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EDITOR’S LET TER Welcome to the fourth issue of our HalalTravel magazine, battuta. HalalTravels.com created battuta to provide a breath of fresh air for Muslim travelers. It serves as a catalyst that inspires Muslims to travel and discover our world. It also serves as a platform for collaboration amongst all concerned players in the travel industry committed to addressing Muslim travelers’ needs. This battuta issue coincides with a time when our world is optimistic about what the future holds insha’Allah when it comes to traveling. HalalTravel’s Team Lead, Dr. Mehmet N. Akkurt, will share the company’s latest updates and accomplishments.
Managing Editor Haifa A Hussein
Our “Explore a Mystery” series continues with Nafisakhon Bosimova exploring the Şakirin Mosque in Istanbul. This piece of architecture is a tribute to women and what they can accomplish. Zaakirah Karbary will paint a vivid picture that will allow us to “Get a Taste of the World right at Home.” Traveler’s Trivia, our brain teaser segment, will be followed by a Q&A with Sara Salih, a Muslim influencer who has managed to spread some positivity and hope in our last three battuta issues. This time, we have switched her role to find out more about her aspirations, experiences, travel diaries, and so much more. With a never-ending passion for searching and finding hidden treasures and unique experiences, Inspire_Ihsan (Excellence) sets out to uncover Hidden Turkish Gems that need to be discovered and appreciated. The Muslim Civilization, often called the Golden Age of Human civilization, flourished when the rest of the world was going through the Dark Ages. The “Spotlight” segment of battuta, our newest addition, celebrates present-day Islamic achievements on a global scale in an attempt to change the narrative that not everything is lost. There are still Muslims making a difference today, and we are excited to have Yomi Gerard launch this section by presenting Launchgood to the world. Reem El Shafaki from Dinar Standard and Muhtar Emirguliyev will shed light and help us navigate the travel industry’s murky waters post covid-19. I am glad to have you join us as readers, and I hope you will also join us as contributors. I leave you to contemplate on the words of Ibn Battuta, “Traveling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
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Editor in Chief Mehmet N. Akkurt Managing Editor Haifa Hussein Art Director Vefa Yabanigul Graphic Designer Yusuf Tezel Writers Nafisakhon Bakhromovna Zaakirah Karbary Inspire_Ihsan Yomi Gerard Reem El Shafaki Muhtar Emirguliyev Contributors Sara Salih
CONTENTS: Explore a Mystery: Şakirin Mosque
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Vacations End, Memories Last! Memories From Followers
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Get a Taste of the World right at Home Zaakirah Karbary
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Traveler’s Trivia
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Q&A with a Muslim Influencer: Sara Salih
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Hidden Gems of Turkey Inspire_Ihsan (Excellence)
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Spotlight: LaunchGood.com
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Halal Tourism Business Reem El Shafaki
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Halal Tourism News Muhtar Emirguliyev
44 GET IN TOUCH Advertisement & Enquiries vyabanigul@HalalTravels.com
Editorial
blog@HalalTravels.com
General
info@HalalTravels.com
IN SOCIAL MEDIA @HalalTravelscom
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HalalTravels.com - Company Updates I wish to extend my warmest greetings and share a little bit about HalalTravels’ exciting journey with you. We are on a journey. A journey that started back in 2018 with a dynamic and enthusiastic team of professionals. It was a journey that began with a vision to “make travel accessible for Muslim travelers all around the world.” A journey that continues with the motto of “Inspiring Muslim travelers to explore the world.” A journey that aims at “excellence in customer experience in pre, on, and post-travel.” At Halaltravels, we were aware of the need to establish a community for Muslim travelers; thus, we launched HT Blog and our e-magazine, battuta. Platforms where Muslim travelers from all around the world can share their experiences and connect. We were aware of the importance of having a fast and user-friendly website. Our website is easy to navigate while providing tailored experiences based on needs and wants. You will now spend less time booking and more time getting excited about your upcoming travel. We were aware that the new generation of Muslim travelers is more interested in “off the beaten track” destinations. Hence, we expanded our inventory. Socially conscious traveling is the future of travel. We are working toward allowing our customers to become part of this movement. They will do so by reducing their carbon print, donating to an organization at their desired destination, or by voluntourism. One way or another, traveling will turn into an impactful activity for travelers who wish to do so. At HalalTravels, we care, we understand, we plan, and we execute. We will work toward meeting the unique needs of Muslim travelers with enthusiasm, professionalism, and determination. In conclusion, I want to say thank you for your continued support during our journey. HalalTravels.com’s Team Lead Dr. Mehmet N. Akkurt
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Explore a Mystery: Ş. a k i r i n M o s q u e - a modern apology of Islamic architecture By Nafisakhon Bosimova Istanbul, a fairytale in the Middle East, is rightfully called the city of mosques. According to official figures, at the beginning of 2014, there were 3,190 active mosques in Istanbul. Under the city’s architectural plans, the number of mosques in Istanbul will reach 3250. Since Istanbul is home to many ancient mosques, modern Islamic architecture can hardly be considered a city attraction. However, Şakirin Mosque (pronounced Shakirin Mosque) is one of the pleasant exceptions. Mosques in Turkey usually follow the Byzantine or the Ottoman architectural design. However, the Şakirin Mosque is a modern interpretation of what Islamic architecture could be. Şakirin Mosque (Şakirin Camii) is the most original Mosque in Turkey and the world. It is also one of the most carbon-neutral Mosques in Turkey. Its inauguration was in May 2009 in one of the most religious districts of Istanbul - Üsküdar. The Şakirin Mosque (Şakirin Camii) was built in memory of Ibrahim and Semiha Shakir by their children Gazi, Ghada, and Gassan, who live in London. The Mosque’s name is a reflection of the surname, but it also has a different meaning. If you translate the word Shakirin, the literal meaning is “those who are thankful (to Allah swt)” in Arabic. The construction lasted for four to five years, and finally, in 2009, the Şakirin Mosque opened its hospitable doors to visitors. The architecture of the building is truly exclusive! Nevertheless, it has all the features inherent in Islamic architecture: courtyard, domes, minarets.
