halalfocus.net » Russia

Russia: Doing Islamic business in Russia

salama — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:03:41 +0000

Tatarstan has discovered a new money-making opportunity: providing services to its Muslim community.

The majority of its inhabitants are Muslims. After the suppression of religion during the Soviet Union, Tatarstan is now rediscovering its Islamic roots – and seeking closer ties with other Muslim countries, in the Middle East or South East Asia.

Russia’s first logistics hub for halal products (products that comply with Islamic purity laws) has just opened in Kazan.

The republic’s annual trade turnover with the Islamic world has increased from $93m to $3 Billion in 10 years – nearly a quarter of its annual trade.

BBC Reporter Emma Simpson.

To see full report go to:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11113357

Tatarstan to host Halal Trade Fair KAZANHALAL

salama — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:51:29 +0000

(Source: Arab News, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)By Arab News, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Jun. 20–JEDDAH — The second International Islamic Business and Finance Summit (KAZANSUMMIT 2010) is to take place in Kazan, western Russia, on June 27-29. The conference mainly aims to promote Shariah-compliant economic and financial relations between Russian businessmen and the Muslim world, said the organizers.

Kazan, the capital of the autonomous republic of Tatarstan, is hosting the event for the second time. As many as 500 participants from all over the world are expected to attend the summit.

Key speakers include Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, the UK’s Lord Nazir Ahmed and Lord Mohamed Iltaf Sheikh, Adviser to the OIC secretary-general Nabika Diallo, CEO & General Manager of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (Islamic Development Bank Group) Khaled M. Al-Aboodi and representatives of Islamic financial institutions and government bodies.

The summit’s agenda includes a pre-summit seminar for consulting and legal companies, a roundtable discussion on Muslim philanthropy, a strategic forum and roundtable on innovation policy, an investment forum, an Islamic economics and finance conference, and a range of business meetings and presentations.

An innovation and investment exhibition will be held on the sidelines of the conference for two days. Participants will have an opportunity to present their services and products to Russian and foreign investors, and introduce themselves to business partners and media representatives.

The largest Russian trade fair of Halal products and services, KAZANHALAL 2010, will also take place in conjunction with the summit. As many as 100 Halal manufacturers will exhibit their baked and meat products, clothes, pharmaceuticals, personal hygiene products, equipment and printed materials.

Organizers of the trade fair — Islamic Business and Finance Development Foundation, Linova-MEDIA and Non-Commercial Partnership of Muslim Entrepreneurs “Tarkhan” — believe it is a good platform for businessmen from all over the world to share ideas, learn the peculiarities of foreign Halal markets, and participate in creating a new market segment in Russia that is estimated to be worth millions of dollars.

According to Linar Yakupov, the president of IBFD Foundation and founder of KAZANSUMMIT, the upcoming event is expected to be more fruitful than the first. “We can speak about important results of KAZANSUMMIT 2009, such as initiation of the establishment of the Tatarstan International Investment Company (TIIC). The offices of TIIC and Kazan Halal Hub are to be opened during KAZANSUMMIT 2010. Both projects should become important links in the Russian Halal market infrastructure,” Yakupov said.

The main aims of KAZANSUMMIT 2010 are to identify strategic development prospects of international economic relationship between Russia and Muslim countries, develop ethical business and finance in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and attract direct investments into the Russian regions. The summit also aims to promote Islamic investments as a resource for the innovation-based development of Russia and to introduce the experience of comfortable ethical business projects to the region. Ethical business is actively exercised in many Western and Asian countries, and recognized by Muslims as well as non-Muslims.

Russia: The largest Halal Trade Fair is organized in Russia

salama — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:45:41 +0000

2nd International Islamic Business and Finance Summit (KAZANSUMMIT 2010), an important event for the development of the dialogue between Russian and Muslim World, is to take place at the end of June in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan. The novelty of the summit is the International Trade Fair KAZANHALAL 2010. Starting on June 26, it will be held in conjunction with the summit.

