Islamic airline launches in Malaysia

Malaysia's first Islamic airline has started flying.  Rayania Air offers flights that adhere to strict Islamic customs including prayers, no alcohol, no pork meals and a strict dress code for Muslim female flight attendants.

"We are answering the call from Malaysians, who wanted a Sharia compliant airline," says managing director Jaafar Jamhari.

The inaugural flight on Tuesday was an hour long trip from Kuala Lumpur to the city of Kota Baru.  More than 100 passengers were greeted by Muslim female flight attendants.

"I think it is quite important for me because first of all I'm a Muslim," passenger Che Masnita Atikah says.  "And second Malaysia is an Islamic country so with a Sharia compliant airline, its going to represent more about Malaysia."

The idea for Rayani Air was started by conservative Muslims who believed that two major air disasters involving the national Malaysia Airlines were caused by Allah's wrath.  Muslims account for some 60 percent of the country's 30 million people.