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According to official figures, at the beginning of 2014, there were 3,190 active mosques in Istanbul.
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The Mosque has two minarets towering to 35m in height. The Mosque’s exterior design is very sleek; a metallic and grey look gives it a modern vibe of contemporary architecture. Aluminum composite covers the dome following a “shell dome” style structure that leaves the Mosque glowing with blue light at night. The dome is based on a square structure, a geometric shape with all sides equal in perfect harmony with how everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah swt.
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Zeynep Fadilioglu, the great-niece of Ibrahim and Semiha Şakir designed the interior of the Şakirin Mosque. She happens to be the first woman to ever design a mosque. Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu is an interior designer for shops, restaurants, and luxury hotels. Zeynep graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in Computer Science. Later on, she continued to study Art, History & Design in London at Inchbald School of Design. She currently teaches at Istanbul Bilgi University in addition to running her design firm, ZF Design. The Şakirin Mosque was her first project with a place of worship. Her attention to detail has been widely praised. When asked, this is what she said about the Mosque, “It might be the color, it might be the texture, it might be the form, but each and every piece I have designed in the Mosque has some connection with tradition.” According to Zeyneb herself, the modesty you feel under the large dome, the peace of mind you feel under the low-hanging chandelier symbolizes that Islam is a religion of serenity and peace. The main worship area comprises a single domed space with lots of natural light. The Mosque has windows on three sides instead of walls. The metalwork is done in such a way that it allows natural light to flood the space leaving the worshipper to feel caressed.
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The Şakirin Mosque differs from other mosques in Istanbul, especially by its interior decoration. Here we see a golden turquoise mihrab, more like a seashell, and a minbar made of acrylic (not wood and stone), but with traditional steps for preaching. The acrylic minbar was created by Tayfun Erdoğmuş. A gracefully curved minbar gives both modern and historic atmospheres to the interior of the Mosque.
The grandeur chandelier is another peculiarity of the Mosque. Designed by Nahide Büyükkaymakçı, the chandelier is in the shape of water drops, symbolizing the reflection of prayer, where Allah’s light would fall on the worshipper like rain. The rings of the chandelier are specially decorated with the 99 names of Allah swt. The Şakirin Mosque symbolizes the past and the present, the connecting bridge of the East and the West, the balance between sleek modernism and traditional ornamentation. Despite its uniqueness, it does have one thing in common with every other place of worship: serenity.
Being the first Mosque designed by a woman, the section for female worshippers is very exceptional. As a general rule, in Islam, women pray behind men or a curtain. In this Mosque, the women’s prayer section is on the first floor. Female worshippers can pray with the dazzling view of the chandelier.
Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu designed the interior of Şakirin Mosque, becoming the first woman to design a mosque.
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Yusuf Tezel A childhood dream to see the Floating City of Venice - Italy fulfilled! Italy May 2014
Nafisa Bakhromovna Snow all year round! Kamchik Dovoni - Uzbekistan March 2021
Vacations End,
We asked our Instagram followers to walk down memory lan Unfortunately, we couldn’t feature all the images, bu
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Aaliya Mia Wonderful experience!
Aaliya Mia Lime Cliffs & Green Hued Waters!
Hassan ll Mosque - Casablanca, Morocco - 2017
Musandam Dibba - UAE April 2017
Vefa Yabanigul Capsule Hotel - Unique Experience! Tokyo - Japan October 2019
Vefa Yabanigul Sushi - Delicious moments! Tokyo - Japan October 2019
Memories Last!
ne and share their memorable throwback vacation pictures. ut we would like to thank everyone who participated!
Mehmet Akkurt Hidden treasure - simple & peaceful! Elburg - Netherlands September 2019
Vefa Yabanigul In awe of Allah’s swt natural wonder! The Canyon is so big, makes you realize how small humans are! Grand Canyon - Arizona - USA August 2018
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GET A TASTE OF THE WORLD RIGHT AT HOME By
@IEatTravelWrite / Zaakirah K.
Have you ever dreamed of watching the lanterns light up the sky in Thailand, going on a safari in Africa, or visiting the castles of Europe? Whatever it may be, if you ever wished to get a taste of the world, you can do so from the comfort of where you are now. You may be wondering, how is that possible? I get it, we are in the middle of a pandemic, and it almost seems as if the world has indeed come to a halt. Flights have been significantly reduced, hotels are used for other purposes, and vacations are taken to stay home. In these unprecedented times, getting a taste of the world can start right from home. It’s simple: start with your palate. Just as different countries worldwide have various sights to offer and experiences, so does a cuisine. While food is a means of survival, it also has ties with cultures and differences. It is a way of experiencing a part of history, and it is a form of edible art. When it comes to good food, many people associate it with healthy eating. However, I see it extending far beyond that. In many places, such as Morocco, families gather and eat from the same plate. This practice is a way for people to bond over the act of eating. It also creates emotion and brings comfort. Think about food from your childhood or one of the best meals you had. Often, that food may have a connection to a place, a person, or a point in time. Another essential aspect to note is that food allows a person to use all five senses: gathering all the ingredients, listening to it sizzle, smelling the aroma, feasting your eyes on the sheer deliciousness, and finally tasting it. Food is power in a way that it can heal, affect one’s mood and have an overall impact on how we feel. Knowing what food works best for you starts with being open to trying new things.