As many as 100 Halal manufacturers will exhibit their baked and meat products, clothes, pharmaceuticals, personal hygiene products, equipment, printed materials, etc. The organizers of the Trade Fair: Islamic Business and Finance Development Foundation, Linova-MEDIA, and Non-Commercial Partnership of Muslim Entrepreneurs “Tarkhan” — believe that all the visitors of the fair will get a clear view of Halal products and services, and realize that there are a lot more Halal products than just meat and sausages.

The truth is that the industry of Sharia-compliant products is diversified. However, because of the underdevelopment of the Russian Halal market, many Halal products are poorly represented in Russia, or not represented at all.

At the Trade Fair all visitors will be able to purchase any show pieces, taste Halal food products, sample eco-friendly Halal cosmetics, and enjoy a good time.

KAZANHALAL 2010 is a good platform for businessmen from all over the world to share their ideas, learn the peculiarities of foreign Halal markets, and participate in creating new market segment in Russia, which is estimated as mush as millions of dollars.

A few days before KAZANSUMMIT 2010

2nd International Islamic Business and Finance Summit (KAZANSUMMIT 2010) will take place in Kazan on June 27-29, 2010. Its mission is to facilitate the promotion of Sharia-compliant economic and financial relationships between business communities of Russia and the Muslim World.

The event is for the second time to take place in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan. As many as 500 participants from all over the world will attend the summit; and among key speakers are: Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the Republic of Tatarstan; Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Chairman of GAPID and former Prime-Minister of Malaysia; Lord Nazir Ahmed and Lord Mohamed Iltaf Sheikh, the Members of the House of Lords; Ambassador Nabika Diallo, the Adviser to H.E. Secretary General of the OIC; Khaled M. Al-Aboodi, CEO & General Manager of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (Islamic Development Bank Group) and government bodies, businessmen, representatives of Islamic financial institutions.

Not only the list of participants is impressive, but the format of the summit is quite new as well. The main events

The summit agenda includes Pre-summit seminar for consulting and legal companies, Round Table on Muslim Philanthropy (June 27); Strategic forum and Round table on innovation policy (June 28); Investment forum, Islamic economics and finance conference, and a range of business meetings and presentations (June 29). Moreover, the Innovation and investment exhibition will be held for the two days. Its participants will have an opportunity to present their services and products to Russian and foreign investors, and introduce themselves to their colleagues, partners, and mass media representatives. The largest Russian Trade Fair of Halal products and services (KAZANHALAL 2010) is to take place in conjunction with the summit as well. All the events of KAZANSUMMIT will be widely covered by numerous mass media agencies.

According to Linar Yakupov, the President of IBFD Foundation and founder of KAZANSUMMIT, the upcoming event is expected to be more fruitful as compared to the first one. «We can speak about important results of KAZANSUMMIT 2009, such as initiation of the establishment of the Tatarstan International Investment Company (TIIC). The offices of TIIC and Kazan Halal Hub are to be opened during KAZANSUMMIT 2010. Both projects should become important links in the Russian Halal market infrastructure», Mr. Yakupov adds.

The main aims of KAZANSUMMIT 2010 is to identify strategic development prospects of international economic relationships between Russia and Muslim countries; to develop ethical business and finance in the CIS, and attract direct investments to Russian regions. Moreover, one of the main objectives of the summit is to promote Islamic investments as a resource for the innovation-based development of Russia, and to study the experience of the regions comfortable for ethical business projects. Ethical business is actively exercised in many Western and Asian countries, and recognized by Muslim as well as non-Muslim population.

RI ambassador opens Moscow “Halal” Expo 2010

salama — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:14:50 +0000

London (ANTARA News) – The Indonesian ambassador to Russia and Muslim leaders opened an exhibition of “halal” (allowed for Muslims) products, the very first of its kind in Russia, the International Moscow Halal Expo 2010, at Crocus Expo, Moscow, from June 7 to 9, 2010.

The 60 participants came from Russia, Belarussia, Germany, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Indonesia, Counsellor at the Indonesian embassy in Moscow Aji Surya told Antara`s London correspondent Monday.

Aji Surya said the exhibition is an answer to the needs of the 25 million Muslims in Russia.

The event not only displays food and drinks, but also cosmetics, household utensils, and souvenirs.

