First ever Muslim compliant air service starts in Malaysia

KUALA LAMPUR: Malaysia’s first Sharia-compliant airline launched flights on Sunday, following the tenets of Islamic law that ban alcohol, allow only halal foodstuffs, and require women to cover their hair. Rayani Air's first service, from the capital Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi, a popular holiday destination, followed rules the company will adopt on all flights, which will see prayers recited before take-off, a ban on in-flight alcohol, and Muslim air stewardesses obliged to wear the hijab, the Islamic headscarf. Jaafar Zamhari, Rayani Air’s managing director, confirmed that alcohol would be banned on all flights and detailed the strict dress code. "It is compulsory for our Muslim women cabin crew to wear hijab and for non-Muslims to wear a decent uniform”, Mr Zamhari said, according to local news outlet Astro Awani. "We also recite prayers before the departure of each flight, we have a 'no-alcohol' policy, and we provide food and beverages that are halal."(Telegraph)