CAPRICE GOLD PALACE HOTEL ISTANBUL, TURKEY

The First Recipient in The World to Receive The Highest Award of IQS-7 Crescent Standard of ISLAMIC QUALITY STANDARD (IQS),

DR. MAHATHIR Mohamad listened to the explanation from the Chairman of Caprice Group Turkey, Mr. Fadil Akgunduz about the picture of Caprice Gold Palace Hotel Istanbul which was awarded IQS -7 Crescent Standard of Islamic Quality Standard from UCSC  - Universal Crescent Standard, together with Chairman of UCSC, Dato Prof Dr.  Ismail Ibrahim at the International Islamic Tourism Standards Conference at PWTC Kuala Lumpur on 6 December 2012

Source of Above Photo Only: SAIFULIZAM MOHAMAD pengarang@utusan.com.my

 http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Politik/20121207/po_01/UMNO-tebus-maruah-umat-Islam#ixzz2Vt9Ea4w

Mr Fadil Akgunduz receiving the Award from
H.E. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad at the Conference

  
CAPRICE GOLD ISTANBUL is the first hotel in the world to receive  IQS 7-Standard award.  of Islamic Quality Standard (IQS). Not only the hotel is luxury with excellence in quality and standard, but it is also in conformation with Islamic Principles as specified by USCS in the   Islamic Quality Standard (IQS).

A Complete building of Jaemek Mosque with two minarets is also built as part of the Hotel project, in addition to another Jaemak Mosque in the Hotel Building itself. 

CAPRICE GOLD ISTANBUL PROJECT, which will be the Caprice Group second hotel with 1300 room’s with “7-Stars” equivalent luxury will cost about USD 330 million to construct [not including the land cost of 22,000 square meters [4.5 acres]. This Hotel will be  the biggest city hotel in Europe which will start to operate by middle of  2014. 

There are 26 floors in total with 8 floors underground, including three A la Carte and two buffet   restaurants with five Spa Centers that will serve with thirty five swimming pools.As mentioned before,Caprice Gold Project was awarded for  IQS 7-Standard award which is the top level award, for its design.

CAPRICE GOLD is located right in the heart of İstanbul  with important commercial buildings and   residential areas like:  “Mega Centre” and “Istanbul European Side Dried Food Wholesale Market, Forum Istanbul;  the biggest shopping complex in Turkey 

(160.000sqm GLA); IKEA Bayrampasa, and Praktiker Bayrampasa the biggest shopping mall in Turkey; Yorum Istanbul which is  a luxury condominium or apartments residential complex and office blocks. The renovation of the existing metro station has been completed which is 100 m from this station.

IQS - ISLAMIC QUALITY STANDARD FOR HOTEL 

WAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED 

BY  MINISTER OF PRIME MINISTER DEPARTMENT OF MALAYSIA 

HON. DATUK SERI JAMIL KHIR BAHAROM.

On the 28th March 2013, The Minister at Prime Minster Departement Malaysia, Hon.  Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom officially launched the IQS -Islamic Quality Standard For Hotel, at Universiti Teknoloji Mara, Malaysia Shah Alam City, Malaysia. Also present during the event were Dato' Prof Dr. Ismail Ibrahim, Chairman of UCSC - Universal Crescent Standard Center of Malaysia, Assoc. Prof Dr. Nor'ain Othman Deputy Dean [Research and Industry Linkages] UiTM. Prof. Shaya'a Othman was unable to attend, because he was in Istanbul, attending other event. 

.    

The IQS-Islamic Quality Standard for Hotel was the research work of  Prof. Shaya'a Othman and Assoc. Prof. Dr Nor'ain Othman. The research was jointly being supported by Universiti Teknoloji Mara [UiTM] and Universal Crescent Standard Center [UCSC]. This IQS was later adopted by UCSC as a mechanism  to measure the standard of Hotel, which is operating in accordance the Islamic Principles, all over the world.

According to Prof. Shaya'a, in the introduction of the book, that the formulation of this IQS-Islamic Quality Standard For Hotel, while taking the quality of physical facilities provided by the hotel, and the quality of itsservices to the customers, it is also taking into consideration how the hotel conformed to the Islamic principles such as alcoholic beverage is not available or served in the hotel premises, and all foods served are “halal”. 

These basic requirements under Islamic principles are the perquisites for a hotel to be considered under IQS-Islamic Quality Standard. Other factors such as separate summing pools or spa for male and female, Muslims prayer facilities such as prayer rooms, and mosque are important measurements for IQS- Islamic Quality Standard.  

It is hope that IQS-Islamic Quality Standard For Hotel, will become useful guide line for those who wish to become a “Muslim friendly” hotel, and be considered under various classifications from IQS-1 to the very top of IQS-7 under this IQS-Islamic Quality Standard classification.

The Hon Datuk Seri Jamil Khair showing to the Audiences the Book, IQS-Islamic Quality Standard for Hotel,. during the launching of the book,. Also present during the event was Dato' Prof. Dr. Ismail Ibrahim,Chairman of UCSC.