Five Indonesian companies have sent their products.

On the occasion of the expo, a conference was also held on the development of an Islamic financial system in Russia, business meetings, and fashion shows.

By the end of June, a team from the religious ministry will provide supplies and directives on the management of the haj pilgrimage.

Russia: 2nd International Islamic Business and Finance Summit (KAZANSUMMIT 2010)

salama — Tue, 25 May 2010 07:23:35 +0000

The 2nd International Islamic Business and Finance Summit (KAZANSUMMIT 2010) will take place in Kazan, on June 28, 29.

The international event will attract more than 500 representatives of the South-East Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the CIS countries and Russia.

KAZANSUMMIT 2010 has several sections:

Honourable speakers of the Strategic Forum are Rustam Minnikhanov, President of Tatarstan; Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, former Prime-Minister of Malaysia, and chairman of the Global Alliance for Partnership in International Development (GAPID); Lord Nazir Ahmed, member of the House of Lords (Great Britain); Khaled M. Al-Aboodi, CEO and General Manager of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private (The Islamic Development Bank Group) (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).

Investors from member countries of the Islamic Development Bank Group, bankers and businessmen from the Russian Federation, the CIS countries and the whole world will participate in the Investment Forum of KAZANSUMMIT 2010.

The Islamic Economics and Finance Conference of KAZANSUMMIT 2010 will be an international meeting spot for experts, economists and Sharia scientists. It will cover the most important and relevant issues and problems on Islamic finance development.

KAZANSUMMIT 2010 also includes the Investment Exhibition, Halal Industry Forum, business meetings, investment project presentations, and Halal Trade Fair with a motto of ‘Halal as a lifestyle’. The cultural program involves promenades at the Kazanka River, visits to the Kazan Kremlin, various excursions and a trip to Bolghar city, which is an ancient and historical centre of Islam in Tatarstan.

The 1st International Islamic Business and Finance Summit was held last year and became a positive event in the history of the Islamic Finance in Russia. Its main results were the establishment of the Tatarstan International Investment Company, which is starting its operation at present, as well as the development and implementation of the Halal Industrial Park, and popularization of ethical business in Tatarstan and Russia.

Moscow Halal Expo 2010 – Press Release

salama — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:39:07 +0000

Russia Mufties Council and Centre for standardization and Certification “Halal” express to you their respect and present to your attention the following information.

On June 7-9, 2010 in Moscow on the territory of the largest International Exhibition centre of Russia “Crocus Expo” upon the God’s Mercy the First Moscow International Halal Exhibition “Moscow Halal Expo 2010” will take place. The event is organized by Russia Mufties Council.

Among those who are invited to the event as exhibitors are Russian and foreign producers of food products (meat and poultry, diary products, confectionaries, bakery, ingredients, dried fruit, fast food etc.), medical supplies, clothes, perfume and cosmetics, equipment for production, company producing services in the spheres of tourism, finance, banking, investments, publishing and other spheres that do not contradict the norms of Islam. The products and services are admitted to the Exhibition subject to their halal certification or declaration on “halal” completed in a proper way.

Moscow Halal Expo 2010 is the opportunity for the Russian and foreign producers and businessmen to present themselves on an international level, to share experience and to establish useful business contacts. At the same time the Exhibition will become a ground for presentation of investment opportunities of the Muslim Russia.

Along with the exhibition process itself the programme of the event shall include conferences, presentations, discussions and cultural part, divided into three topical days: Day of halal production, Day of Islamic finance and banking and Day of Islamic culture.

At the same period of time at the same pavilion “Arabia Expo”, Second Arabian exhibition in Moscow with the participation of Arabian and Russian companies is planned. The exhibition will consist of national booths of the Arabian countries along with the expositions of the Russian companies and whole regions who are interested to work on Arabian market. During the exhibition the Ninth session of the Russian-Arab business Council will take place.

Taking into account mentioned above Russia Mufties Council addresses to you with the request for your assistance in distributing the information on the event at your website.

