with familiar cuisines, such as Malaysian, Indonesian, or other Asian eateries. 

 Research and Planning for Halal Food

Just like creating an itinerary for sightseeing or shopping, planning where to eat is essential. 

According to Dr Nizam during an exclusive interview with Kinihalal, conducting a bit of research beforehand can save a lot of time and anxiety. 

Websites and apps that list halal eateries can be incredibly helpful. 

Taipei 101 is a must visit, Dr Nizam finds Taipei a welcoming city,  often overshadowed by its larger neighbouring countries

‘It’s not always about finding certified halal places—sometimes local mosques or Muslim communities can provide recommendations for trusted halal spots’ he added.

When in a country where the language is unfamiliar, creativity and resourcefulness become key. 

Apps like Google Translate can be handy to understand menus or communicate with locals. 

While the ideal situation is finding halal-certified restaurants, flexibility is often necessary when travelling. 

Sometimes, non-certified places may offer meals that align with halal requirements, especially if they avoid the use of pork and alcohol. In such cases, trust and personal judgement are crucial.

When visiting a country, visit the mosque first  

In many countries, mosques double as community centres, offering not only a place for worship but also serving halal food or providing information about nearby halal restaurants. 

Exploring areas around mosques can lead to discovering hidden gems of halal cuisine, although these places may sometimes be far from tourist spots or accommodations.

As a muslim traveler, find the mosque first, to gather more information 

BE SIMPLE :)  

To ensure you’re always prepared, it’s a good idea to carry Ready-to-Eat (RTE) meals, especially when visiting remote areas. Many hotels are equipped with a kettle, making it convenient to warm up meals when necessary. 

In case halal food is difficult to find, fruit or bakery items like bread can serve as quick alternatives. 

Simple vegetarian or fish-based meals can also provide a safe option in countries where halal-certified food is scarce.

Dr Nizam advised to be simple in eating when travelling, omit the sauce or ketchup if need be.

Be simple in your choice of food while traveling

While simpler dishes are often easier to identify as valid to eat, especially those marked vegetarian, the more complex a dish, the more the halal-ness may vary. 

This is particularly true where many dishes are cooked with sauces, marinades, or ingredients that might not be halal. 

Flexibility and Adaptability: Key Skills for Muslim Travelers

Travelling teaches us to become self-sufficient and adaptable, particularly when our resources are limited. 

Learning about the local food culture helps us navigate new environments and appreciate local traditions. 

It’s also an opportunity to practise simplicity and humility. 

Being mindful of the local culture and showing respect for others' customs is an adhab that goes a long way in fostering understanding and goodwill.

This is what Dr Nizam connotes as being ‘friendly’ thus adaptive, creative, resourceful and respecting others when travelling. 

Be a friendly muslim traveler 

Travelling as a Muslim offers a unique perspective where Islam encourages us to explore and seek knowledge, not just for personal growth but to broaden our understanding of different cultures. 

This experience helps us develop tolerance, open-mindedness, and empathy towards people from various backgrounds.

Dr Nizam reiterated that,  we learn the importance of balancing our religious obligations with practicalities, and how to adapt when faced with limitations. 

Taiwan is an underrated country waiting to be discovered.

Whether it's about finding halal food or learning to be flexible with travel plans, the experience becomes more meaningful when approached with sabr (patience) and an open heart.

In conclusion, the journey to find halal food in foreign lands such as Taiwan can be challenging, but it’s also an enriching experience while staying true to our values. 

Muslim Friendly Travel Campaign by Salam Taiwan 

The Taiwan tourism bureau launched its 2024 Salam Taiwan Muslim-friendly travel campaign enticing more Malaysian Muslim travellers to Taiwan.

Taiwan has been actively promoting itself as a Muslim-friendly destination in key markets like Malaysia and Indonesia, making Taiwan more accommodating for visitors.

Syilda Ismail with Director of Taiwan Tourism Administration International Affairs Division, Huang Yi-Chen during the Jom Taiwan Press Conference in Taipei, recently.

Senior Executive Producer Kinihalal, Syilda Ismail was invited by Taiwan Tourism Board to partake in a 6 days 5 nights Salam Taiwan tour in August 2024.

As part of this effort, the increase in Halal-certified restaurants helps attract more Muslim tourists, who rely on Halal food options when travelling.

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