MARHABA is an alien terminology to many. It’s an Arabic (Muslim) word which means “welcome” in English.
Marhaba is now the “talk of the town”, especially on Boracay Island. It’s a Muslim-friendly swimming cove that aims to attract Muslim tourists from around the world.
Being the first in the country, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, therefore, is all praises for this initiative. For the Department of Tourism (DOT), it is “hailable” in all dimensions.
But what caught my attention was the premise that it is about respect for Muslim women and special appreciation for Muslim tradition. Basically, the cove was conceptualized to value Muslim tourists, especially international Muslim women who intend to visit and explore the Philippines, especially Boracay.
The special cove was patterned after Muslim-friendly beaches in Thailand and the Maldives. It can accommodate over a thousand burkini-clad Muslim women.
Burkini is a kind of swimsuit for women that covers the body except the face, hands and feet. Such is designed to embrace modesty while allowing Muslim women to have safe and enjoyable swimming moments.
INCLUSIVE TOURISM
Intentionally, too, DOT said this is part of President Bongbong Marcos’ thrust: sustainable and inclusive tourism promotion. Boracay is again being positioned as one of the best destinations in the word.
In the 7th edition of the Global Muslim Travel Index by financial services company Mastercard and halal travel agency CrescentRating, which was published by www.bworldonline.com on June 7, 2022, the Philippines placed 37th in the Muslim Travellers’ Top Destinations. Leading the list are Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iran, Jordan Bahrain, Singapore, and Uzbekistan.
GREAT RESPECT
In Muslim, respect for women is a primordial concern as it really enjoins Muslims to show respect to all women…especially the mothers.
Their Qur’an is really loud about respect for women as a paramount obligation of each Muslim being. It’s heart-warming to have this kind of endeavor in Boracay. My salutations!/PN