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While you daydream about your next trip, why not take up a challenge to try a new cuisine? Access to recipes from any destination is a Google search away. Depending on where you live, chances are, restaurants are offering authentic cuisine and bringing the world to your backyard. Some of our local favorites include Iraqi, Egyptian, Turkish, Moroccan, and Uyghur cuisines. If you are restricted to ingredients, you can get creative and still get a taste of another country’s food. Last year, I reinvented the national dish of South Africa, Bobotie, and added a twist of Portuguese Piri Piri chicken to the dish to represent a fusion of countries (I have shared the recipe on my blog @ieattravelwrite.com). The dish landed among one of the winning entries for a competition held by one of my favorite restaurants. I was born in Mauritius, lived in Malaysia for a while, and was raised in Canada. When I observe my eating patterns every day, I noticed that my habits tend to drive me away from the foods I was used to when I was a child. Living in a diverse city like Toronto exposes me to thousands of restaurants offering world cuisines. Traveling worldwide has also allowed me to try all sorts of halal food. Wherever I travel, I always like to indulge in seafood the most as it is one of my favorites. A unique dish I came across is turtle meat in Mauritius.
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To be able to travel around the world freely is what I miss the most before the virus. However, finding ways to navigate through has been a way for me to cope. Food tours have become a staple day trip activity. My family and I would pick a nearby city and get takeout from some of the restaurants there. We get one or two items from each place and share them so that everyone can enjoy them. This has become a fun and safe activity in the pandemic that promotes supporting local businesses and having new experiences.
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On one of our most recent tours, we got dumplings from a Chinese restaurant, shawarma from a Middle Eastern restaurant, patties from a Jamaican restaurant, beef stew from a Somalian restaurant, and pastries from a French bakery. Rather than these stops being just a way for us to enjoy and taste the different foods, it has been a way of building excitement and bringing positivity in dark times.
While I genuinely believe that the food we eat has a significant impact on our lives and health overall, I believe that food is a luxury that we are blessed to have and that good food comes as a result of our view of it. Another example of food from around the world being used to shine a positive light is a fundraiser organized in my community. People from different countries have a booth every year at the local masjid, where they showcase food from their culture. The food is sold, and the money made from the sales goes towards donations for the masjid. This is a way of bringing the community together while also embracing one’s differences and love for each other. Some of the pavilions include; Mauritius, Indonesia, Trinidad, Pakistan, among others. The art of experiencing the world through good food comes from seeing food as a universal language.
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Traveler's Trivia
Are you an exp ert traveler ?
Which country will have the shortest fasting time in Ramadan 2021?
Which country will have the longest fasting time in Ramadan 2021?
(Fasting Time: 12 hours 23 minutes)
(Fasting Time: 17 hours 55 minutes)
Which countries are home to the largest number of UNESCO world heritage sites in the World?
What is the most visited country in the world?
1- The city of Ushuaia in Argentina 3- Italy and China, both countries boast 55 world heritage sites each.
2- The city of Murmansk in Russia 4- France
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Q&A Sara Salih People are turning to mindfulness and positivity to find better ways of handling the daily stress of life. The blue skies, clearwater, and sandy beaches on Sara’s Instagram page (sarasalih__) remind us that appreciating Allah’s creation will leave you feeling calmer. Allah swt says, “Verily in the remembrance of
Allah, do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)
Sara Salih has contributed to the past three battuta issues. Her articles have resonated a lot with our readers who are curious to know more about Sara Salih. So, without further ado, let’s get started with our Q&A. Sara, welcome! Our readers are so curious to know more about you. Tell us, who is Sara Salih? My response could turn into a profoundly philosophical answer! I’m a writer, traveler, and advocate for personal development, emotional healing, and mental health. I encourage others to use travel, inner reflection, and anything unique to them for their self-work, spirituality, and therapy. HalalTravels’ motto is, “Traveling starts with an inspiration.” How about you? What inspires you to travel? I have this deep desire to see and step foot on every part of this Earth. I believe Allah swt gave us this world to seek Him and praise Him by any means continuously, and travel happens to be the way I love to do it. Whenever I travel, I feel closer to Him and have a renewed sense of awe and appreciation. I think it happens because seeing His Creation everywhere I go, mainly when I’m far from home, reminds me of how small I am. It gives me perspective and makes me feel better that my troubles back home aren’t as tough as I make them out to be. And anyway, we all want to have fun - that’s all the inspiration you need.
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As a Hijabi traveler yourself, how can Muslims “be distinguished” when they travel?
Your page is very informative, and I see you always attempt to portray social media as an illusion. Please elaborate on this.
I appreciate this question because I believe it’s our duty to be walking examples of our faith wherever we go. A Muslim woman can be easily identified, and I think it’s essential to be indeed different or ‘be distinguished’ as you put it. Not because we’re putting on a front, but because we genuinely care to do right by others, every place we visit, the environment, the animals, and nature. Where others may litter or choose unsustainable options, we should do the opposite. Where there may be hostility, we can be cordial. We owe it to Allah swt to respect every part of the world He has offered us. I meet a lot of people in my travels, and I try to leave a positive imprint wherever I can.
Naturally, we all feel more comfortable sharing the good, fun, and exciting things happening in our lives. Still, it becomes problematic when that’s all we see outside of us. We live and experience our struggles and trials. When we try to ‘escape’ onto social media, we only see how extraordinary and ‘perfect’ everybody else’s lives are. It’s damaging, and more importantly, it’s feeding our minds wrong and untruthful information. So when I share a beautiful photo, I like to tell people if I was feeling miserable or going through something challenging when I took it because that’s the reality of life. There’s always good and bad happening at the same time. It’s never purely sunshine and rainbows - or in the case of my feed - sunshine and beaches.
