The people of Taiwan are famed for their welcoming nature, and so it should come as no surprise that the island was the chosen holiday destination for over 180,000 Muslims in 2014, a figure the tourism authority wants to double by 2018. And with that date fast approaching the local government have stepped up their efforts to ensure that visitors of the Muslim faith are made to feel especially welcome in Taiwan.
Taiwan is also ranked #3 in terms of providing a Muslim-friendly travel environment among the world’s non-OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) countries, according to MasterCard-Crescent Rating’s 2019 Global Muslim Travel Index. Among the many features contributing to this high rating, travellers will find Muslim prayer rooms available at many transportation hubs and scenic areas, including Taiwan’s international airports, Taipei Main Station, Kaohsiung Station, Hualien Station, Taiwan High Speed Rail’s Taichung Station, as well as 13 National Scenic and National Highway Service Areas. Muslim visitors to Taiwan will also find many restaurants and other facilities available to cater to their dietary and religious needs. Taiwan continues to strive to create a very friendly travel environment for our Muslim friends.
Taiwan for Muslim Student? Here’s the reason:
- Halal Food check!
Enjoying delicacies are a basic human right in Taiwan. For Muslims, they don’t need to worry about how to find the food that can cater to their dietary. Taiwan currently has at least 324 certified Halal restaurants located all over the country. All of these restaurants have a certificate to prove their Halal status usually displayed at the entrance.
From the capital of Taiwan, Taipei, then to the second and the third biggest city, Kaohsiung and Taichung, there are plenty Halal Restaurants throughout the island.
There are two halal type of certification for restaurants or food outlets in Taiwan, which are:
- ‘Halal Restaurant’ for restaurants or food outlets owned by Muslims
- ‘Muslim Friendly Restaurant’ for restaurants or food outlets owned by non-Muslims.
Some universities, such as National Taiwan University of Science and Technology and Yuanpei University of Medical Technology have set up cafeterias in their campuses serving halal foods for their students.
- Muslim Prayer rooms and Mosques available
Many Universities in Taiwan have the prayer rooms for Muslim such as NCHU, NCUT, NCTU, NCU, NCKU, NTUST, NTOU, YDU, THU, etc. Mosques have also available in many parts of the country such as in Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Tainan, Hsinchu, Douliu, Hualien, Pingtung, etc. The diversity and vibrancy of Taiwan’s Muslim community is on full display at the nation’s seven major mosques, among which Taipei Grand Mosque is the largest and oldest. Built in 1960 and designated a historic site by the city government in 1999, the place of worship is testimony to the inclusiveness of Taiwan society.
Various public facilities such as stations, airports, and tourist destinations in Taiwan already have Mushola or Muslim prayer rooms. So, people in Taiwan are granted the freedom to show their religion, and Muslim student can pray anywhere they want.
- Muslim Community or Organization in Taiwan
Many Muslim community and organization are even formed in Taiwan;
- Chinese Muslim Association (CMA)
- PCI Muhammadiyah Taiwan
- Indonesian Muslim Student Association in Taiwan (FORMMIT)
- Taiwan Muslim Association
- Muslim Students Club (MSC) which available in NCTU
- Muslim Student Association (MSA) which available in NCKU
- NCU Muslim Club
- Islam and Culture Association by Chung Hua University
- International Muslim Student Association (IMSA) by NTUST
So Muslim student should not be afraid for continuing study in Taiwan, because you never walk alone!
source: Taiwan Halal | 台灣清真
Muslim-friendly Taiwan embraces religious diversity – Taiwan Today
Islam in Taiwan – Wikipedia