Dato Prof. Dr. Ismail Ibrahim, Chairman of UCSC, in his opening remark at the ceremony stressed the important point that the work of Professor Shaya’a Othman and Associate Professor Dr. Nor’ain Othman in formulating IQS-Islamic Quality Standards for Hotel Industry creates the interest of UCSC, to publish it as well as to adopt it, as a guideline of measuring and classifying levels of quality for hotels, not only in Malaysia but also all over the world.

Mr . Fadil AKGUNDUZ, The Group Chairman of Caprice Group receiving
the Award of IQS - 7 Crescent , the highest award under the
Islamic Quality Standard for Hotel. CAPRICE GOLD PALACE ISTANBUL
is the first hotel in the world to receive such an award.
The award was presented by H.E. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.

Prof Dr. Ismail further mentioned that during The1st International Islamic Tourism Standard Conference (IITSC) which was held at the World Trade Center Kuala Lumpur on 5- December 2012, UCSC adopted the IQS to award hotels who are operating in accordance to Islamic Principles. 

This conference was jointly organized by Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA(UiTM), and Universal Crescent Standard Center  [UCSC] supported by Islamic Tourism Center, Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB]

UCSC awarded CAPRICE GOLD PALACE OF ISTANBUL  the highest award of IQS 7 Crescent Standard, the first in the world to receive this award. Also under the same Caprice Group, the CAPRICE THERMAL PALACE, resort hotel at Didim, Turkey, received IQS 5 Crescent. also the first Resort Hotel in the world to receive such award. The Grand Blue wave Hotel, Shah Alam, Malaysia was awarded the IQS  3 Crescent, and De Palma Ampang, received the IQS 2 Crescent. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr Nor'ain Othman is seen here receiving a Certificate of Appreciation
from Hon. Minister on the excellent work of formulating Islamic Quality Standard for Hotel. Similar Certificate of Appreciation was also given to Prof. Shaya'a Othman in his absence [He was away in Istanbul attending other meeting]. 

IQS - ISLAMIC QUALITY 

STANDARD

FOR HOTEL INDUSTRY 

A Shariah Compliance Standard

Adopted by UCSC - Universal Crescent Standard Center  as measurement
 to awards IQS - 1 Crescent [The Lowest] to IQS - 7 Crescent [The Highest]
to Hotel Industry which are in compliance to Islamic Principles

By Shaya'a OTHMAN, Adviser to UCSC 

The idea of creating Islamic Quality System started in November 2, 2000, when the Chairman of Institute of Islamic Understanding [IKIM] Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji Abduk Hamid said in his speech at the opening of an expert consultation to formulate a quality standard based on the Islamic perspective, at IKIM that “It is hope that a set of Islamic quality standard, which are accepted and later to be adopted by Islamic nations, can be formulated”. After 8 years in 2008, I started my research to formalize this idea, when I was working as a lecturer and Director of Centre of Excellency in Selangor International Islamic University College [KUIS], Malaysia. My interest in this research carried on when I took a new responsibility as Academic Fellow and Executive Director of Centre of Excellency, at Insaniah College University [INSANIAH], Kedah Malaysia, beginning 2010.

The Founder of 1st Islamic Hotel, Mr Fadil AKGUNDUZ, is seen
here discussing with H.E. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad [Former
Prime Minister of Malaysia], about his 2nd on going Luxury Hotel
 in Europe, the CAPRICE GOLD PALACE HOTEL, ISTANBUL

Not realizing it, such practices being carried out or put to practices far back in 1996 by Mr. Fadil Akgunduz, the founder and owner of a hotel known today as Caprice Thermal Caprice, at Didim in Turkey. Ironically I was working too, with the group as Chief Executive Office, Asia, since 1995. Briefly, since its operation in 1996 till to date, no-alcohol is served, and all foods are “halal”. The facilities provided are “Muslims-friendly” such as separate swing pools and spa for male and female, a mosque with full time Imam to manage and lead the congregation daily and Friday prayers. 

 

 CAPRICE THERMAL PALACE Hotel, Turkey is the first Resort Hotel in the world operating since 1996,  operating according to Shariah Compliance.The founder of this Hotel is Mr. Fadil AKGUNDUZ. 

We did research how the west doing their rating for their hotel industry, in Europe, in Australia as well as in United State of America, which are well established and known as “star-rating” in Europe and Australia, and “diamond rating” in United States of America. This “star-rating” was well known worldwide even in Muslim countries. 

The ratings or quality standards do not taken into consideration the sensitivities of Muslim community, in other word, the rating systems or quality standards are not “Muslims friendly”. For examples the availability of alcoholic beverages is part of measuring the quality which is not acceptable to Islam. Thus the "star -rating" and " diamond-rating " are not acceptable by Muslim.

