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Halal 'pub' keeps with changing times

Ruhubia Akbor
10/ 4/2008

A SWIFT drink down the local has taken on a new twist – at what is thought to be the country’s first Islamic ‘pub’.

Reminiscent of the 19th century temperance bars, the Halal Inn, on Featherstall Road, is a public house which has most of the trappings of a traditional British hostelry, but is missing what many would think is the key ingredient – alcohol!

Owner Azizur Rahman and business partner Muzahid Khan spotted a gap in the market and came up with the idea to provide an alternative social gathering place for local Muslims.

Mr Khan explained: "It’s a gathering place for people who abide by strict Islamic rulings and don’t like going to places where they serve alcohol.

"What we’ve done is turn the bar into a soft drink and juice bar, with snooker tables, darts, karam boards and nasheeds (Islamic songs) in the background.

"As a non-alcoholic venue it will appeal to Muslims more, but it is essentially for people from all backgrounds."

The building, formerly the Westwood Inn, also includes a restaurant serving daily specials, a prayer room, study room, business lounge and steam room.

The drinking hole with a difference opened its doors in December and has been growing in popularity.

"Halal Inn is a name which most people find intriguing," said Mr Khan. "There was a lot of conversations in the community about the whole concept and a lot of people were wanting to know more about it. We got a lot of word of mouth publicity and have even had visits from people from Birmingham and London wanting information on recreating the brand.

"It’s an alternative to your normal inn – a pub essentially means a place where people procure alcohol, but that’s what we’re trying to get away from.

"Throughout the world there has been a whole movement about the word halal and products that are branded as halal. Muslims are a major consumer group.

"Because of all this going on we thought that in Oldham we should have a brand of our own. It was easy to replace the word Westwood with Halal. It makes perfect sense."

The venue, which opens from 4.30pm to 11.30pm, will also host a monthly Islamic quiz night and has created a snooker and karam league.