Malaysia's Terengganu State's First Islamic Hotel Begins Operations On April 15

KUALA TERENGGANU (Terengganu, Malaysia), (Bernama) -- Terengganu's first Islamic hotel, the Hotel Grand Puteri, begins operations on April 15. Developed by the Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (Maidam), the three-star, seven-storey hotel with 180 rooms, will be managed in line with Islamic principles (Syariah compliant). In conjunction with the opening, the hotel is offering specific rooms at below RM100 (US$33). Located beside the Masjid Abidin, the oldest mosque in the state and close to the Pasar Payang or central market, the hotel is bound to be a first choice of Muslim tourists. The opening of the hotel is also timely with the north-eastern state "Visit Terengganu Year 2013" which is underway. Maidam Chief Executive Officer Rozali Salleh said the RM41.7 million (US$13.9 million) hotel will also feature office space, a seminar hall, swimming pool, surau and restaurant. "The number of hotels in Terengganu is still insufficient with the increase in visitors to the state, particularly during the school holidays, and when activities or events of international stature are organised. "Maidam is also confident that the Hotel Grand Puteri will be a catalyst for the creation of job opportunities among children of families eligible for zakat and the poor in Terengganu," he said in his speech at the handing over of the hotel by the Public Works Department (PWD) Tuesday. Apart from the Islamic hotel, Maidam is also building a culinary centre and a number of business premises throughout the state. -- BERNAMA