The formulation of this IQS-Islamic Quality Standard For Hotel, while taking the quality of physical facilities provided by the hotel, and the quality of its services to the customers, it is also taking into consideration how the hotel conformed to the Islamic principles such as alcoholic beverage is not available or served in the hotel premises, and all foods served are “halal”. These basic requirements under Islamic principles are the perquisites for a hotel to be considered under IQS-Islamic Quality Standard. Other factors such as separate summing pools or spa for male and female, Muslims prayer facilities such as prayer rooms, and mosque are important measurements for IQS- Islamic Quality Standard.

It is hope that IQS-Islamic Quality Standard For Hotel, will become useful guide line for those who wish to become a “Muslim friendly” hotel, and be considered under various classifications from IQS-1 to the very top of IQS-7 under this IQS-Islamic Quality Standard classification.

On of the largest University in the world with over 
170,000 students in 12 branch campuses and 9 city campuses, 
all over Malaysia, with over 5000 academicians and researchers,
supporting by  70,000 supporting staff

I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the co-writer Associate Professor Nor’ain Othman, Deputy Dean [Research & Industry Linkages], Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknoloji Mara, Malaysia [UiTM] for making this work possible. My appreciation too, to the technical research team, all from the same Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknoloji Mara [UiTM], namely Dr Rozian Mohd Taha, Dr Nor Zuwana Sumarjan, and Dr Salamiah A. Jamal in helping to conduct the research, and making the formulation of this IQS-Islamic Quality Standard. A special thanks to Universal Crescent Standard Center [UCSC] for adopting and propagating this IQS-Islamic Quality Standard as their guidelines in awarding special award to various hotels according to the standard measurement and levels of classification as spell out in this IQS- Islamic Standard Quality for Hotel.

Asso. Prof. Dr. Nor'ain Othman
Deputy Dean
[Research & Industry Linkages]
Universiti Teknologi Mara

It is hope that this IQS- Islamic Quality Standard will become as an alternative evaluation systems to that of “star-ranking” systems which are being used in classifying various class of hotel today. It will become useful guide to Muslim tourists in searching suitable accommodations which are ‘Muslims friendly, according to the levels of quality which are acceptable.

The development of IQS-Islamic Quality Standard should not stop at the hotel Industry only. It should be further developed to include other areas for examples in Islamic Tourism Industry, Islamic Banking and Finance, Islamic Insurances, and Islamic Educational Institutions. I believe UCSC can play an important part to spear ahead this development with the collaboration from universities and relevant government agencies.

IQS - ISLAMIC QUALITY STANDARD FOR HOTEL AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO STAR RATING STANDARD .    

CREATING AN ISLAMIC MANAGEMENT STANDARD IN MANAGEMENT OF HOTEL.

 

 Islamic Compliance Standards

Dato’ Prof. Dr. Ismail   Ibrahim                                                      Chairman, Universal Crescent Standard Center [UCSC], MALAYSIA
                                                                                                                   

One of the objectives of Universal Crescent Standard Centre in short UCSC is to create standards which are in conforming with Islamic principles, in various fields, which include but not limited to Islamic Tourism Industry, Islamic Banking and Finance and Islamic Insurance. This move is based on private initiative with the hope to get various supports from universities and government agencies.

IQS-ISLAMIC QUALITY STANDARD FOR HOTEL is being adopted by UCSC as a measuring mechanism to measure the quality of hotels which are in compliance with Islamic Principles.
The Awards are from IQS-1 Crescent [the Lowest] to IQS -7 Crescent [The highest]

The work of Professor Shaya’a Othman and Associate Professor Dr. Nor’ain Othman in formulating IQS-Islamic Quality Standards for Hotel Industry creates the interest of UCSC, to publish it as well as to adopt it, as a guideline of measuring and classifying levels of quality for hotels, not only in Malaysia but also all over the world.

The idea of IQS was also being discussed with H.E.Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad [Former Prime Minister of Malaysia] and also Mr Fadil Akgunduz, the first operator of Islamic Hotel in the world.
From right: Asso. Prof. Dr. Nor'ain, Dato' Prof. Dr. Ismail, Prof. Shaya'a, Mr. Fadil and H.E. Tun Mahathir.

The significant increase in Muslim Tourists arrivals in the world has put a great demand for accommodations which are “Muslim friendly”. If we exclude Muslims pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, Malaysia is the top preference for Muslims tourist followed by Turkey. The easy availability of Halal foods in both countries, make these countries as the preferred destinations of Muslim tourist. It was reported in daily Milliyet of Turkey that the needs for such “Muslim friendly” accommodations in Turkey increased to about 200% just over the past 5 years. 

It is timely that a standard of classifying accommodations which are in conformation to Islamic principles should be introduced in the markets. The formulation of IQS-Islamic Quality Standard For Hotel and the publication of this book is a step forward of introducing such Islamic standard in Tourism Industry or Islamic Tourism. It will become an alternative to the present classifications or levels of standards which are widely being practiced by the west known as “star-rating’. We plan to develop more IQS –Islamic Quality Standards, not only in Tourism industry but also in other industries.