Trip ila Dubai e-newsletter- Ramadan in Dubai

     Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi. Photo credit: Hasan Al Jaberi


Fourth Issue is out and focus on the holy month of Ramadan. And if in case you visit Dubai or any Muslim country, what you suppose to know about this Muslim holy month of Ramadan that is observed each year.
UAE is muslim country and Ramadan is observed with all the respect in effect. Be cautious and enjoy your holiday in

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Muslim Prayer Room in Korea Tourism HQ

If you find that it's too far going to Seoul Mosque in Itaewon to perform your prayer, there's another good news! ^^

"The KTO recently opened a prayer room at the Tourism Information Centre on the first basement floor of its headquarters, so that Muslim tourists can visit. The carpeted room has a compass showing the direction of Mecca." by Joo Sung-hee, a KTO manager - sources: Halal Journal

The last time when I visited KTO HQ to make a free call to Malaysia.

How to go to KTO

Address : 40, Cheongyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-180

Hours: 09:00~20:00(365days)

Travel Information: +82-2-1330 (24hours)

Tel: +82-2-7299-497~499

How to get there :

1. Take subway line 1 and go out of Exit 5 of Jonggak Station. Go straight for 3 minutes. (The nearest)

2. Take subway line 2 and go out of Exit 2 of Euljiro 1-ga Station. Go straight for 5 minutes.

3. Take subway line 5 and go out of Exit 5 of Gwanghwamun Station. Go straight to Cheonggyecheon-ro for 6 minutes. KTO is on your right side at the Gwanggyo Intersection.


Source: KNTO

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Halal Food in Korea: Part 2

What is the meaning of Halal?
Halal (Arabic:حلال, Halal); means lawful or legal) is a term designating any object or an action which is permissible to use or engage in, according to Islamic law. It is the opposite of haraam. The term is used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law (Sharia, الشريعة الإسلامية).(Source: Wikipedia)

How to find Halal food in Korea?
When I walked around Seoul, I did not come across restaurants catering Halal food other than in Itaewon. However, most of them are Indian, Turkish, Pakistan and Middle East food. I have tried the turkish kebab twice. Once with Tutie and Hanim while we were in Itaewon and another by myself. Read more here.I'm hoping to find Halal Korean food restaurant in Seoul in future.

Check Muslim food guide in Korea by KNTO in here for the list of Halal restaurants in South Korea and download the pdf here. Check recommended islamic and indian cuisine restaurants in Seoul, here.

Korean foods that I have tried
You must be confused on how I could enjoy Korean food when there was no Halal label donned by the restaurants, right?

Warning: I am not endorsing that any of the food listed below is Halal (meaning with Halal label approved by Korean Islamic Federation) but I had tried my best to avoid food which was impermissible, doubtful or questionable. If you hesitate, unsure and doubtful, don't eat the food.
Bibimbap at Hongik.
Dwenjang jjigae at Kimbap Nara
Tteokpokki at Sindangdong
Tteok - Korean rice cake at Chunyang and Santisuk
Tuna Kimbap from Family Mart
Chungmu Kimbap at Myeongdong
Haemul Buchu Jjeon / buchimgae by Miju's mother
Kalguksu at Busan University
Jjin pang at Jinbu
Hobak Juk at Gwangcheon
Jjampong and yanggeng at Jaesan Village
Chung guk jang at Tongyeong

What are your options?
Middle east food
Indian food
Vegetarian food
Seafood
Permissible Korean food (if you know Hangul)
Bring food from your country

What did I say when I want to order these food?
I can't eat meat - 저는 고기를 못 먹어요 - jo nen gogi rel mommogo yo
I don't eat meat - 저는 고기를 안먹어요 - jo nen gogi rel an mogo yo
Please don't put meat - 고기를 넣지마세요 - gogi rel nohjimase yo
Please don't put ham - 햄을 넣지마세요 - hem el nohjimase yo
I don't drink alcohol -  저는 술 안 마셔요 - jo nen sus an masho yo
I can only eat vegetable and seafood - 야채와 해산물 요리를 먹을 수 있어요 - yache wa hesanmul yori rel mogelsu isso yo
I am a vegetarian - 저는 채식 주의자 예요 - jo nen cheshik juweeja ye yo

If you prefer to stay around Itaewon area where there are mushrooms of HALAL restaurants, you could check into one of these lodgings from Asiarooms.

Anyone interested to set up a Halal restaurant in Korea? Read the guide here.