The details of the exhibition and the conditions for participants are available at the website: www.halalexpo.org <http://www.halalexpo.org/> or at www.muslimeco.ru <http://www.muslimeco.ru/> . For inquiries you can contact through tel.: 007(495) 681-73-72 (ext. 102), 007(495)688-95-09, fax: 007(495)684-76-79, cell: 007(926)020-68-31 e-mail: moscow.halal@gmail.com

Al-Shams CEO eyes promoting Islamic finance in Russia

salama — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:36:01 +0000

By MUSHTAK PARKER | ARAB NEWS

Published: Mar 7, 2010 11:21 PM

Adalet Djabiev is the “comeback kid” of Russian Islamic financial services. He is also part of the new generation of Russian bankers that have mushroomed in the post Soviet Union era and is passionate about giving the country’s 20 million plus Muslims access to Islamic financial services and products, which he would like the Russian government to institute under financial inclusion policies like in the UK.

Djabiev is one of the founders and CEO of the latest Islamic financial institution to be set up in the Russian Federation, Al-Shams Capital. “Al-Shams Capital is an investment and financial company incorporated in Russia and regulated by the Russian Securities Commission. Al-Shams is by nature and through the company’s articles of memorandum, a Shariah-compliant company, although the Russian Securities Commission does not classify nor register any company as conventional or Islamic,” said Djabiev.

He believes there is significant demand for Islamic financial products and services in the CIS countries and in Eastern Europe, especially retail, investment, Takaful (insurance) and capital markets products such as sukuk.

The company’s license allows it to offer brokerage, dealership and trust management services to clients in Russia. Al-Shams has also applied for a fund management license for mutual funds, which according to Djabiev is more relevant than CIS (collective investment schemes) under Russian legislation and ideal for Muslims to utilize as a saving instrument. This could also be a good platform for Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) from abroad to invest into the Russian equity market.

The shareholder of Al-Shams Capital Russia is Al-Shams Capital Group, which is domiciled in Cyprus and whose shareholders include Djabiev and a number of Russian investors.

Djabiev, who comes across as the archetypal technocrat, has ambitious plans for Al-Shams, which he stressed are an updated version for the plan for Badr-Forte Bank, the first Islamic bank to be established in Russia in the mid-1990s and of which he was president and CEO. The bank was forced to surrender its license about four years ago, after a clash with the Russian Central Bank over some minor reporting anomalies, which Djabiev maintains may have been politically motivated.

“I have spent over 15 years promoting Islamic finance in Russia and will continue to do so in a positive vein. I have nothing to be ashamed of. We had a disagreement with the Russian Central Bank, and Badr Forte Bank was unequivocally supported by the Association of Russian Banks and the bank’s auditor, which is the largest independent auditing company in the federation. I do not recognize any claim from the Russian Central Bank,” he explained.

A decade or so later, the socio-political and economic climate in Russia and attitudes to Islamic finance has changed up to a point. In light of the global financial crisis and the near collapse of casino market capitalism, the public is coming back to the idea that Islamic finance is good for the Russian economy. What is encouraging is that demand from Russian Muslims and those in the other CIS countries for Islamic financial services and investments is increasing year-on-year.

“I have learnt from my mistakes,” claims Djabiev. “I cannot risk funds depending on the whims of Russian bureaucrats. We will diversify and invest where we are welcome. Our Russian registration gives us a good platform to use Moscow as a hub for the CIS and Eastern Europe. As such, Al-Shams Capital Group intends to eventually have a presence in different countries in the region as a whole – both to invest in and to mobilize investments from.”

His vision is to set up a halal Industries Hub for the CIS countries where Al-Shams is welcomed, encompassing Islamic financial services, the halal food industry (both processing and distribution), and halal food outlets throughout these countries. This strategy, he acknowledges, would require strategic alliances with regional and international partners.

In the past in Russia, he maintains, Islamic finance was brought in through the back door. Today, he wants to promote Islamic finance through the front door – upfront and transparent. Indeed, a core feature of Islamic finance is transparency. As such, Al-Shams is ready to talk to regulators and other parties. “Whoever shares our vision, we do believe will be happy to work with us,” he said.

