CLMV: SEMINAR ON MUSLIM-FRIENDLY HOSPITALITY LEADERSHIP AWARENESS

Mission Accomplished - Three ISDEV delegates at Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam successfully achieved their mission towards the CLMV research fieldwork. From right, Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri, Dr. Azreen Hamiza and Dr. Shahir Akram.

Alhamdulillah, praise is indeed to Allah SWT as three ISDEV delegates safely arrived at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to continue the second stage of the CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) research fieldwork to gather more information on Leadership in Islamic Service Management. Led by Dr Shahir Akram Hassan, the members of the entourage were Professor Dr Muhammad Syukri Salleh and Dr Azreen Hamiza Abdul Aziz. The research fieldwork started from 16 January until 22 January, 2017. Besides ISDEV, this trip also involved the Education Malaysia office as well as Islamic Tourism Centre in organising a one day seminar on Muslim-Friendly Hospitality Leadership Awareness. ISDEV delegates went straight into their data collection endeavours on their very first day - the interview with the owner of Haji Osman Restaurant.

Services providers - Interview sessions with restaurant owners and travel agencies in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. From top, Haji Osman Restaurant, Bismillah Tours and Travel, Musa Kareem Restaurant and Hjh Basiroh Restaurant.

On the second day, three interviews were conducted, all in the afternoon. First was with the owner of Hjh Basiroh Restaurant, followed by the employees of Bismillah Tours and Travel and finally the owners of Musa Kareem Restaurant, Musa Kareem and his wife Sara. There were so much input received from the services providers during the interview sessions. The next session continue later in the afternoon with visit to selected hotels nearby such as Saigon Pink 2 Hotel, Alagon Western Hotel as well Ngan Ha Hotel. The interviews aim to enhance second stage of the CLMV research fieldwork in promoting knowledge transfer with the intention of expanding the information towards Muslim-Friendly hospitality services.

Hoteliers - ISDEV delegates posed after the interview sessions with representatives of Saigon Pink 2 Hotel and Mr. Anthony, the Manager of Alagon Western Hotel, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

The day continued with the visit to Education Malaysia office for the discussion and preparations for the intended Seminar on Muslim-Friendly Hospitality Leadership Awareness with the Director of Education Malaysia, Cik Normala Baharudin. The Education Malaysia office located at the Consulate General of Malaysia was the venue for the seminar held on 18 January, 2017. In addition, ISDEV delegates also held a discussion with Dr Azrul, Director (Research and Planning) Islamic Tourism Centre, Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, as the co-organiser for the Seminar on Muslim-Friendly Hospitality Leadership Awareness organised by ISDEV under the CLMV Project.

At Education Malaysia Office - The discussion and preparation for the seminar by ISDEV delegates and Education Malaysia.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Below are some more pictures on the delegates' busy schedule throughout this trip:-

Interview with Encik Abdul Rahman (right), who hails from Pulau Pinang, the owner of Restoran Kampung Pandan.

Contribution of KAFA (Kelas Asas Fardhu 'Ain) books to Ustaz Musa Principal of Madrasah An-Nur who is also the Deputy Village Head of Kampong Anwar, District 8 Ho Chi Minh City, accompanied by his son-in-law, Ustaz Ahmad.

Dr Azrul of the Islamic Tourism Centre, Ministry of Culture and Tourism Malaysia conducting the seminar

ISDEV lecturer, Dr Azreen Hamiza's turn to conduct the one-day seminar.

A group photo with the participants of the Muslim-Friendly Hospitality Awareness Seminar.

Sites visits on hospitality service providers and hospitality-related products inHo Chi Minh City