Malaysia’s first Islamic airline has taken to the skies, offering a service that adheres to strict religious rules. Rayani Air offers onboard
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Malaysia’s first Islamic airline has taken to the skies, offering a service that adheres to strict religious rules.
Rayani Air offers onboard prayers and halal food. Alcohol is banned and there is a dress code for Muslim female flight attendants.
One of its flights, from Kuala Lumpur to the northeastern city of Kota Buru, suffered a two-hour delay on Tuesday.
At the start of the flight, a cabin crew attendant announces: “Ladies and gentlemen the dua (prayer) you are about to hear is a supplication which Prophet Muhammad Salla Allah Alayhi Wa Sallam used to pray upon travelling.”
Conservative Muslims mooted the idea for the airline last year – believing two major disasters involving Malaysia Airlines were caused by Allah’s wrath.
“I think that it’s quite important to have this kind of airline to represent Malaysia, the image of Malaysia as an Islamic country,” said Che Masnita Atikah.
The founders of the airline are Hindu – perhaps highlighting there are no religious boundaries when it comes to getting a new business off the ground.