Islamic perspectives in spatial programming and halal lifestyle activities and entertainment in selected cultural-based homestay in Malaysia

Homestay is a sub-section in community based tourism activities. It offers tourist to stay, dine and being entertained by respective community as a member of the family, doing activities and celebrate traditional events together. A homestay can be an alternative home for tourist that need different accommodation style and entertainment experience. Most of the cultural based homestays offer the guests to stay with the owner’s family member without considering the space limitation between owner and guest. Therefore, this study highlighted the issues of space, social activities and interaction from the Islamic built environment criteria and perspectives. The study is conducted at three different villages in three different localities which practicing cultural based activities. Our findings revealed that in term of spatial organization the location of the rooms in the house as well as space limitation for the guest and host in the house were the two main issues that need to be highlighted. In term of social interaction between the guest and the host’s family members, our observation identified that the attire or preservation of awrah between guest and host in the house and separation between genders during activities either indoor or outdoor were the two problems that need to be solved. Lastly the elements that need to be considered are basic facilities for the toilet, adequate space for praying, cleanliness and safety. Although the homestay attracts most of the tourist, there are many homestays that not focused on the Islamic teaching or values. Therefore, the integration of Islamic built environment and Halal lifestyle are in need to harmonised the homestay business or tourist accommodation premises industry with halal ecosystem.