|
To be able to read the contents of the magazine you must
have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, Otherwise click
on the Acrobat Reader icon bellow:
In this Issue
|
Tourist infrastructure Different civilizations throughout history built monuments that stood for thousands of years, such as fortresses,
minarets, churches, mosques etc, in accordance with their beliefs and conceptions of themselves and the world.
These edifices also celebrated their achievements and their victories.
Tourism, in its present civil conception, was not among the
reasons for the construction of these ancestral monuments.
Indeed, tourism is a new concept. I can say with confidence that
the Eiffel Tower, which is considered a symbol of France, was not
built with tourism in mind. It may have been put there for other
considerations, such as astronomy, radio transmission or for
aesthetic reasons aiming to improve the look of Paris and makes
it more attractive.
Thus, all monuments that have been constructed before the
Second World War had nothing to do with tourism. That means
that the goal was not to attract international tourists, but rather for
national or other ambitions. If the Europeans had decorated their
cities with civil monuments to attract tourists, the Second World
War should not have exploded and destroyed numerous cities
and their inhabitants, not to mention tourism.(6)
|
The most sacred journey on earth Every year millions of Muslims from all around the world head to Mecca to perform the largest ritual of faith known to
mankind; Haj, the most sacred trip on earth. The first Haj was performed in the 9th year of hijra.
British Muslims and Haj
The preparations for Haj start weeks before
the Haj month. Preachers lecture at
mosques, especially to Friday
congregations. They try to raise awareness
about the great reward of Haj and encourage
Muslims to perform this pillar of Islam.
Approximately 20,000 British Muslims travel
to Mecca every year to perform Haj, both
immigrants and Muslims of British origin.
They consider this journey to the holy city and
the performance of these rituals as religious
obligations. Although the majority of travellers
are old people, many young people also
perform Haj. The Foreign Office, with the
corporation of the Muslim Council of Britain
and the Association of British Hujjaj, send a
delegation with the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
It is the official body that helps pilgrims
throughout the Haj. The delegation consists
of a group of volunteers, including doctors
and counsellors. Their aim is raise awareness
of all the difficulties which the pilgrims might(8)
|
Islamic tourism in every corner Towards the end of the 19th century, after a half century of French colonization of Algeria, France feeling its
strength, suddenly decided to undertake a challenging educational experiment. It wanted to show that it was
possible to impose another culture on the indigenous culture and beliefs of the natives through education and with
the temptation of money. What did the French colonizers do? They chose ten Algerian families from different social
classes and offered to provide a complete education (from kindergarten to university) in France, so the girls could
verse themselves in French culture and traditions, far from their own religious beliefs and Islamic influence. The girls
received their education and graduated after ten long years.
Once the education and cultural experience
was over France had to publicise what it had
tried to achieve. A big feast was organized
for high officials, journalists and many
foreign guests to show off the ten girls who
have been franchised. The French thought
they had erased their Algerian identity and
Islamic religion. The officials and the guests
who filled the big room,(10-18)
|
The bewitching bride of North Morocco A point of convergence between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean and between civilizations, the Moroccan
city of Tangiers is rich in history, its geographic location, the beauty of its architecture and the diversity of its cultural
and artistic contributions. The city of Tangier, door of Africa into Europe, is also a tourist city of great interest with its
historic monuments, its beautiful beaches and its vast spaces of greenery that inspired numerous international
artistic works.
Tangiers is a city that inspired ancient
mythology and bewitched artists
throughout history. There is an oral
tradition which explains the origins of the
name: After the deluge, Noah's ark drifted
on. Close to Tangiers, a bird came and
landed on the bridge with a little clay on its
claws. The occupants of the ark exclaimed
then: "Tin jaa" ("The mud came") which
means the land is near: hence the name
Tangiers. However, it is more likely that the
name of the city comes from the Amazigh
language, where the term "Tanja"
designates a marsh.(20-22)
|
is gaining even more cheerful colours "Green Tunisia" is a common description of
Tunisia in the Arab language. Keep in mind,
though, that Tunisia is not merely the green
mountains of Ain Draham and the green of
the olive trees around Souse. Tunisia is like
a rainbow: the blue of Jerba’s sky and of the
windows in Sidi bou Said, the yellow of the
sands in Douz and of the old buildings in
Kairouan, the red of the ripe cactus figs near
Dougga and of the roofs of the houses in
Tabarka, the sunset orange in Hammamet
and the purple of the beautiful traditional
Berber women’s dresses. Tunisia is indeed
a festival of colors and of tourists. Wherever
you go, tourists from various countries are
there. They have-discovered the ancient
Punic and Roman ruins of Carthage and
Dougga, the Arab-Islamic heritage in the
holy city of Kairouan and innumerous wellpreserved
medinas, the old Berber villages
around Medenine, and they enjoy the
magnificent Mediterranean beaches and
the oases of the Sahara.
