Will they be available to people of other faiths?
Muslim-friendly hotels, also known as “halal hotels”, will appear in Russia, their certification for the summer season has already begun — about This was reported by the department responsible for the domestic quality system, which now has a “halal” division — that is, pleasing to the Almighty, as Russian Muslims call Allah. We found out what he would like to see in the domestic hotel fund and whether it will be available to non-believers?
Muslim Friendly standards, currently being implemented by the Halal Competence Center under Roskachestvo, have long existed in 30 countries of the world, and not only in Muslim ones – Experts talk about this.
— A Muslim-friendly system that works all over the world, since Muslims live all over the planet, the official certification body «Roskachestvo-Halal» adapted to Russian quality standards in collaboration with the muftiates (Muslim spiritual administrations — author's note) of Russian regions, explains the expert certification group already working in Kazan, where Muslim certification of the entire country began.
According to one of the imams of the Kazan mosque, this is a very “Allah-pleasing undertaking,” because it is often very uncomfortable and even offensive for the faithful to stay in secular hotels, where “alcohol flows freely, women are half naked, and couples do not hide their relationships.” And summer is just around the corner, and Russian Muslims, of whom there are many, are planning family vacations at popular domestic resorts. The Russian Islamic theologian explains that those whose father is a true believer do not require additional initiation into the confession. But among the so-called “ethnic” or born Muslims born from a Muslim father, as «observers» — strictly following the norms of Sharia, and secular ones, believers only in their hearts. But it is equally unpleasant for both of them if “debauchery is going on” in front of their wives and children, which includes many things that Russians prefer on vacation. dress code in the style of minimalism, excessive libations, dancing until you drop, swimming naked, etc. Therefore, for establishments where during the holidays you won’t have to deal with all this every day face, the heads of faithful families are even ready to overpay.
However, the first reaction of Runet, where many ethnic Muslims live – not all, we are waiting for temple hotels, cathedral hotels, churches and datsans – the country is multinational. And also the hotel-party committee and tourist center “Opium for the people”, atheists also need somewhere to relax. And the less humorously inclined part of the users even managed to call the certification that had begun “instilling religious hatred.” They say that now, when checking into a hotel, they will check not only your passport, but also circumcision (a religious rite for Muslim and Jewish men, most often performed with boys 7-9 years old — author's note)
Meanwhile, the halal competence center of the Russian quality agency explains to citizens that the international “Muslim-friendly” standard received by the establishment is does not mean at all that “this accommodation facility will not be able to accommodate guests of other religions and non-believers.” However, he will give to those who “observe” a signal to tourists that this is a halal hotel – there nothing will offend their eyes, ears, feelings and faith. The department plans to create a special portal on which believers will be able to plan their trip across the Russian Federation in advance, so that only establishments pleasing to the Almighty — halal hotels, restaurants and entertainment — will be on their way. Certificate «Muslim-friendly» has already been received by the Roscongress Foundation, which “gave it impetus to the formation of hospitality standards for congress and exhibition activities and business tourism with Muslim partners.” And the food, confectionery and a number of other industries have already requested.
“It’s like GOST,” describes the introduced innovations Natalya Ivanovna, who has been working in the Kazan halal hotel since the time when it was still listed as a “party hotel.” Soviet Tataria. – To get a «Muslim» badge, you need to put a prayer rug in your room, a Koran in the bedside table and remove alcohol from the minibar – it's minimum. And then whoever knows what. The large towns where forums with the participation of Iranians and Afghans are held have gone to such lengths that they even put mohrs under the pillows (mukhr — a stone for prayer among Shiites — author's note), and the rest of the namazlyk (necessary for Muslim prayer — approx. author) – editions of the Koran in Tatar, Russian, Arabic and English, rosaries, even lunar calendars with Islamic chronology. And others received the “Muslim minimum” — they just made a mini-mosque in the establishment (mosque — mosque — author's note). Like prayer rooms in airports.
Employees of hotels that have become halal in the Krasnodar and Stavropol territories tell approximately the same thing: in large hotel complexes, in order to obtain a Muslim certificate, they make a “Muslim wing” or “Muslim floor”, that is, only part of the rooms are designated for halal. But for small guesthouses, which are now barely surviving, it is more profitable to completely adopt an appearance pleasing to Allah, especially since this is not too expensive, and revenue will immediately increase.
— In addition to what I already said, it is also necessary to equip toilets with showers or at least jugs for ablution. And so that there are no alcohol bars or social events in the hotel at all,” our interlocutor clarifies. — We, for example, have them; it’s more difficult for a large hotel to refuse this. In our non-Muslim wing there are weddings and a disco with a bar.
The survey shows that «halal guesthouses» — private mini-hotels with conditions pleasing to Allah – have been working all over Russia for a long time, it’s just that mainly those who need them know about them. Moreover, the owners of these mini-halals are often not Muslims themselves. And there was not a single establishment that declared a ban on visiting non-religious people, that is, halal hotels welcome representatives of any faiths if their vacation is not spoiled by Sharia norms.
— We are Orthodox to the tenth generation, both my husband’s family and mine, children and granddaughters are all baptized,” the owner of the “mini-halal” is baptized. in the vicinity of Gelendzhik. – It’s just that in our business there is a lot of competition, and halal – profitable niche. After all, at one time Muslim families even gave private advertisements before going on vacation – We are, they say, looking for housing for vacation, so that they don’t drink nearby, don’t expose themselves, the music doesn’t roar until the morning, and all this. And since we converted to halal, it wasn’t Muslims who came to us, but ordinary Russians, who don’t drink and love silence. And we are glad to see everyone, just come!