Like other bankers in Russia such as Maxim Osintsev, managing director of the Oil & Gas Department at Sberbank, the largest commercial bank in Russia, he passionately believes that the business proposition for Islamic finance in Russia and even the rest of the CIS is proven. But he also wants to go a step further – to create an Islamic financial and economic environment for Muslims in the CIS so as to give them a choice of having access to Shariah-compliant products and services, as in countries such as Malaysia for instance.

CIS governments, in the wake of the credit crunch and global financial crisis, are starting to recognize the potential of Islamic finance and the need to have such products and services if only because of diversification of sources of funding and the overall health of the economy. Islamic finance has been less affected by the crisis and those few cases where there have been defaults, stressed Djabiev, is not because of the Islamic finance system, but because of mismanagement.

He points out the growing disillusionment amongst many Russians and others in the CIS about market and casino capitalism. The socially responsible investment (SRI) movement in the CIS is nascent but many technocrats are wary of working their lives for “casino stock exchanges” in which the market maker has been the loser and the speculator the winner. Even Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin recently stressed that the government is concerned about the activities of the speculator in Russian capital markets.

In terms of market size, there are between 100 million to 120 million Muslims in the CIS and Eastern Europe. Countries such as Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Kyrghiz Republic have already started to introduce enabling legislation to facilitate Islamic financial products in their jurisdictions, although there is still a long way to go.

In Russia itself, the government recently introduced a law allowing Russian investors to invest abroad in hard currency. However, in terms of introducing tax neutrality and other measures to facilitate Islamic finance in Russia is still some way off. For instance, there is no ad hoc Islamic finance advisory group at the Russian Central Bank, or any taskforce to look at Islamic finance regulation and supervision.

The other problem may be ideological, because many of the key senior officials including the chairman of the Russian Central Bank, Sergey Ignatiev, are diehard converts to monetarism, especially of the Milton Friedman variant, and worship the interest-based economic and financial model. Any developments in the Islamic finance field in the UK and the European Union countries such as France and Luxembourg have been dismissed in the past by some Russian Central Bank officials.

Djabiev believes that the Securities Commission of Russia may be more receptive to facilitating Islamic capital markets products, especially retail Sukuk.

There is also the fear factor because Islamic finance has been erroneously associated with political Islam as opposed to an alternative system of financial management. This has influenced many governments – both Muslim and non-Muslim – about their Islamic finance policy. Moscow may fear that the growth and facilitation of Islamic finance may embolden its own Muslim republics, which could cause political problems in the future.

However, to Djabiev, the market drivers are important. He believes that if Russian banks and business become drivers of interest in Islamic finance, the Russian authorities may be forced to review their policy and consider facilitating it through the relevant legal changes. “As in the UK, the word Islamic does not have to appear in the Russian legislation. They can call it alternative investments or finance. The UK has recognized that for London to be a serious international financial center, it cannot leave out Islamic finance, which is growing at such a rapid rate. Russia as the hub for CIS should also see the important role Islamic finance can play in the CIS economies and as a tool to raise finance and mobilize savings and even to manage monetary policy,” he added.

Djabiev believes that the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) could be an important facilitator for Islamic finance in CIS countries, including Russia. IDB President Ahmad Muhammed Ali in 2007 wrote to Chairman Ignatiev of the Russian Central Bank suggesting cooperation in the field of Islamic finance. After three years, his letter has still not been acknowledged.

Russia’s own representative to the OIC, Kamil Ishakov was a prime mover to foster cooperation between the IDB and the Russian Central Bank. As such many Russians rue the fact that the Russian Central Bank did not have the courtesy to respond to the IDB, and that it is losing out in an industry that is experiencing 20 percent annual growth and where rival countries such as Kazakhstan are gaining the first mover advantage. President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, according to Djabiev, is the most proactive leader in the CIS supporting Islamic finance. The Kazakhstan developments could very well change the landscape for Islamic finance in the CIS.

As far as Al-Shams Capital is concerned, the company is in the process of launching its first Islamic private equity fund for the CIS & Eastern Europe which will invest in regional IFIs, and the halal food industry at the small and medium sized enterprise level.