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You thrive in nature. How so? Ah, I love nature! As I mentioned before, being anywhere that reminds me of Allah swt is golden for me. And that’s not to sound like I’m so pious because it probably stems from a personal gain of feeling calm and just more like myself when I’m around water - whether it’s a lake or the sea. It brings quiet to my mind and peace in my heart in a way that I don’t feel anywhere else. It helps me think and reflect on who I am and what I’m doing with my life, and somehow I feel like anything is possible, so I always get my best ideas there.
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How do you travel a lot with a full-time job? Alhamdulilah, a few years ago, I shifted to parttime work to travel more. However, I have many family commitments, which is a full-time job! I would do regular 3-day weekends away, which was great. Still, it left no time to recover from the workweek and the intense weekend adventure. I appreciate more extended getaways now, so I save up my annual leave. It’s easier to take only a few days off and get a week or 10-day trip out of it.
How do you handle your packing? Is there something you can’t travel without? Oh, I’m the worst packer. I’m a blend between the Arab who takes their whole house with them, then acts innocent at baggage check-in, and the Brit who believes she knows how to travel light and has a categorized packing list in her bullet journal. I leave my packing to the night before, and it’s an organized mess. I end up with all the absolute essentials for the trip and one or two things that I would not use! My phone would probably be the only thing I can’t travel without - it’s my planner, navigator, emergency lifeline, and has my inspo photos. Everything else is replaceable.
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Happiness and positivity are indeed an inside job! Do you agree? Why?
Have you started 2021 the right way? What are your travel plans once things start going back to the new “normal”? I’d like to believe I have. I’ve focused on listening to what I want to achieve and work on this year. I’m taking giant leaps, Alhamdulillah. I can’t wait to travel again. I already bought a big travel book which advises where to go and at which time of year. So as soon as restrictions lift, I can take the recommendations accordingly. I want to visit Greece and the Philippines this year, though. They’ve been on my bucket list for a while.
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Absolutely yes. I always thought I understood this, but I wasn’t practicing it. I kept waiting for things in my life to change before I could feel happier. I’d find myself making excuses and telling myself that I still had so many other problems that have to be solved before I could be satisfied. If I carried on like that, I’d have been waiting forever. Happiness is something you can choose to feel at any moment, and I used to think this was unrealistic. How can we ignore our issues and be happy? But it is true. It doesn’t matter what’s going in your life. Be openminded to the possibilities you want to embrace, keep hope alive for the change you want to see. But appreciate this current moment for all that it is teaching you, grow from it, and choose to be happy.
Does traveling make you more attached to Allah swt? Of course! When I travel, I usually experience a special feeling when I walk through crowds or watch people go by in whichever destination I’m exploring - a city, a beach, wherever. I think to myself - wow, Allah swt knows everything about that person’s life, and that person and that person.
He knows their whole story, their pain, their struggles, their joy, yet they’re just in the background of my travels, and I will probably never see them again.
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Every single person is seen and known inside out by Allah swt and can be comforted and protected by Him only. Knowing this and then remembering all that He has given me makes me feel super grateful and attached to Him.
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New York or Rome? Which one is your favorite? You have to decide today! So much pressure! But I would have to say Rome. It has everything - culture, history, beauty, ruins, charm, warm people, and the best pizza and gelato. Plus, I love all things Italian!
I was hoping New York would be the top choice, but you may be right. Pasta, pizza, and gelato will sway anyone’s decision. I appreciate you taking the time to answer our questions. Please feel free to share any final thoughts. Life isn’t always a breeze, and sometimes we go through tough times that we can’t see any way out of. Still, I believe nothing is impossible if we open our minds and hearts to the possibilities and Allah’s swt infinite Power. And I read something recently that I love and have started to practice - “Live your life like something amazing is always just around the corner.” It makes exciting things happen every day!
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Hidden Gems
of
By Inspire_Ihsan (Excellence) My fascination with Turkey continues as I try to uncover hidden gems that deserve to be visited, so let’s venture off the beaten path. Turkey’s mere mention will conjure up images of Istanbul with the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, and the Bosphorus. Sea lovers will rush to mention Antalya, Bodrum, Fethiye, and Marmaris. Cappadocia has garnered a good following with its rock formations, but does this mean this is all Turkey has to offer? The answer is a definite no! I will highlight a few cities located in Turkey’s southeastern region that are definitely worth a visit, but please keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list. There is so much more.
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M
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Located a mere two hours away by plane from Istanbul, Mardin has withstood the test of time. The history of Mardin bears traces of humanity’s history from the Palaeothilic age to our modern times. Mardin has the cultural heritage and archaeological sites to be dubbed an “openair” museum. It is tentatively listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, and no new construction is allowed in the old city of Mardin to maintain its past heritage.
The old streets of Mardin are to this day navigated by donkeys and mules. The streets are made up of so many stairs, and a tour of the ancient city is an excellent way to shed calories. The old town has a network of passageways or tunnels called “Abbaras” which are interconnected and sometimes have houses built on top of them. A sea of beige captures your eye since the buildings are made from limestone mined from nearby quarries.
Artuk, the Artuqid Dynasty founder, was appointed as the governor of Jerusalem in 1086, and his sons continued to govern Jerusalem. In the year 1098, they were expelled from Jerusalem by the Fatimids, and they proceeded to settle and establish themselves in Mardin and the surrounding areas. During their reign, construction was done in pretty much the same way as in Jerusalem, and that is why the streets in the Old City of Mardin are a replica of the streets in Jerusalem. (Efforts are underway by the Artuklu University in Mardin to officially declare Jerusalem and Mardin as sister cities.)