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Islam in Korea

Assalamualaikum or (السلام عليكم) in arabic means peace be upon you. This is a greeting by Muslim as how Korean greet anyong haseyo (안녕하세요).

When I returned to Malaysia back in December 2009, I was asked by the man sitting next to me in the plane - "Why do you come to Korea? There's no mosque (masjid) in Korea right?" and he continued asking me bunch of questions about Islam and Muslim community in Korea. Among the most ridiculous questions that I received from Koreans while in Korea was "Are you on missionary?"

My hijab (tudung/scarf on my head) give away too much doesn't it? People are scared to approach me because of it and skeptical to accept me as another normal human being just because how Islam has been exposed to the world by the news on local television. This happened much in rural area where I went to for Wwoofing.

I answered solemnly that I wasn't on missionary. Why should I? hehehe...I'm not like those christian missionary in Myeongdong, ok? ^^ I told them I fell in love with Korean language, culture, history, the food and the friendly people. Period.

I know that I will be bombarded with a lot of questions about Islam and stuff but who cares...I love being in Korea!! ^^ Many of my Muslim friends disregard the idea of visiting non-Muslim country like Korea because it is hard to find Halal food. Frankly, we gonna miss out a lot (if only because of Halal food) especially on how beautiful Korea can be and the historical palaces are too awesome not to visit them!!

Arirang has a clip on Jeonju Islamic community here.

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Itaewon

We went to Itaewon to visit the Seoul Mosque. Stopped by at Kebab house for lunch and later Tutie and Hanim bought some souvenirs from Hard Rock Cafe Seoul.


People queuing to park their items in the locker. You can use your T-money to pay for the fee.

Tutie bought tequila glass.

We didn't have time to check the market!

A compulsory picture.

Entrance door to Seoul mosque.

Salam bakery.

We were hungry and for me I haven't had meat for a month but I don't feel like eating much. Am I a vegan now??


Seoul Station. You could ride KTX - bullet train from here.

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Orion Choco-Pie and Yoplait is non-halal

I just want to bring your attention (for Muslim) on this. I know that choco pie is yummy but as updated by K-popped! is isn't HALAL.

Chocopie by Orion and Yogurt by Yoplait is Non - Halal.

If you ever come across these product in Korea, try to find other alternatives.

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Itaewon Alone

I went to Itaewon to visit the Seoul Mosque but I slept there 1 hour instead cause of the fatigue. Hahaha..









I ate at Turkish kebab. This set is 5,900 won.










The roads in Itaewon. Ladies, no high heels and please build your stamina! Hehe..


I have not had the time to check the graffiti at Hangang Park, so here are some from Itaewon

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List of Halal Biscuits in Korea

While surfing the net for places to pray when I travel, I stumbled upon list of Halal biscuits in Daejeon Islamic Center Website.

Some of them are :

And permissible foods for Muslim (Halal) list by Halalhepline.org can be downloaded here.

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Halal Food in Korea: Part 1

Yeayy!! Halal Food in Korea is coming! Well, to some it's easy to find food there but to me upon hearing this news I felt like finding my lost item, at last!! Thank you so much Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). I am starting to imagine, I could eat that bulgogi anyway. Yessss!

KTO had organized a session of 40 travel agents; explaining to them about Islam and Muslim's way of life to attract them to travel to Korea. Hence, Halal lunchbox created and Muslims can enjoy their holiday with no worries of food.

It's pretty wise of them to do that cause muslims will come in flocks to Korea, not only because of Hallyu influence. KTO also recently opened a prayer room at the Tourism Information Center (TIC) on the first basement floor of its headquarters, so that Muslim tourists can visit. There's another reason why I should visit TIC this coming September.


Source: Korea Timesrahnita@koreatimes.co.kr

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What a muslim lady doing in South Korea?

Muslim = no pork, no alcohol but that's like a whole cultural thingy for Korean!! Majority of my Muslim friends will quiver when they heard me saying "I want to eat Tteokbokgi when I'm in Seoul!" Isn't it HALAL? A very sensitive issue where I almost refuse to discuss with my Muslim friends but avoiding it is almost sounds like a sin. Hehehe.

Of course finding a HALAL certificate is almost impossible in a non-Muslim country in Korea but recently Korea has taken amazing effort to boost their tourism to focus on Muslim visitors.

For a proof, come and visit Tour2Korea official website here. They have prepared a special section : Muslim Food Guide.

Other than that, let's just believe that I will survive with instant noodle and serunding! Chance to get slim the natural way. Hahaha... another amazing race in the making.

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