The Tunisian tourist market faced difficult
times in the last three years,(24-28)
|
civilization in the heart of France Paris, the French capital, distinguishes itself from the other capitals of the world. It is "The City of Lights", "The City of
Museums", "and The City of Grand Palaces "," The City of Beautiful Gardens "and" The City of Culture and Arts". It
is not easy to mention all its qualities and characteristics.
If the French capital is rich in monuments
and in historic inheritances of exceptional
artistic splendor, like the Tower Eiffel, the
Arch of Triumph, Notre Dame, the Palace of
Luxemburg and Bastille square, it also
distinguishes itself from other western
capitals because it welcomes numerous
institutions concerned with Arab-Islamic
culture and civilization.
We can mention among them, the Mosque of
Paris, founded in 1922-26, on the
architectural style of Andalusia. This
mosque has an esplanade with a garden in
the center surrounded by pavilions. In the
middle of the building, one finds a hall
inspired by Alhambra, the most famous
Islamic monument of the Spanish city of
Grenada. This hall is surrounded by arcades
with refined arches. The mosque’s prayer
room attracts the visitor's attention because
of its arches and decorations and the
beauty of its carpets. During the years that
followed, Paris and other French cities,(30-32)
|
in Spain It is useful to speak of the Arab-Islamic
community in Spain in order to acquaint the
reader about its significance and activities.
The community continues to grow, but is
smaller and less influential than similar
communities in France, Germany or England.
This is due to numerous reasons. The political
situation during Franco's time was
characterized by a dictatorial and repressive
regime. The economic situation was fragile.
The church also plays a significant role in the
political system and society. This situation
prevailed until Franco's death in 1975 and the
establishment of a democratic regime, the
opening to the world and the big change that
Spanish society underwent in the acquisition
of knowledge, progress, liberty of thought and
belief. At the time of the Spanish civil war
(1936-1939), Franco leaned on the Moroccans
to fight the Republicans nick named "Los
Rojos" (the reds), that means the Communists.
After his victory, the state ensured the
Moroccans benefited, notably within the army
- the General's personal guards were
composed of Moroccan riders wearing their
traditional uniform. Thus began the emigration
of the Moroccan community towards Spain. It(34-36)
|
A land with mysterious rocks GOREME, Turkey---If space travel isn't in the cards this year, try here. This is probably as close as it gets to the lunar
surface, an "unearthly" setting worthy of anything that Speilberg or Lucas ever brought to the big screen.
We are in central Turkey, in the region
known as Cappadocia where Mother
Nature has created a vast wonderland
of conical rock towers that form a
bizarre skyline. Some look like huge
tents, others like space rockets about to
be launched and still others like
Whirling Dervishes, those mysterious
dancers who spin themselves like tops
for up to an hour and who actually come
from this region.
It took millions of years to form this
spectacular landscape, and it all began
with three volcanoes perched atop the
three highest peaks. Numerous
eruptions as far back as 10 million years
ago covered the area in ashes, which
hardened into a soft, porous rock called
tuff. Over the centuries, high wind and
water eroded the tuff into the freestanding
cones, domes and other
geological freaks of nature that we see
today.(38-40)
|
Islamic splendors There is a rich Ottoman heritage in
Antalya, the principal holiday resort
of the Mediterranean with a majestic
coastline of beaches and rocky
coves where the towering Taurus
Mountains provide a magnificent
backdrop. Since its founding in the
2nd century BC by Attalus II, a king
of Pergamon who named the city
Attaleia after himself, it has had a
continuous history. The Romans,
Byzantines and Seljuks occupied
the city before it came under
Ottoman rule. Today the old quarter
called Kaleici with its narrow,
winding streets and quaint old,
wooden houses next to the city
walls has a number of impressive
Islamic sites while others are
located near the walls of the old city(42)
|
A Regiounal renaissance? The upper-class hotel sector in the
Arab world is dominated by
international management chains:
Sheraton, Hyatt, Accor, Hilton etc.
The Swiss chain Movenpick and
the Canadian chain Four Seasons
are regarded by the Arab public
as "Arab" chains due to their
connection with the Saudi Prince
Waleed bin Talal, who is a major
shareholder in both The Dubai based "Jumeirah International"
manages two first class properties in London,
the Carlton Tower and the Lowndes, beside
its six luxurious properties in Dubai including
the hotels of Burj Al Arab and Emirate
Towers. The "Metropolitan Hotels
International" operates from Dubai two
properties in Beirut and London. The Syrian
"Cham Palaces and Hotels" has expanded into
Jordan with two properties.(44)
|
The smiling face of the renovated past Nicosia’s old town has the smiling face of the renovated past. The tourist information centre was once the watch
tower at Edirne Gate (now Kyrenia Gate) of the Venetian Wall which surrounded the city. A quaint room in the watch
tower with nostalgic photographs from days gone by was the home of the watchman, Horoz Ali, who passed away
aged 146. The British demolished sections of the wall during the colonial period but much still remains.