Masha’Allah different religions have co-existed in Mardin for centuries. It is pretty common to hear the Athan and the Church bells ringing, which exhibits Islam’s respect and tolerance of other religions. It is also a melting pot where Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, Yazidis, and many more live together in harmony and with ultimate respect for each other’s way of life.
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Patriarchal family structures are prevalent in Mardin, where the men may get married but still stay with their parents. Keeping strong familial ties is an integral part of family life in Mardin. It is impressive to come across a city that implements the verse
“And fear Allah through whose medium you ask one another (for your rights) and be mindful of your relatives.” (Quran 4:1) The people of Mardin are notorious for their generosity. Locals speak of times when early traders would be allowed to spend the nights free of charge at the various inns because it was too dark for the traders to travel back to their villages or towns. This mercy that has been instilled in the people of Mardin is still right there for people to see and appreciate. Great sites to visit in Mardin are as follows: • Ulu Camii (Grand Mosque) • Zinciriye Medresesi • Kasımiye Medresesi • Mardin Museum • Mardin Castle • The Ancient City of Dara Artisans exhibiting their work made from Silver, Copper, and Tin are challenging to miss once you set foot into the markets of Mardin. Master jewellers in Mardin make exquisite jewellery pieces, often with precious metals, called Telkari. There are few craftsmen who can continue this very old tradition so if you come across Telkari pieces, it is a very good idea to get some as the perfect souvenir from Mardin. The existence of perfumers, spice dealers, and traditional pharmacists makes the markets very interesting. One such conventional pharmacist is Ramzi Mohamed Ismail Sayid Matar, who uses a reference book that traces back its origin to Ibn Baytar, an Andalusian Arab who was a pharmacist, botanist, physician, and scientist. Tourism has revived the soap-making industry of Mardin. These handmade soaps boast a lot of benefits, particularly for the skin and the hair. The most popular are the Almond soap and the Bittim/Menengic soap (made from olive oil and wild pistachio seeds).
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An opportunity presents itself to connect with your inner child when you partake in Mardins’ favorite pastime - kite flying. Kites of different sizes and colors dot the Mardin skyline, and its location on a hill is perfect for this. A trip to Mardin is not complete without a visit to Kimkim to experience Mardin coffee, a mixture of 9 coffee blends, and to try sugar-free pastries called Suryani Coregi - Assyrian buns made with butter, 12 kinds of spices and stuffed with dates.
G a z i a n t e p Gaziantep belongs to UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network recognized in the field of Gastronomy. I like to call it the capital city of delicious food located a mere 90 minutes away from Istanbul by plane. Gaziantep has become a magnet for foodies from all over the world. They not only make the traditional Turkish foods with extra finesse, but they continuously innovate new recipes. It is not surprising to hear about a museum, Emine Gogus Culinary Museum, solely dedicated to present Gaziantep’s food choices.
Gaziantep is famous for its pistachios, olives, peppers, and vineyards, but pistachio takes precedence over everything. So, don’t be surprised to see a dash of pistachio on a lot of the meals. Considering the health benefits of pistachios, I doubt anyone will complain. The odds are we have all heard about Baklava. Still, Gaziantep’s Baklava is so unique; the European Union registers it on its list of “protected designations of origin and geographical indications” under the name “Antep Baklava.” You may ask what makes Gaziantep’s Baklava special? The secret lies in a combination of 3 factors: their pistachios have a unique taste, they use very pure butter,
and their syrup is made with sugar. Imam Cagdas and Celebi Ogullari are notable for representing Gaziantep’s Baklava in the best possible way. To savor the delight of eating Gaziantep’s Baklava, please do follow the etiquette for eating Baklava. It is best to forego the usual knife and fork and delve in by picking it up with two fingers and making sure the wet side touches your palate.
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If you are traveling to Gaziantep in July - November, you are very likely to tumble into rows of colorful vegetables that are being sundried, and pepper takes precedence here. A dash of pepper is to be expected in Gaziantep’s cuisine, even in their ice cream. Agacalti, a drygoods store in Gaziantep, markets these sun-dried veggies and other local produce in a very appealing way. Gaziantep had a very convenient location on the Silk Road trade route, making it very popular with early traders. You will see many inns converted into modern-day bazaars and restaurants like Hisva Han and Anadolu Han. The markets have impressive displays of textiles, copperware, and leather products. A pair of Turkish “Yemeni” shoes have to be added to anyone’s shopping list. Long known for keeping your feet cool in summer and warm in winter, these shoes have been made famous by Hollywood in movies like Troy, Harry Potter, and others. To work up your appetite for very delicious food, visits to the following sites are recommended: • Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum • The Citadel • Gaziantep Archaeological Museum • Gaziantep Mosques • Gaziantep City Museum (they sell local handicrafts here) • Hasan Suzer Ethnography Museum A memorable day excursion by boat to Halfeti from Gaziantep is recommended. Halfeti is a city that was partially submerged in water when a dam was built on the Euphrates. The partially submerged minaret of the Savasan Koy Mosque is a truly iconic image. The Rumkale fortress located nearby is another iconic site to visit.
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A visit in summer to Halfeti gives you a rare experience of naturally grown black roses. The weather, soil, and the ph level of the water in Halfeti have given it exclusive ownership rights to this rare black rose. SubhanAllah! Various attempts were made to grow this black rose in other places, but all were unsuccessful. A trip to Gaziantep is best concluded with some Katmer, a sweet pastry, and a cup of Menengic Pistachio Coffee.
