SMM. Mazahir, Senior Lecturer in Islamic Studies, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Oluvil, Sri Lanka

Abstract
This study aimed to find the opportunities of Halal tourism that can be utilized so as to promote the tourism industrial sector in Sri Lanka using the descriptive analysis. The data collected for the study were secondary from the various secondary sources such as printed materials, journal, and web based documents. All these data collected were qualitative to achieve the objective of this study. The concept of Halal represents Islamic law and order on the basis of the teachings of the Holy Quran and guidance of the apostle, Prophet Muhammed (PBUM) and it effectively regulates every aspect of life of the Muslims in their day to day activities. In ranking Sri Lanka, the large Muslim population of Sri Lanka meant Halal restaurants were established amply along with a large number of Muslim-owned wayside food outlets. The system of the Crescent-rating guaranteed that Serendib Leisure properties served Muslim guest, tourists and travelers with Halal-oriented goods and services anticipated by them even during the time period of fasting in the holy month of Ramadan. Along with a large presence of the Muslim community in Sri Lanka, many hotels located in Sri Lanka supply the Halal-friendly and Arabian foodstuffs and facilities. Kataragama was a prehistoric sacred town that was of the reputed significance endemic to the Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus in Sri Lanka. Adam’s Peak was another one of multi-religious sites in Sri Lanka with the Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and Christians of Sri Lanka all declaring that the sacred footprint on the peak of this solitude-stood mountain to be of Adam, Buddha, Siva, and St Thomas. The opportunities of Halal tourism sector found but still not recognized by the relevant authorities and policy makers in Sri Lanka were too unique to promote such sector considerably.

Keywords
Halal Tourism, Crescent Rating, Opportunities, Muslims, Arab Countries

Cite this paper
S. Nisthar, SMM. Mazahir, AN ANALYSIS OF OPPORTUNITIES OF HALAL TOURISM INDUSTRIAL SECTOR IN SRI LANKA: A STUDY OF RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES , SCIREA Journal of Agriculture. Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2018 | PP. 1-18.

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