The cabin crew of Rayani Air, the first Islamic-compliant airline in Malaysia, posing for a photograph in front of a Boeing 737-400 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2, in Sepang, Malaysia.

Rayani Air, founded by two Hindus Ravi Alagendrran and his wife, Karthiyani Govindan, is an airline based in Langkawi, a resort island in Malaysia, a country where Muslims account for about 60 per cent of the population.

The airline, which takes its name from parts of their first names, will not serve any pork or alcoholic beverages on board and Islamic prayers will be conducted before every flight for the safety of the crew and passengers.

The staff will strictly adhere to the Shariah law starting from the dress code (Hijab for the Muslim women crew members and decent dressing for others) to the food (all meals provided on flight will be 100 per cent halal and alcohol will be forbidden on all flights).

Already there are shariah-friendly carriers operating around the world including Royal Brunei, Saudi Arabian and Iran. Buoyed by their success, UK-based Firnas Airways too is planning to offer similar flights from next year.

Rayani Air, which launched its maiden flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi, recently has set its sights on rapid expansion, with plans to fly to more Malaysian cities - and eventually start operations to Makkah for umrah and hajj pilgrimages.