A halal pharmacy was established on a street next to the St. Petersburg Mosque, the biggest one in Europe outside Turkey, in December. A local entrepreneur said there would be more outlet of that kind throughout the city if the concept proves to be successful.
The pharmacy on the Malaya Posadskaya street is reported to sell only Halal medicines which contain no alcohol, pork and animal ingredients produced without obeying Islamic laws.
Female pharmacists are obliged to follow a dress code and wear headscarfs. The cashiers know the Halal standards and can give a piece of advice on the subject. They also speak Tatar, Bashkir and Chechen languages of the biggest Russian Muslim ethnic groups.
An owner of the pharmacy said he could open more shops in case of strong demand.
The pharmacy is not the only Halal establishment in St. Petersburg. A Halal mini-hotel with all the amenities needed to prey and follow other religious rituals was opened this fall.