Nicosia (Lefkosa in Turkish) was once the
ancient kingdom of Ledra. The old town was
surrounded by a star shaped wall of about
three miles in circumference, which was
further fortified by the Venetians in 1567 and
flanked by eleven bastions. The British
brought the eucalyptus trees to help with
drainage. The small old town is rich in
heritage. It is very ‘user-friendly’ and is best
explored on foot. Many of the historic,
architectural treasures were damaged during
the inter communal fighting which led to the
separation of the island into Greek and
Turkish zones in 1974. Today it is the world’s
only divided city but the Turkish-Cypriot
border police are only too happy to let tourists
photograph the check point – as long as their(46-48)
|
of Islam If you ask, local people might tell you that the hijab clad woman in the small town in Finmark and the occasional
sound of the azan from the minaret in one of Oslo's local mosques is an exotic novelty, representing a new kind of
relationship between Norwegians and the rest of the world. If you meet one of the younger of the almost 80,000
Muslims now inhabiting the country, you may hear that Islam has 'a long history in Norway' and that the national
hero Henrik Wergeland (1808-1845 CE), who inaugurated the annual celebration of the signing of the Norwegian
constitution on the 17th of May, died a Muslim.(50)
|
is a media partner Dubai airport has been declared the main patron of the Haj and Umrah Exhibition (Umrah 2005) which is to be
opened under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmad bin Said Al-Maktum, Director of Aviation and head of UAE Group.
This is the first exhibition of its kind hosted by
Dubai between March 6th – 9th 2005 in the
Dubai Exhibition Centre, Hall number 8, with
the participation of the biggest companies
working in the field of Haj and Umrah, from tour
organizers to land and air transport
companies. The participation of Dubai
International Airport as a main patron of the
exhibition is to support the participating Islamic
companies that use Dubai airport through
promoting the services offered by Dubai
airport for Haj and Umrah activities.(52)
|
ideal stop-over or stand alone destination? From a tourism industry point of
view, Brunei is suitable not only as a
gateway to Borneo or a stop-over
destination on the Europe / East
Asia route to or from Australia / New
Zealand, but also for a multi-center
vacation as a destination to
combine with Sabah, Sarawak or
Kalimantan for a complete Borneo
experience, with Bali to which it is
directly linked for a taste of two very
different sides of Asia, with
Singapore for a contrasting mix of
urban and real jungle, or even with
Dubai for a desert and jungle
experience, among other
possibilities.
As a stand alone destination, Brunei can
appeal mostly to those with special interests
related to tropical rainforests or to Malay
culture and history, as well as to those
looking for peaceful, safe and family friendly
vacations, far from the beaten tracks and the
tourist hordes, yet easy to reach and to enjoy,
and with a sufficient mix of nature, culture
and leisure attractions to sustain a leisurely
paced stay of several nights.(54)
|
Arabs optimistic despite Middle East's negative image Despite the negative image of the Middle East caused by recent political developments, Arab and Muslim countries
with stands at this year’s World Travel Market in London were optimistic about the future of tourism. Major plans are
being made to develop the industry and the focus on eco tourism is increasing.According to Hani Shukrian of Jordan’s
Cardo Tours, the major challenge for Arab
countries is to promote their individual
identities and not allow themselves to be
lumped together as part of the troubled,
unsafe Middle East. Two years ago the king
himself made a promotional film about the
country to dispel the image of danger. The
focus is now on adventure and eco tourism
and on the Iranian market. Political
differences between the two countries have
been resolved and at the end of November
this year Iranians will be able to get a visa on
arrival. The Jordanian Tourist Board is hoping
to attract 50,000 Iranians in the first year. It is
also concentrating on the Chinese market –
China is a third of the world, Shukrian pointed
out.(56-58)
|
visits the whole world A long friendship binds the author and the magazine Islamic Tourism with the Indian Ministry of Tourism, the office
of Indian Tourism in Dubai and the regional tourism boards in India. It has been crowned by an invitation to visit
India, to participate in the feasts and the festival of Pune and Bombay, as well as by the visit to the tourist exhibition
of Kerala and the province of Goa.
