The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) has been appointed by the National Council for Islamic Affairs to determine the sharia compliance benchmark for tourism services, including those for spas and hotels.

Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, a minister in the Prime Minister’s department said that national demand for the incorporation and standardisation of muslim principles has increased in the service industry – aside from those such as halal certification already in place for national food products and Islamic banking, according to a report by national news agency Bernama.

Based on the example of the sharia-compliant Egyptian property development company Amer Group Holding, Islamic-friendly resorts in Malaysia can be expected to forbid the construction of gambling facilities, bars, pubs or nightclubs in its developments and also ban the sale of alcohol. According to Amer’s management team, such restrictions create a friendly atmosphere for families and attracts customers seeking entertainment and dining options that respect their own values and cultures.

“When everything has been fine-tuned, these services will be recognised by JAKIM as sharia-compliant, just as food is given halal certification,” Jamil Khir Baharom told Bernama after opening the 19th Shariah Advisory Council for Financial Institutions in Malaysia Dialogue in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

“We have an excellent record in shariah-based finance and we hope other sharia players in Malaysia make a name in the world as a point of reference for other countries,” Khir Baharom added.