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S a n l i u r f a
Sanliurfa, commonly called Urfa, is nicknamed the City of the Prophets and is less than 2 hours away from Istanbul by plane. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was born in a city called Ur, believed to be modern-day Urfa. Many Muslims and non-Muslims come to visit Urfa since Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is revered by the three monotheistic religions, namely Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. The Cave where Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was born, called Mevlid-i Halil Magarasi, can be accessed by a visit to a mosque with the same name - Mevlid-i Halil Mosque. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) spent his early childhood in this Cave with his mother away from King Nimrod, who like the Pharaoh, was also on the lookout for newborn male babies that could threaten his reign. Closeby is Balikli Gol, the fish pond that is also associated with Prophet Ibrahim (AS). When King Nimrod built a huge bonfire to hurt Prophet Ibrahim (AS), the flames turned into water by Allah’s swt command, and the fire logs changed into carps. Feeding the carps is highly encouraged, but fishing them is prohibited.
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Beautiful gardens surround both the Cave, the Mosque, and the pond. The Rizvaniye Vakfi Mosque is another site close to the fish pond that is worth a visit. The Cave where Prophet Ayub (AS) waited patiently for Allah’s swt mercy and the spring that gushed by Allah’s swt command to heal Prophet Ayub (AS) are also claimed to be in Urfa. There are several worthy sites to visit in Urfa like: • • • • • •
Gobekli Tepe Urfa Castle Ulu Camii Salahaddin Al Ayubi Mosque Sultantepe Archaeology and Mosaic Museum
A 40-minute drive from Urfa takes you to the city of Harran. Harran was an ancient city of Northern Mesopotamia and was also the government’s seat during the reign of the Ummayyad Caliph Marwan ll. The town lost its previous glory thanks to Hulagu Khan’s conquest of 1260. What is left of this city is the kindness of the local people and their beehive houses that represent an engineering marvel. These adobe houses made of mud and clay bricks are constructed without wood and are suitable for the climatic region they are found in. These conical mud houses happen to be very spacious. They are connected through arches with excellent ventilation that allows the retention of warm air in winter and allows for cool air bliss during the summer months. You can visit models of these traditional houses at the Harran Cultural Center. The Great Mosque of Harran and the ruins of the 8th century Islamic University, deemed to be the first of its kind, are worth a visit. Natural sciences, Mathematics, Medicine, Philosophy, and Astronomy, were actively translated and studied at this University. Some notable scholars from Harran are Ibn Taymiyyah, Al Battani, who developed the science of trigonometry, and Thabit Ibn Qurra - a physician, astronomer, and mathematician. Just like its neighboring town of Gaziantep, Urfa is also famous for perfecting another dessert, namely the Kunafa, but Urfa has made a name for itself with its pepper. Urfa Biber, translated as Urfa pepper, has become very popular with chefs all over the world. You can add this chile pepper to anything, and it is bound to elevate it. Urfa peppers change color as they ripen from dark green to bright red to a deep maroon red. After the harvest, the locals sundry them during the day and cover them tightly with plastic or fabric at night to preserve their natural oil. They are then crushed and packed with salt. This spicy, salty, smoky, sweet pepper can be sprinkled on roasted meat, vegetables, pizza and is also used to prepare desserts like chocolate brownies and cookies. Urfa Biber is an antioxidant with very high levels of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Potassium, and Iron. This miracle chile pepper flake is spicy, so no one should hesitate if presented with Ayran, a very refreshing and healthy yogurt drink, to cool down.
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With Urfa Kebabs’ aroma in my mind, I am left to think about the human connections that we establish as we travel. It is effortless to bond with the locals who are excited to explain what makes their city unique, and with food this good, Mardin, Gaziantep, and Sanliurfa will have anyone coming back for more. Till next time Insha’Allah, I have to end with my favorite word, tesekkurler Turkiye, translated as, thank you, Turkey! You never cease to amaze me!
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Spotlight: By Yomi Gerard
LaunchGood.com
In this Spotlight section of battuta, we are introducing amazing Muslim companies to our readers. Muslims are making a difference all over the world by performing incredible feats in different sectors of the economy. In this article, we acknowledge the outstanding contributions and achievements of LaunchGood, the world’s largest Muslim crowdfunding company. Crowdfunding offers the opportunity to fund a project or venture by raising a given amount of money from many people via the Internet. LaunchGood is a crowdfunding platform for charities and entrepreneurs in the Muslim community. Over the last eight years, it has helped fund over 20,000 projects, in 147 countries with nearly 1 million donors. Thanks to its generous supporters, it has successfully reached over $185 million in funding! That is something worth celebrating, and we are happy to highlight their great work in our spotlight section.
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Established in 2013 in Detroit - Michigan, LaunchGood has provided a simple, fast and secure solution for the Muslim community to fundraise for individuals and projects all over the world. From building wells in Africa and schools in Malaysia, to feeding the homeless in America and funding new Muslim products globally, LaunchGood is at the forefront of positive change and has become the go-to crowdfunding platform for the global Muslim community.
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hroughout the years, the Co-founders, Chris Blauvelt, Amany Killawi and Omar Hamid have been recognized by notable individuals and organizations. Chris Blauvelt, Founder and CEO, was the first ever Magic Johnson Social Entrepreneurship Prize winner and proudly represented LaunchGood upon meeting US President Barack Obama. Amany Killawi, Co-founder and COO, was named among Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs of 2020. While Omar Hamid, Co-founder and CDO, was featured in the ISB 40 under 40 and was the youngest member of the 100 Influential Georgia Muslims. Soon after the Christchurch - New Zealand incident, Chris set up a campaign that attracted high-profile individuals like Twitter’s CEO Jack Dorsey and superstar Alyssa Milano. The campaign raised an estimated US $1.62 million. Recently, during the Coronavirus pandemic, Launchgood raised US $500,000 to support 2,100 individuals of different faith backgrounds. Their seamless approach to unifying people for a great cause shows they have truly tapped into the global heartbeat of the ummah.
