Restaurants in Hong Kong interested in attracting more big-spending Arab diners should consider offering halal food. Concern has been voiced among Muslims visiting the city who find it difficult to find menus items that are not contrary to principles of their faith, says United Arab Emirates Consul General Saeed Hamad Ali Aljunaibi.
Halal food is one of the issues Aljunaibi hopes the restaurant industry and tourism authorities will become more aware of as ties between Hong Kong and Middle Eastern nations develop.
The issue is also one of concern to local Muslims who have found that the prevalence of pork in local cuisine has led it to be used on dishes they were given to believe were pork-free, such as pizzas.
Halal, meaning permissible or lawful under Islam, forbids Muslims from eating pork, or products tainted with pork, or meat not considered slaughtered in accordance with religious faith. Though there are recognised halal restaurants in the city, Aljunaibi said a system of certification would work better, and pointed to the spending power of Arab visitors as one of the reasons for it making commercial sense.
Halal food has also become popular among non-Muslims who have concerns about the factory production of meat. Meats from animals slaughtered under religious guidelines are often considered free of harmful growth chemicals.