Abu Dhabi has launched an initiative to officially certify the emirate’s hotels for serving kosher meals.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed an agreement with the Emirates Agency for Kosher Certification (EAKC), which is led by Rabbi Levi Duchman, to launch the Abu Dhabi Hotels Kosher Certification Project, giving the hotel industry access to free kosher certification services for one year.

This initiative paves the way for Jewish tourists from various nationalities to visit the emirate following the UAE’s normalisation of relations with Israel.

The certification demands all hotels and food and beverage outlets across the capital designate an area in their kitchens for kosher food preparation, as well as labelling kosher menu items with a clear and recognisable symbol that denotes ‘kosher’.

The UAE capital’s high-profile Emirates Palace has become Abu Dhabi’s first hotel to operate a kosher certified kitchen.

Established earlier this year, the EAKC is the first legal entity responsible for kosher certification activities in UAE. The organisation assesses food products and services to ensure compliance with kosher cuisine standards.

Abu Dhabi’s move to provide and promote kosher cuisine was created with the purpose of offering Jewish visitors and residents with the opportunity to observe reverence and adherence to religious tradition comfortably.

This initiative aligns with the UAE government’s vision to promote religious tolerance and create a welcoming environment for people of all religions and backgrounds.

 

eakc.ae and visitabudhabi.ae