India is one of the ten big countries in the world
for several reasons. First by the extent of its
territory, the diversity of its climate and the
beauty of its nature: the gigantic chain of the
Himalayas, the hills, the plains, the forests, the
rivers, the cascades and the beaches of golden
sands. Then, by its huge population of nearly
1.1 billion. Also it has a history of more than 5
thousand years and a multiplicity of religions,
beliefs, ethnic groups and languages. All this
gives it a great cultural diversity. It is visible in
the numerous historic monuments such as the
Taj Mahal one of the marvels of the world, as
well as through hundreds of feasts and festivals
that are held throughout the country. This is in
addition to its strong economy and the highly
developed heavy industry and particularly its
advance in the development(60-62)
|
witness of history The city of Aleppo is nicknamed the "blond" because of the color of the stones used in its construction. Situated 355
km to the north of Damascus, it is considered the second city in the country because of its historic importance and
the size of its population. The former Aleppo is one of the most beautiful cities of the Orient and the most attractive,
because of its old historic architectural wealth of 5000 years, as well as the 240 unique buildings in the old city.
That is why UNICEF declared the old city of Aleppo as a universal heritage site. Since ancient times, Aleppo was an
important city that controlled international trade routes. It was the home of several civilizations. In the beginning of
the 4th century of the Higra (10th century) Aleppo had become the center of the famous Hamadania Emirate.(64)
|
Jerusalem souvenirs come to London London celebrated last month the craft and traditional skills of Jerusalem and other Palestinian cities. The
Palestinian Trade Fair, held from November 30th to 5th December brought the souvenirs of Jerusalem to the heart
of Europe together with the local skills of wood carving, shell work, olive oil, dress making, embroidery, carpet
weaving, pottery and other crafts.
The Association of Craft and Souvenirs in East
Jerusalem" has brought to London samples of
these crafts from 450 shops in the Old City and
East Jerusalem, Abdul-Raouf Abu Assab, the
president of the Association told Islamic
Tourism. The association was set up in 1954
and today represents 450 shops.
The Fair, which was held at the Arab-British
Chamber of Commerce, was launched by Afif
Safieh, the Palestinian Ambassador to Britain
and Sir Roger Tomkeys, Chairman of the Arab-
British Chamber of Commerce. Safieh drew
attention to the dire state of the Palestinian
economy and was hopeful the fair would play
a part in reviving it. Sir Roger highlighted the
plight of the Palestinians and produced figures
to show that 60 % of the people of Gaza live(66)
|
Mineral waters, palm groves and holy places in the ... This beautiful oasis, with a dense palm grove and other fruit trees, distinguishes itself by the immense goodness of
its inhabitants, their simplicity and their indescribable generosity. They welcome visitors heartily. It is also
characterized by an abundant supply of mineral water, which made it a place for the treatment of skin diseases. It
has a rich history, with various holy monuments and fortresses that stood the test of time.
The site and the name
Ain Al-Tamr or Chatatah, is situated 67 km to
the southeast of the holy city of Karbala, after
the bifurcation that leads toward the border
with Saudi Arabia, which has been called
"The road of the Hadj". It has been called Ain
Al-Tamr (source of dates), because of the
abundance of dates that made it an
important center for the production and
export of this commodity since ancient times.
History of the city
Ain Al-Tamr is considered one of the old
cities of Iraq. It existed 4000 years before the
advent of Islam. The main reasons for the
disappearance of the old city were the
drainage of the sources of water and the
proliferation of malaria that decimated the
majority of its population.(70-74)
|
New ideas and ventures We are getting many interesting emails from readers. In the limited
space we have here, I will discuss only one of them. It is a detailed suggestion
from Mr. Hassan Saeed, from the Education Development
Centre in the Maldives. He asked us to work as a platform to spread the
Islamic tourism "experience" and to link the concept of Islamic tourism to
that of eco tourism and conservation.
Most important he thinks that we should form "a non governmental Islamic Tourism
Board (ITB)". The board will be concerned with promoting Islamic tourism and formulating
acceptable standards for members: an ITB member should refrain from
selling liquor, pork and other Haram (forbidden by Islamic law) items. All rooms in
the establishment should have a Quruan, prayer mat, Qibla (Mecca) markings and
prayer time table. The member should conform to water conservation and hygiene
standards. The staff should conform to uniform and personal hygiene standards
prescribed by ITB. The establishments that conform to ITB standards will be awarded
an ITB Shield for a limited period. ITB will have the right to periodically inspect
the establishments. It will have local offices in member countries.
It is an idea worth perusing and we already have plans in this direction. Our plans
also include a similar code for restaurants and other services involved in the
tourism sector. We may have more discussions on this point in future issues but we
take this opportunity to thank Mr. Saeed and to encourage others to put forward
new ideas about Islamic Tourism.(2)
|
Back to top Copyright
© A S Shakiry and TCPH Ltd. |