LaunchGood has grown substantially in the last few years. It is continuously refining its platform, while building new products to better serve the Muslim community. In their first ever Keynote event, launched on April 2, 2021, LaunchGood revealed some amazing product updates. In describing the inspiration behind creating LaunchGood and its intended legacy, Chris Blauvelt quoted a verse from the Quran: “You’re meant to be the best community brought forth for mankind.” (Quran 3:110) “We believed that if we could help tell stories, fund those stories, then we could build an inspired future and live up to those lofty ideals found in the Quran,” said Chris. The keynote highlighted new updates, including an enhanced website, an upgraded Ramadan challenge experience and the launch of a new Zakat tool website – Zakat.com. Amany Killawi believes that “it is not enough to simply make a Muslim version of a solution; we truly have to build a better product.” In the keynote, Amany described how LaunchGood has taken a “1400-year-old beautiful tradition and re-imagined it for the 21st century.”
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Amany Killawi, Co-Founder & COO
“Our community has such a strong legacy in contributing to civilization and design. At LaunchGood, we are on a mission to harness that momentum into -inshaAllah- designing a better future,” said Omar Hamid.
Launchgood has provided a means to change the Muslim community’s narrative and has managed to compete globally in their industry. They are successful because their community of supporters is at the heart of what they do. They offer campaign creators the opportunity to raise funds for causes they are passionate about, allow donors to be part of those life-changing causes and give people a second chance to live through the generous support they receive.
Chris Blauvelt, Co-Founder & CEO
At the end of the keynote presentations, Chris announced that there was one more thing: the introduction of Zero Platform Fees! This allows campaign creators and donors to maximize their impact. Through greater accessibility, worldclass compliance and payment integrations, they have taken their crowdfunding platform to the next level.
In this edition of “battuta” Spotlight, LaunchGood stole our hearts. watching first-ever
Omar Hamid, Co-Founder & CDO
Learn more by LaunchGood’s Keynote video:
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HalalTravels.com’s LATEST Campaign on
LaunchGood.com Scan QR code to join the campaign
HalalTravels’ team members may be located in different parts of the world, but we are united in the vision to do good in this world. Allah says in the Qur’an, ‘And whoever saves one [a life] - it is as if he had saved all of mankind’. (Qur’an, 5:32) ’The Messenger of Allah (saw) was asked, “Which charity is best?” He replied, “[Providing] water”’. [Abu Dawud] This Ramadan, we have chosen to partner with Muslim Aid Australia (MAA) to support their shallow water well projects by installing handpumps. We decided to partner with MAA because they have clearly put a lot of thought in the design of their water wells to make sure no water is wasted. Join us as we try to Insha’Allah provide the gift of clean water to save people’s lives that will be a Sadaqah Jariah for us all.
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Halal Tourism
BUSINESS Developing a Revamped Marketing Strategy for a Post-COVID-19 Changed Reality
By Reem El Shafaki
With growing optimism that the worst of the pandemic is over and destinations cautiously preparing to re-open, one important question comes to mind: should destinations dust off their pre-COVID marketing strategies and prepare to implement them or must they shred them to pieces and start over from scratch?
The short answer is: neither. Destinations will need to adjust their strategies based on some of the lingering impacts of the pandemic. Most have already adjusted down their goals to account for the impact of the pandemic and started adopting new marketing tactics. However, it’s time to considerably revise your destination’s or your company’s marketing strategy.
13-Signals of a Post-COVID-19 ‘New Normal’ By now we’ve all heard the term ‘new normal’; that post-COVID, things won’t go back to the way they were, but that a new reality will emerge. At DinarStandard we produced a brief on the 13-Signals of a PostCOVID-19 ‘New Normal’ for the global travel and tourism industry.
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The trends that stand out the most for the industry include the fact that safety and hygiene will continue to be important criteria in travel and tourism decision-making by consumers; travel innovations, especially with regards to contactless travel, will continue beyond the crisis. Additionally, the spike in demand for domestic travel, due to international travel restrictions as well as health concerns, could continue, which requires destinations to tailor their products and marketing messaging to their local markets. The share of the sustainable travel segment will grow within certain traveler segments as they become more conscious of the impact of travel on the environment and the communities they visit. Travel tech startups are in a better position than other travel startups to raise funding and a few were successful in securing funding during the pandemic. Some tourism businesses have broadened their business models by adding services that are not dependent on tourism. Air Canada for example launched a free at-home streaming service for its loyalty program members, which could eventually become a paid service. In terms of governments, some of the key trends include the prioritization of crisis preparedness; regulation of hygiene and safety certifications, given the multiple safety stamps being offered by international organizations such as the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) as well as the private sector, such as the Hilton and Accor. Incorporating sustainability in tourism plans given that the forced pause in tourism has allowed governments, especially in cities previously suffering from over-tourism, to start planning sustainability regulations to implement once tourism re-opens.
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Halal Tourism
BUSINESS Incorporating Signals of the ‘New Normal’ for Travel & Tourism into your marketing strategy I recently shared the marketing strategy framework below as part of a tourism destination marketing strategy training for tourism specialists in OIC countries. While following the steps to develop your marketing strategy, be sure to incorporate insights from the signals of the post-COVID-19 new normal within your strategy.
1. Vision & Goals Since a vision is more long-term, your destination/company’s vision will likely remain the same; however, make sure to adjust down your goals to account for the drastic decline in travel, otherwise you will have unrealistic goals which cannot be achieved in today’s reality.
2. Situation Analysis Conduct an updated SWOT Analysis to assess your strengths and weaknesses as well as opportunities and threats, in light of our new reality. In addition to the obvious challenges brought along by the pandemic, what are some opportunities and threats?
