The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) also introduced many new initiatives to promote Islamic tourism in Malaysia, including introducing the Muslim Friendly Accommodation Recognition (MFAR) program. A survey of the design of the environment in homestay services has been carried out in a series of pilot studies to meet the needs and wishes of Muslim lodgers to give recognition to Muslim-friendly accommodation operators in Malaysia, especially in Sabah. The objective of this paper is to review the characteristics of the application of sharia-compliant homestays in terms of design and environmental space including rooms and homestay buildings. In addition, some suggestions for innovative ideas for additional features that need to be applied in terms of design and environmental space are based on a survey of indicators examined in the pilot study. The research design is qualitative and quantitative which uses three main methods namely observation, in-depth interviews, and a checklist (questionnaire). This study is international with collaboration from fellow researchers from Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia. The field data collection process for this study involved 30 homestays in three tourist hotspots in Sabah, namely around Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang, and Semporna, Sabah. A total of 13 indicators involving the characteristics of sharia-compliant accommodation in the aspects of design and environmental space have been researched. The results of the study found that only 5 indicators are suitable to be used in the survey for this study due to other characteristics that do not meet the capacity of homestays that are only single-owned and not of hotel standard. Through the survey carried out by the researchers, there are several innovations of new ideas proposed such as the provision of ablution rooms, prayer rooms, the number of bedrooms and places to store shoes or slippers in the floor plan layout of accommodation facilities offered by homestay operators in Sabah.

This research aimed to explore the experience of using Shariah-compliant homestay accommodation services in Sabah from the perspective of tourists or guests. The analysis results established that tourists or guests who stayed at Shariah-compliant homestays in Sabah encountered a distinct and worthwhile experience compared to conventional accommodation. The experience was about an environment that reflects Islamic values and is free from practices contrary to moral and religious principles. Social and cultural interactions between tourists, guests, and hosts strengthened friendly relations while presenting the same religious values. This research utilised an online questionnaire distribution method to 260 random respondents. This paper researched two vital aspects: travel information for tourists or guests and shared experiences obtaining Shariah-compliant accommodation services, especially in Sabah. The study data verified that, tourists or overnight guests chose homestay accommodation of the single house or bungalow type, with 150 respondents (57.7%) and 200 respondents (76.9%), respectively. They commented that they have experienced staying in accommodation that offers Shariah-compliant services. Furthermore, this study aimed to analyse the accommodation experience of tourists or those staying at Shariah-compliant homestays in Sabah, exploring aspects such as the accommodation environment, hospitality, facilities, and interaction with the host from the user's perspective. Hopefully, this investigation will disclose essential aspects of constructing a memorable and momentous experience for the guests by understanding their needs and expectations as a measuring tool to advance in the future for the development of Shariah-compliant accommodation.

MOTAC turut memperkenalkan banyak inisiatif baru untuk memajukan Pelancongan Islam di Malaysia, termasuk memperkenalkan program Pengiktirafan Penginapan Mesra Muslim (MFAR). Tinjauan terhadap reka bentuk ruang persekitaran dalam perkhidmatan homestay telah dilaksanakan dalam satu siri kajian rintis bagi memenuhi keperluan dan kehendak penginap muslim dalam usaha memberi pengiktirafan kepada para pengusaha penginapan mesra muslim di Malaysia khususnya di Sabah. Objektif kertas kerja ini adalah untuk meninjau ciri-ciri pengaplikasian homestay patuh syariah dalam aspek reka bentuk dan ruang persekitaran meliputi bilik dan juga ruangan bangunan homestay. Selain itu, beberapa cadangan inovasi idea ciri-ciri tambahan yang perlu diaplikasikan dalam aspek reka bentuk dan ruang persekitaran berdasarkan kepada tinjauan indikator yang diteliti dalam kajian rintis. Reka bentuk kajian bersifat kualitatif dan kuantitatif yang menggunakan tiga metod utama iaitu pemerhatian, temubual mendalam dan juga senarai semak (soal selidik). Kajian ini dilaksanakan di (30) buah homestay di tiga kawasan tumpuan pelancong di Sabah iaitu sekitar Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang dan Semporna, Sabah. Sebanyak (13) indikator yang melibatkan ciri-ciri penginapan patuh syariah di dalam aspek reka bentuk dan ruang persekitaran yang telah diteliti. Hasil kajian mendapati bahawa (5) indikator sahaja yang sesuai digunakan dalam tinjauan bagi kajian ini disebabkan oleh ciri-ciri lainnya tidak menepati kapasiti homestay yang hanya bersifat milikan tunggal dan tidak bertaraf hotel. Melalui tinjauan yang dilaksanakan oleh pengkaji, terdapat beberapa inovasi idea baru dicadangkan seperti penyediaan ruang berwudhuk (khas), ruang solat, jumlah bilik tidur dan tempat penyimpanan kasut atau selipar dalam susun atur pelan lantai kemudahan penginapan yang ditawarkan oleh para pengusaha homestay di Sabah.