First Halal certified restaurant in BiH and the region of Balkan

RESTAURANT “TERASA” – FIRST CERTIFIED HALAL RESTAURANT AT BALKAN

Agency for Halal Quality Certification has organized on August 25th, 2011, ceremony of issuing the first Halal Certificate for services – preparing and serving food in a restaurant and outside restaurant.

Restaurant “Terasa” Ilidža (Sarajevo) is the first halal certified restaurant in BiH and the region of Balkan that has implemented the requirements of Halal standard BAS 1049:2010 and Halal Certification Guide for Service, and its preparation and serving of halal food align to the needs of consumers. The restaurant is categorized in the highest category DIAMOND, implying that all the dishes in the restaurant are halal and prayer room within the restaurant (Masjid) is available.

The official ceremony was attended by representatives of company Interclima doo Sarajevo, Terrace Restaurant, Islamic Community in BiH, the Agency for Halal Quality Certification BiH, embassies, Government and NGO sector, media and other invited guests. For guests is organized iftar, prayer congregation at the masjid and doa reciting at the end of the ceremony.

Halal certificate to director of restaurant “Terasa”, Adisa Spahi?-Muharemagi? formally handed over by Grand Mufti, Dr. Mustafa Ceric, who stressed the importance of eating healthy and additionally controlled food and called on other restaurants and hotels to offer their services to complement the halal consumers.

“Restaurant Terasa long ago has applied regulations related to halal food in their operations, so we decided to get the official certificate as a recognition of what we already doing” – said the director Adisa Spahi?-Muharemagi?.

“According to the Halal Journal magazine study, BiH is ranked at fourth (4) place in survey about Top 10 world destinations in 2011 year for halal tourists. To have an adequate answer towards the needs of domestic and foreign halal tourists it is vital to provide adequate services – halal certified and ranked hotels and restaurants and give them the best way to present the Bosnian hospitality. Restaurant ”Terasa” is an example of how companies align their operations with global trends and consumer demands, and we hope that other hotels and restaurants identify their interest and take a chance that we can provide – to be among the world’s most attractive destinations for halal tourists. The annual growth rate of world halal tourism is such that no one serious can’t be indifferent and lose the opportunity to be part of a successful business story”- said Amir Sakic, Director of the Agency for Halal Quality Certification.

The implementation process of requirements of Halal standards BAS 1049:2010 in restaurant “Terasa” began in July. The certification audit organized in mid-August has ensured that the restaurant “Terasa” has fulfilled all conditions and requirements of Halal standards.

The restaurant is tailored to the business environment: seminar room with a projector, the office for meetings with the superb range of food and nonalcoholic beverages. Also, the restaurant is suitable for organizing various celebrations (birthdays, Iftars, Shariah weddings, etc). Within the restaurant complex the praying room – masjid- is available.

Source: Agency for Halal Quality Certification (www.halal.ba)