A Muslim woman wearing a veil sits in front of foreign tourists wearing bikinis on Kuta beach in Bali on June 6, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
Bali’s governor is saying he would not like to further develop the island’s sharia tourism market.
Governor Made Mangku Pastika believes it would not vibe with Hindu-majority Bali.
“I did not agree with it. It will only create problems. Just leave it as it is for now. It has all been going well so far,” Pastika said on Tuesday of Bali’s current tourism situation, as quoted by Antara.
But it’s not just Bali’s governor who is not too keen on sharia tourism. University students and local residents also protested at the Bali Legislative Council (DPRD) on Tuesday.
“Bali is not suited as a sharia tourist destination because it does not fit in with the essence of the locale. Bali has always had its own culture that is recognized worldwide. So there is no need to make any changes,” said Ketut Bagus Arjana, head of the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Student Association, as quoted by Antara.
But on the flip side, some see sharia tourism as an opportunity that just can’t be passed up.
“Bali is fit (for Shariah tourism). So, why not (develop it here). Seven million domestic tourists come to Bali in addition to three million foreign tourists. So, perhaps, there are businessmen here who wish to introduce it in cooperation with the regional government,” Chairman of the Shariah Economic Community (MES) Muliaman D. Hadad recently said.
Hadad emphasized that it’s not just Arab countries that are centers for Islam-based tourism. Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand have developed their sharia tourism markets, with Thailand being recognized as the world’s best Islamic health destination, Hadad explained.
