When Harab Rasheed walked away from a high-performing corporate career in strategy consulting and digital transformation, he wasn’t simply chasing entrepreneurship—he was stepping into a structural gap that few had attempted to solve at scale.
An engineer and MBA graduate from IIM Bombay, Rasheed spent years working with global firms such as Accenture, PwC, and ITC. During that time, he collaborated with some of the world’s leading brands—including HUL, P&G, L’Oréal, Dabur, Amazon, and Flipkart—helping them build digital commerce systems, optimize operations, and scale efficiently.
Those experiences gave him a front-row seat to how large organizations build infrastructure, leverage technology, and create predictable systems for growth. But they also revealed something else: entire industries still operating without that level of structure.
A Fragmented Industry Serving Millions
One such industry was halal tourism. Despite serving millions of Muslim travelers every year—particularly for Umrah, Hajj, and halal travel experiences—the ecosystem remained fragmented and inefficient.
Pilgrims often faced uncertainty around visas, flights, hotel bookings, and ground arrangements. At the same time, smaller travel agents struggled with operational risks such as unsold inventory, unreliable suppliers, and limited access to structured systems. “The scale of demand is massive,” Rasheed explains. “But the infrastructure supporting it hasn’t evolved at the same pace.”
That realization led him to found Marhaba Haji and Marhaba DMC in November 2023—ventures designed to bring structure, transparency, and technology into halal travel.
Building a Connected Halal Travel Ecosystem
At its core, Marhaba DMC is more than a travel company. It is an infrastructure layer for the halal tourism ecosystem.
The platform integrates multiple components:
- Destination management services
- B2B travel infrastructure for agents
- Technology-driven tools for discovery and booking
This allows tour operators to access flights, hotels, visas, transport, and ground services in a unified and structured manner—while enabling travelers to discover reliable and transparent halal travel experiences. “Our goal is to professionalize halal tourism,” Rasheed says, “and make it easier for both travelers and businesses to operate with confidence.”
Impact at Scale: From Pilgrims to Entrepreneurs
What excites Harab Rasheed most is the scale of impact the business can create. Every year, millions of Muslims undertake journeys of deep spiritual significance. Making those journeys smoother, safer, and more transparent is both a commercial opportunity and a meaningful responsibility.
At the same time, Marhaba is enabling small and mid-sized travel entrepreneurs to grow. By providing access to reliable infrastructure, inventory, and operational support, the platform reduces risk and allows travel agents to scale their businesses more sustainably. “This combination of economic impact and community benefit is what motivates me every day,” Rasheed explains.
Building Trust in an Unpredictable Industry
One of the biggest challenges Harab Rasheed has faced is trust. In an industry where last-minute changes, inconsistencies, and informal processes have historically been common, building credibility is not easy. “Trust is the most important currency in this business,” he says.
Rather than chasing rapid expansion, Rasheed has focused on building structured systems, transparent processes, and long-term partnerships with suppliers and agents. Consistency, he believes, is the only way to overcome skepticism.
Harab Rasheed Early Traction and Recognition
In a relatively short time, Marhaba has begun to establish strong momentum.
- The company has served over 1,000 customers, supporting pilgrims and travelers across Umrah and halal travel journeys
- It was selected as a winner of the Karnataka Elevate Startup Competition 2024
- It was also recognized among the Top 100 Startups of Karnataka
In addition, the company is developing AI-powered tools to improve travel discovery and planning—helping users find the right packages while enabling partners to operate more efficiently.
Scaling the Future of Halal Travel
Harab Rasheed growth strategy is built around three pillars:
- Expanding B2B infrastructure to onboard more travel agents and entrepreneurs
- Strengthening destination management capabilities across key regions like Saudi Arabia and the UAE
- Building technology platforms for seamless discovery, customization, and booking
The long-term vision is ambitious: to become one of the leading platforms powering the global halal tourism ecosystem.
Leadership Rooted in Responsibility
At Marhaba, culture is guided by three core values: integrity, service, and responsibility. Integrity is critical in a business where customers entrust companies with their time, money, and spiritual journeys. Service reflects the deeper purpose of the work—helping people complete meaningful experiences. Responsibility ensures that growth is sustainable and beneficial for partners, employees, and the broader community.
Advice for the Next Generation
Harab Rasheed encourages young Muslim entrepreneurs to look beyond trends and focus on underserved sectors within the Muslim economy. “Some of the biggest opportunities lie in industries like halal travel, Islamic finance, education, and healthcare,” he says.
His advice is grounded in fundamentals: build strong systems, maintain integrity, and think long term. “Patience, discipline, and continuous learning are essential,” he adds.
A Legacy of Institutions, Not Just Companies
Looking ahead, Harab Rasheed hopes his work contributes to building long-lasting institutions within the halal economy. “The Muslim world has enormous potential,” he says. “But many industries still lack organized systems and infrastructure.”
If Marhaba can help empower entrepreneurs, improve travel experiences, and strengthen global connections within the Muslim economy, he considers that a meaningful legacy. More importantly, he hopes it inspires others. “Muslim entrepreneurs should think bigger,” Rasheed says. “Not just about building businesses—but about building systems that serve the world.”
In an industry defined by scale and complexity, Harab Rasheed is not just building a company. He is building the infrastructure for an entire ecosystem.
