SINGAPORE: A Singapore-based company has launched a mobile application that enables Muslim foodies and travelers to share halal restaurant discoveries around the world.
The free “HalalTrip” app, available for Apple iOS and Android devices, enables users to take and upload photos of halal dishes, write comments and share them through social media.
Clicking on a photo gives details about the dish as well as the location of the restaurant. The app, which has English and Arabic interfaces, also uses a traveler’s location to display photos of halal dishes served in nearby restaurants.
The term halal is used for food, products and services that comply with Islamic requirements.
“Halal food is one of the biggest drivers of tourism for the Muslim market,” said Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of HalalTrip, part of a Muslim-oriented business group called CrescentRating.
“When traveling, one of the main concerns of Muslims is halal food. What we did is to bring in a social media element into discovering halal food and making it more fun and more intuitive,” he said.
Fazal predicted the Muslim travel market would be worth $192 billion a year globally by 2020, up from $140 billion in 2013.
Singapore firm launches mobile app for halal foodies
Singapore firm launches mobile app for halal foodies
Where We Are Going Today: Circle 3 at Fenna Alawwal
RIYADH: Fenna Alawwal is located in Riyadh’s Al-Safarat neighbourhood, known as the Diplomatic Quarter, and serves as a cultural and creative hub that embraces a diverse community of thinkers and creators.
Connected to the center, Circle 3 by Acoustic is a restaurant and coffee shop that serves a variety of food options and beverages. I tried the lunch menu and coffee during my visit.
The center is spacious, and the interiors have a minimalist touch; the ambient music was soft and soothing. Overall, the vibes at Fenna Alawwal were very relaxing and pleasant.
For SR130 ($35), I ordered the eggplant fattah, the baked lasagna, and coffee after my meal. The cost was understandable, considering the restaurant’s location, and the food was good overall.
One of the services provided by the center was the “short stories” station for visitors interested in reading, along with a mini art gallery in the center’s outdoor area, and a library and bookshop.
Yet, I would have liked Wi-Fi, as the center is an excellent option for people looking for a private, quiet spot in Riyadh to enjoy a cup of coffee and work.
Fenna Alawwal also has its own parking lot, which is an advantage considering the low chances of finding an empty parking space near the center.
