Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/06/22
By: Chiang Chin-yeh and Frances Huang

Washington, June 21 (CNA) Taiwan has made "significant" progress in improving the rights enjoyed by Muslims, according to the 2018 International Religious Freedom report released by the U.S. Department of State on Friday.

The report cited the Chinese-Muslim Association as saying: "(the) authorities were making significant progress in improving rights for Muslims" such as by increasing the number of restaurants and hotels that cater to Muslims' dietary requirements and establishing prayer rooms for them.

"The number of halal-certified restaurants and hotels increased from 120 to 160 during the year," the report said. "Local authorities in Taoyuan, Taichung, Yunlin, Chiayi, and Yilan held Eid al-Fitr commemorations. Authorities built new prayer rooms at train stations, libraries, and tourist destinations."

The report even mentioned the remarks made by Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) when he attended the canonization of Pope Paul VI and six other Catholic figures at St. Peter's Basilica during a trip to the Vatican in October 2018 as an indication of Taiwan's efforts in pushing for religious freedom.    [FULL  STORY]