3. Competitive Landscape Some of the questions to ask include: how are my competitors fairing? What have they done to survive the pandemic? Have any of them pivoted their business or expanded their business models? Re-assess the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors at the tail end of the pandemic. You can simply create a table listing the strengths and weaknesses of each in separate columns. Or you can plot them in a matrix. Below is one example of a competitor mapping.
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4. Target Markets
6. Marketing Mix
Your old target markets might be weary of visiting your destination any time soon, maybe it’s because they have to take a long-haul flight and have safety concerns or because of border imposed restrictions, or economic challenges. In the shorter term, focus instead on low hanging fruit in terms of traveler segments that are more likely to recover faster. Examples of these segments are visiting friends and family (especially if you have a large number of your population that has migrated to other countries). Another segment is those keen to take a ‘workation’. With working remotely becoming the norm, it is worth targeting that segment. We recently advised Indonesia to launch a ‘work from an island campaign’ while focusing on homestays once tourism is ready to open.
Your marketing mix at minimum should address the four P’s: Product, Price, Place (distribution), and Promotion. You will need to revise each of these. What new products do you need to introduce? During the pandemic, many travel companies pivoted or expanded their business offerings. For example, Viator, a tours and activities company, launched a #RoamFromHome project which offers a mixture of over 100 free and paid virtual experiences conducted by tour guides and hosts; while Faroe Islands (located halfway between Iceland and Norway) took their virtual experiences a step further, allowing virtual visitors to control local hosts with a joypad, commanding them to turn, walk, run and jump as they showed beautiful places. Meanwhile, Choice Hotels partnered with colleges to provide temporary student housing. Another example is a sustainable tourism company in Thailand that started selling products made by local villagers.
5. Branding and Positioning While your branding is less likely to require a rehaul, chances are you will need to make adjustments to your positioning. A positioning statement is a brief description of your target market, what you are offering, and how it’s unique from competitors. It’s recommended to have different positioning statements for each of your target segments. For example, for your remote work segment, your positioning statement can be something like this: “For the remote-work warriors who want the freedom to work from a tropical destination and bring along their families, we provide comfortable accommodation with all your connectivity needs, in addition to safe outdoor activities for families in beautiful tropical surroundings.”
7. Monitoring and Controlling As with any plan, you need to establish some KPIs (key performance indicators) so you can assess your success along certain time intervals. These indicators should help you assess how far you’ve achieved your goals (which in turn need to be measurable).
In revising your marketing plan, keep in mind to involve all your stakeholders, which in the case of a destination are the local tourism industry, professional associations, government bodies, the local community and of course, tourists. I hope that by going through this process you’re able to discover some hidden gems of what your destination can offer to newly discovered traveler segments.
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Halal Tourism
NEWS Nippon Express begins a Halal Air Cargo Network in Japan By Muhtar Emirguliyev Nippon Express - is a Japanese global logistics services company based in Tokyo, and its halal air cargo service, which started on March 8, will be linked to the company’s Express Hi-Speed domestic air cargo transport service and serve Japan’s roughly 200,000 Muslims. The company expects that market to expand once borders reopen and the country begins to welcome tourists from around the world. The logistics company has discovered a secondary market for halal-certified goods: an increasing community of customers drawn to halal’s strict sanitation and hygiene enforcement perhaps due to concerns about Covid - 19 - despite not adhering to the religious requirements.
For Nippon Express, this is not the first foray into halal logistics. The company’s subsidiary, PT NEX Logistics Indonesia, recently secured halal certification for a second halal compliant logistics center in Indonesia from the LLPOM-MUI, Indonesia’s governing body for halal certification. In Indonesia, Islam is the most commonly practiced faith, with more than 85 percent of the population identifying as Muslim. Valued at $286.96 billion in 2019, Grand View Research forecasts the halal logistics market to expand by a compounding annual growth rate of 8.4% until 2027. The rise in the spending power of the Muslim communities and the fact that more young people actively practice their religion compared to other major global religions have allowed the Halal category to grow significantly.
Qantas launches mystery flights
Qantas has become synonymous with innovations in the travel sector. First, they began operating “flights to nowhere,” and now they are starting ‘mystery flights’ that take Australians to an unspecified domestic location. To prevent the “border blues,” Australia’s national carrier decided to launch flights to unspecified domestic destinations. This announcement came a day after government authorities reported the country’s worldwide border closure would extend till June. Travelers on mystery flights will be about two hours away from the departure airports in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne.
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The trips will include a day’s worth of activities on the ground, in addition to “low-level scenic flybys of key landmarks en route.” The airline last offered mystery flights in the 1990s, and other airlines in Australia and Germany have run similar excursions before. However, the new option, which includes one trip each in March, April, and May, has a coronavirus twist since Australians are mostly not allowed to leave the country — and have also faced domestic travel bans. According to the airline, the flights also intend to encourage tourism in parts of Australia that have seen a significant drop in visitors since last year.
Saudi Arabia to Allow Immunized Pilgrims to Perform Umrah As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, many Muslims from all around the world have one question in mind: Will I be able to perform Umrah this Ramadan? Alhamdulillah, good news came this week from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The ministry officials shared a statement that only “immunized people” will be granted permits to perform Umrah. Who is considered immunized? Well, if you are in one of the three categories below, you might be able to perform Umrah. However, it is still unclear if this would also apply to the annual Hajj pilgrimage later this year.
People who can perform Umrah Ramadan and after are as follows:
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1) Individuals who have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. 2) Individuals who have received one dose of the vaccine at least 14 days before performing the pilgrimage. 3) Individuals who have previously recovered from the virus. May Allah swt keep those who plan to perform Umrah safe and grant them a healthy return back home insha’Allah.
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