On the 31st of January, The 2nd Yokote Muslim Friendly Seminar was held at Yokote City Cultural Exchange Center Y2 Plaza Open Space (Waiwai Plaza). Yokote is a city located in Akita prefecture. The city is famous for its savory local dishes, including the Yokote style Yakisoba (fried soba noodles cooked with cabbage, meat, topped with an egg). Yokote is one of the top-list destinations to visit during winter, attracts visitors to their Kamakura winter festival in which we can enjoy dinner and socialize with locals inside a Kamakura (Japanese ice Igloos).
Muslim Friendly Seminar
Following the first seminar held in 2018, Yokote city in collaboration with ariTV and Japan Halal TV organized the 2nd Yokote Muslim Friendly Seminar. This event aims to give a better understanding of Muslim and Halal food. This was not the first effort from Yokote city government to promote sustainable interaction between Muslims and locals. The city held several friendly badminton matches with Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country.
In this seminar, Takayuki Sato, CEO of ariTV, Owner of Japan Halal TV (JHTV) together with Yuni Nurul Azzizah, representative Director of JHTV gives a talk about ‘What is Halal?’. The talk covers a wide topic concerning Muslim and Halal dietary, including how to make Muslim friendly environments, a case study of Muslim friendly/halal restaurants in Japan, advice on makings Muslim friendly meals, foods favorable by Muslims, etc. After the talk by JHTV, the event carried on with Panel discussion about Muslim life in Akita Prefecture and Yokote Yakisoba. Three panelists were invited: Noriko Ichishima (Associate Professor, Akita University) / Annie Komatsu (Indonesia resident in Akita City) / Katsunori Miura (Chairman of Yokote Yakisoba Association, co-op).
Welcoming Muslim Visitors
As Japan is preparing for a huge spike of visitors during Tokyo Olympic 2020, so does Yokote city. Yokote preparing itself for Muslims visitors, including athletes, supporters, and tourists. The Yakisoba Association already pursuing a Muslim friendly menu in some of the shops. The efforts were supported by the city government. Entrepreneurs from Yokote city were invited to have a Muslim friendly business. For the past few years, there is a significant increase in the development of Muslim friendly businesses, including food and beverage industries. After the talk and panel discussion, the seminar participant tries Japanese foods prepared by halal ingredients. Yokote Yakisoba ( prepared using halal-certified sauce from ‘Otafuku’, ‘Marukome’ soy meat, and local Yokote noodles), ‘Marukome’ halal-certified miso soup, ‘Kawasho Foods’ Muslim friendly products (curry samosa, sardines samosa, tom yum noodles), ‘Nishikiya’ halal-certified curry, Halal Certified Aburafu (Fried gluten snack) were served and well received by the participant. The seminar was then closed by Indonesian traditional dance performance by Ani Komatsu and flashmob dance ‘Gemu Famire’.
The seminar also gains media attention. You can see the video coverage of the event by ABS news here.
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