Al-Shams has also penned a preliminary agreement with CIMB Islamic Bank to supply Shariah advisory services, and has signed a strategic alliance agreement with First International Consultants (IFC) of Malaysia to provide Shariah-compliant product structuring and Takaful consultancy. Some of the partners in IFC include Wan Abdul Rahim Kamil, former CEO of Abrar Discounts Berhad; Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, former managing director of Bank Islam Malaysia; and Fadzli Yusof, former managing director of Syarikat Takaful Malaysia.

Al-Shams has a verbal agreement with CIMB Principal to white label some of their Islamic asset management products to investors in the CIS. However, this is subject to a final agreement. Djabiev acknowledges that human capital resources are a major bottleneck in the CIS both from a Shariah product knowledge and English language point of view. As such, he is looking to established Islamic financial markets in the Middle East and Malaysia to cooperate in this respect. The aim is not only to train Al-Shams staff but also the personnel of other institutions in the CIS such as Kauthar bank, the only Islamic bank in Azerbaijan.

Another important development is the imminent establishment of a non-profit Islamic banking professional body for the CIS. The project has the support of several banks in Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, the Baltic countries and the Kyrghiz Republic, and should be established in the first half of 2010.

Djabiev sees himself as a facilitator and not a competitor to any CIS market. As such, he welcomes cooperation and any alliances in taking Islamic finance to its next stage of development in the CIS.

Prospects for Econonic Cooperation between Russia and Malaysia

hamid — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:58:06 +0000

A working group of Heads of LLC Linova-Trade, IFC Linova and a
non-profit organisation for the Development of Islamic Business and
Finance
(IBFD Fund), recently completed a trip to Malaysia. The purpose of trip was to outline
detailed formats and areas of cooperation with representatives from
Islamic business and finance in South-East Asia.

The issues discussed were the forthcoming summit of the II International
Islamic Business and Finance, held in the city of Kazan on June 27-29
this year, and inviting participants from Malaysia. Organizer KAZANSUMMIT’10 – a
non-profit Foundation for Development of Islamic business and finance -
presented the plan for the event and received approval and support among
the representatives of the financial structures of Malaysia.

‘In my opinion it is a unique format for the summit – strategic investment, and
the Halal Economic Forum – and is the most effective tool for establishing
business and investment contacts, promotion and development of Islamic
finance and business in Russia and CIS countries ‘,
said the representative of the Central Bank of
Malaysia

Separate group talks were held between the leadership of IFC Linova, with Russia’s hand, and a group of international and Malaysian
regulators: IFSB (the Council for the Islamic financial services), the
Central Bank of Malaysia, MIFC (Malaysian international Islamic
financial center), IBFIM and major financial institutions: EXIM Bank,
Kenanga International Investment Bank, RHB Islamic Bank.

The talks focused on preparations for the forthcoming issue of
securities sukuk by Russian issuers on the Stock Exchange of Malaysia, to
attract private investment in projects in Russia, providing
collaborative consulting services to financial institutions wishing to
start Islamic banking products in Russia market.

The next series of negotiations took place on Russia’s initiative
and were aimed at discussing the International Exhibition ‘KAZANHALAL
2010′, to be held in the framework of the II Summit of the International
Islamic Business and Finance.

Attending the talks LLC Linova-Trade (a specialized company in
export-import operations of Halal products and services), MATRADE
(Malaysian state agency for promotion of exports), ICIEC (Islamic
Corporation for Insurance of Investment and Export Finance), HDC
(Corporation for the development of halal industry in Malaysia) and 15
producers who are ready to cooperate on the supply of halal products to
Russia.

After the talks, all parties noted that “this exhibition has
enormous potential and will have a positive impact on the development of
halal industry, not only in Russia but also in the world.”

Special Correspondent.

Halal Restaurants in the centre of Moscow

hamid — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 07:21:07 +0000

Now the heart of Moscow, at the prestigious Strastnoy Boulevard,
has two restaurants with fully halal food and the complete absence of
alcohol.

One of them, the restaurant Kyoto, which opened in 2008, was named the best
Japanese restaurant, and is premium class. Another restaurant ‘Sharm el-Sheikh’ fits into the restaurants for the middle class.

