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Muslim tourism: Religious facilities to be built in Kruger
06:30 10/10/2017 Gabi Zietsman
Cape Town - SANParks has approved the construction of wudhu and salaah facilities in Kruger National Park for Muslim visitors.

According to Radio Islam, Honorary Ranger Farouk Hassen sent a proposal to SANParks in 2009 which has been approved and has also been raising funds in the Muslim community for the construction of the facilities.

Construction has already started in Skukuza, and will soon start in Lower Sabi, Satara, Tshokwane and Afsaal. There are also plans to build these facilities in other national parks.

I hope that it is not true.

It's something very strange with this link

Lisbeth wrote:I hope that it is not true.

Why should it not be true or rather questionable?

nan wrote: It's something very strange with this link

Maybe so Nan, Joep Stevens confirmed!! Even so, let's once again
look at the bigger picture here!!!! In the documents submitted to
the DEA I made mention of a spiritual context KNP.

I had to be awful careful about this comment!!! I say this in fear
that should a meeting at their offices,DEA, happen then any particular
religion could be classed racist again,...

Fact is there is currently a church there serving,..once again brought about
by authority, maybe in pity at the time.

All religions have a rightful place in society. Fact remains insofar that we as
humans with our frivolousness keep burdening KNP!!!

Now in all good faith, let's draw a line somewhere!!

To be quite honest, my personal opinion, I do not care a two bits
about the religious aspects that are looming!!~, I very much care
about this spiritual aspect that the KNP carries,and doubt very much
that it can accommodate all sorts for what that may be worth!!

Just another very common manipulation that would suite the masses!

thank you Erectus

Next they will be building a Jewish Temple and a buddhist whatever it is called

Spiritual need not be religious. It is good for the spirit and that's it. Why should Kruger have anything religious? There should not even be a church. Where is it by the way? If you want to pray, you are free to do so, but without installations of any kind. It is wrong!!

I agree with you Lis.

Muslim tourism: Religious facilities to be built in Kruger

06:30 10/10/2017 Gabi Zietsman

Cape Town - SANParks has approved the construction of wudhu and salaah facilities in Kruger National Park for Muslim visitors.

According to Radio Islam, Honorary Ranger Farouk Hassen sent a proposal to SANParks in 2009 which has been approved and has also been raising funds in the Muslim community for the construction of the facilities.

Construction has already started in Skukuza, and will soon start in Lower Sabi, Satara, Tshokwane and Afsaal. There are also plans to build these facilities in other national parks.

Wudhu is the Islamic procedure for washing before prayers, or salaah, and handling the Qur'an. It normally involves washing not only the hands but many other body parts including the feet.

Hassen told Radio Islam that facilities will be used for the noon, or Zuhr, and afternoon, or Asr, prayers for visitors travelling between camps and day visitors.

Muslim tourism industry

According to the World Halal Tourism Summit which takes place in November, this fast growing tourism sector with travellers from the Gulf Arab states is valued at $15 billion, and is projected to double by 2026.

South Africa ranks 4th as the top destination worldwide for Muslim travellers, according to the Mastercard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index.

Besides praying facilities, the availability of Halaal food options is also an important factor for travelling Muslims, according to a 2015 survey by Muslim Travel Shopping Index. In order to tap into this market, agencies have started initiatives to help educate chefs and restaurants about what Halaal means and how they can widen their appeal to Muslim tourists.

Cape Town Tourism for example has piloted a chef exchange programme where two chefs from Singapore did a workshop with 37 local chefs to learn more about Halaal gourmet cuisine. The Mother City has a large local Muslim community so it would make sense to build on that foundation.

"We have a strong local Muslim community and it is the City of Cape Town’s hope that we can continue to strengthen ties with international Muslim communities and welcome more visitors to our city. As an inclusive and opportunity city, we look forward to working with partners to grow this market to boost our tourism numbers all year round,” says Executive Mayor of Cape Town Patricia de Lille.

I confirmed with one of my schoolkids:

This is entirely self-funded, it seems, and they are quite chuffed. In the past they would use the lawn or what not for praying, or salaah. basically there will now be a prayer building near the main building at Skuks, just a room, which is more private. The Wudhu facility is ideally an adjacent room with taps and seats, depending on the availability of donations. There will not be an Imam required to call the people for prayers etc., and it is simply a practical thing.

I don't think a big deal needs to be made of this, especially as it is self-funded. (Donations have been made here in Nelspruit, for example.)

What irks me is that there is as usual no formal announcement from SANParks regarding a potentially fractious situation, especially given the concerns over new developments lately...

If one were to speculate, it almost seems as if a bit of manufactured outrage would serve to draw attention from more pressing financial issues.

What next.....the way they are going on there won't be any space for the animals