The United States Department of State has recognized Taiwan for its efforts to create a Muslim-friendly society in the agency’s 2019 International Religious Freedom Report released June 10.
According to the report, the government has taken decisive action to make Taiwan more accommodating for Muslim residents and visitors, including building prayer rooms in public places such as train stations, libraries and tourist attractions. The country is also committed to improving the health care experience for Muslim patients.
Among medical facilities bolstering services is Taipei City-based Taiwan Adventist Hospital, which became the first in the country to obtain halal certification in 2019 with the help of Taipei City Government. The cooperation is part of efforts to boost medical tourism.
According to Salahuddin Ma, secretary general of Chinese Muslim Association in Taipei, the number of certified halal restaurants and Muslim-friendly hotels and resorts continues to grow around 20 percent annually, enhancing the appeal of Taiwan for visitors of the Islamic faith.
The Ministry of Labor was also acknowledged in the report for smoothing the way for Muslim workers to observe important religious holidays. MOL issued a notice to employers in May requesting that they make special arrangements during the month-long fast of Ramadan.
One area with room for advancement was protection for the country’s 258,500 caregivers and domestic service workers under the Labor Standards Act. Such workers are not guaranteed a weekly day off, creating a potential barrier for attending religious services.
MOL vowed in a statement to improve the situation, urging employers to respect immigrant workers’ religious beliefs and allow them to participate in religious activities. (Taiwan Today)