They are owned by a restraunteur with 23 years of experience
Ababukur Kambulatovich Bekmurza. In the past he was general manager of the
restaurant complex in the hotel “Russia”.

According to A. Bekmurzieva: “In Moscow the number of restaurants with halal
cuisine is very small, but with halal cuisine without alcohol – none.
A month ago I decided to make the restaurants “Sharm al-Sheikh” and
“Kyoto” completely halal and no alcohol. I was not afraid to make
this step and possibly lose their benefits. When I am asked whether I had a
business plan, or a feasibility study, I say that was
not considered. I counted only one thing: before God, we must have the
answer, we do not know whether He will forgive us our past sins and ask
God not make them in the future. I personally took this decision.
And I think that was right.

Also, I received very strong support among my staff, and among my friends, and especially among the clients. Many people love to
eat at Kyoto and Sharm al-Sheikh. I gave them a choice. Today you can come
to a beautiful restaurant with good service, with delicious food. To
come to be with your family, children, wives, sisters. No drinking, no
drunken people who show bad behavior. In our restaurant smoking is not welcome. We even wrote about it with humor on the plates at the tables.
The restaurants have healthy food, which now stretches the world.

What is halal to eat? This is slaughtered with the name of God, no carrion. The meat, is drained of the blood,
as the most impurity is in the blood. That is halal which leads to health. Our
restaurant has room for prayers. However, we are inviting not
only Muslims but also for all those seeking sobriety and healthy
lifestyles .“

Talking about how colleagues in the restaurant business reacted to the creation of his restaurants
without alcohol , Ababukur
Bekmurza said: “In Moscow, a lot of restaurants have their own direction,
with their own kitchens, with their quirks. Some believe that it is just a
whim. But I want to give choices to people who do not want to drink and
do not like smoking. Restaurant is like fashion. When someone creates
something, he is not sure that there will be buyers. In our
business, we need the good reviews, people love to create beauty and
comfort, love tasty food. Let the client decide where to go to eat. “

” I am confident that halal restaurants without alcohol are the future
of the restaurant business. A sober and healthy lifestyle – the future
of our country ,” A. Bekmurza concluded with optimism .

KAZANHALAL 2010: 26-30 June 2010, Kazan Russia

salama — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:19:13 +0000

KAZANHALAL 2010

Date and Venue: June 26-30, 2010, National Cultural Centre “Kazan”. Organizer: IBFD Fund

Contact person: Ms. Ruzilya Garaeva. Phone: +7 (843) 567 60 66. E-mail: kazanhalal@ibfd-fund.com

1st International Trade Fair KAZANHALAL 2010 will be held in Kazan, Russia, 27-29 June, 2010 within the framework of the 2nd International Islamic Business and Finance Summit (KAZANSUMMIT 2010). KAZANHALAL 2010 is organized by Nonprofit Fund for the Development of Islamic Business and Finance (IBFD Fund), Halal Committee of the Muslim Religious Board, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Tatarstan, the World Congress of Tatars and Linova-Trade LLC. The fair will take place in the National Cultural Centre “Kazan”.

KAZANHALAL 2010 is an event of enormous importance for both Russian and global business communities, manufacturers of products and services and Russian consumers. Foreign exhibitors will get a unique opportunity to introduce their Halal products and services to the untapped Russian market and at the same time assess export-import potential of Russia.

It is highly expected that KAZANHALAL will become a focal point for the Russian and CIS countries Halal industry. Currently there are more than 20 million Muslims living in Russia and for them KAZANHALAL 2010 will be the most exciting trade exhibition of the year in Russia. Demand for Halal certified products and services is growing strong, with trading opportunities centered in Kazan as the Muslim heart of the Russian Federation.

KAZAN HALAL 2010 PROGRAMME:
- International Exposition of Halal products and services
- Halal Industry Forum
- Cross presentations and new business partners
- Roundtable discussions, one to one meetings

The exposition will take place from June 27 to 29, 2010.

KAZANHALAL 2010 will serve as the best platform for introducing your products to the Russian market.