Following a workshop that received an enthusiastic response in March, the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) again held its Islamic Culture in Tourism Workshop to support the professional growth of tourism employees, according to an MGTO statement yesterday.
The statement noted that the workshop, which was held yesterday, had an increased quota as it received many sign-ups.
The workshop again had the Islamic Association of Macau’s Imam Ding Shaojie as the key speaker, and was attended by hotel staff, tour guides as well as chefs, among others. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes was also present at the event.
An imam leads the salat prayers in a mosque, i.e., the obligatory prayer that Muslims are called to perform five times a day.
An overview of the Islamic faith by Abraham*, the religious rituals, festivals, customs and cultural characteristics of Islam were introduced at the workshop, the statement said, along with the norms and concerns of serving Islamic visitors, and itinerary planning.
The statement said that through giving participants an introduction to the Islamic culture in tourism, MGTO “familiarised tourism employees with the religion of Islam so that their services can better cater to the needs of Islamic visitors”.
*Abraham was a prophet and messenger of God according to Islam, and an ancestor to the Ishmaelite Arabs and Israelites. – Source: Wikipedia
This handout photo taken and provided yesterday by the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) shows Imam of the Islamic Association of Macau, Ding Shaojie (right), interacting with a workshop participant.
