What It’s Like to Travel As a Muslim Woman in a Hijab

For Journey + Leisure’s column Touring As, we’re speaking to vacationers about what it’s wish to discover the world via their distinctive views. We chatted with Nazma Begum, who paperwork her adventures touring together with her husband and toddler on YouTube as HanaExplores, about what it’s wish to see the world whereas carrying a hijab. Right here’s her story… 

For the final 10 years, I’ve been a hijabi, carrying what individuals name a shawl or hijab. I do it for spiritual causes as I used to be born into Islamic religion as a Muslim. It has change into a part of my day by day routine. No person pressured me to do that—it’s one thing I understood moving into. Carrying a hijab is an enormous dedication, so that you shouldn’t look down on somebody if they do not. A few of my relations do, some don’t. 

I made the choice in the course of the month of Ramadan, after we don’t eat or drink from dawn to sundown. It’s a holy time that acts like a reset for Muslims around the globe. That yr, I believed, I cowl up for prayers, so why can’t I do it on a regular basis? I’m fairly snug carrying a hijab now. There are various totally different types, even silk and different fancy supplies. I get pleasure from styling it as properly.

Rising up, my dad and mom didn’t have the mentality of touring a lot. I used to be born in Bangladesh, and my dad and mom migrated to Singapore after I was about 6 years outdated. We’d take street journeys to Malaysia and go to our hometown in Bangladesh. Whether or not it was cultural or them being protecting, my household wasn’t open to having a lady journey by herself or together with her mates. However as quickly as I graduated from college, I received married and my husband and I began touring. 

Our first large journey was to South Korea—we needed to expertise snow. Sadly, we didn’t see any, however I fell in love with touring. I additionally love out of doors actions, like mountain climbing and tenting.  You are going to get sweaty while you’re mountain climbing in a hijab, but it surely’s doable. When you attain the highest and the wind is blowing, it feels wonderful. 

I’ve a 2-year-old daughter now and I took her on her first flight to Singapore from Vancouver, the place my husband and I moved in 2019, when she was simply 7 weeks outdated. Now we have one-year maternity depart right here in Canada, so I used that to the fullest. She was surprisingly good on the flight and impressed me. I used to be breastfeeding and someway simply knew the best way to soothe her when she was crying.

When she was about 4 months outdated, we went to Japan within the fall to see the colours. It was lovely. We visited Kyoto, Osaka, and the Japanese Alps. My daughter isn’t going to recollect a factor, however I will keep in mind all of this.

One other of my favourite locations is Hawaii. I attempt to go yearly. I can’t swim, however I like to hang around by the seashore. I additionally like snorkeling, and in Hawaii, the fishes come proper as much as the seashore, so that you don’t need to go deep. However I ensure I am nonetheless lined whereas having fun with myself. I put on what’s known as a burkini—it is like leggings and a protracted go well with product of swimsuit materials, and it covers your hair. If I would like to alter and there is not any washroom, I’ve this pop-up tent the place I can go in and alter. My household and I are used to those challenges.

My husband and I attempt to pack in so much when touring. We go from dawn to sundown, and we’re adventurous. It’s modified a bit with my daughter, however I get pleasure from touring together with her. Final yr, we went to Oahu, and this yr, we went to the Big Island, which is nice for youths, particularly toddlers. They like to play within the sand, then they get drained and it’s nap time, in order that they sleep within the automobile. Once they get up, they’re at one other seashore. 

We’ve had so many adventures. Within the Italian Dolomites, my in-laws joined us and we rented a ship on a lake. The climate was so calm, however after we had been in the midst of the lake, it modified and received so rocky—we needed to be rescued. 

I feel my daughter really remembers these adventures. She says she remembers when Grandpa and Baba rowed the boat. She additionally remembers enjoying on the seashore within the sand. I do know a variety of dad and mom do not need to travel after they have kids. Belief me, altering a diaper in a distinct location is best. You do not have to consider day by day mundane duties like laundry, altering sheets, and cooking. Plus, there’s a greater view.

After we had been in a small Italian city, it felt like everyone was taking a look at me. I don’t assume they had been being impolite; perhaps they only hadn’t seen a vacationer with a hijab. I do entice a variety of consideration. I do know it’s tough for some individuals who get stares and feedback like, “Return to the place you got here from.”  Fortunately, I haven’t actually been in any disagreeable conditions. 

I’ve had some points on the border going into the U.S. from Canada, which generally is a little disagreeable. Possibly it’s due to my Singaporean passport. It has been simpler in locations like Italy and Switzerland, the place they’ve so many vacationers from throughout and see a variety of totally different individuals with totally different clothes. However in smaller locations, like Jeju Island in South Korea, they stare as a result of they’re curious.  

There are nice experiences, too. One time, I used to be in Vietnam and due to the hijab, they instantly knew I used to be Muslim, and stated, “Salaam,” the Muslim greeting. Additionally, anytime I see any hijabis, we all the time smile at one another and provides that silent greeting. 

The opposite problem of journey is that it may be tough to search out halal meals. Pork isn’t halal, and rooster, lamb, or beef should be slaughtered within the Islamic method. We additionally don’t devour any alcohol, so we’ve got to test the substances. As an example, in Japan, typically the sushi rice has sake in it. We use an app to see if meals is halal.

We all the time attempt to do our analysis beforehand, however it may be tough with itineraries. For instance, you is perhaps touring south, however the halal place is within the north. You do not need to miss out on locations simply because you want to eat. That stated, there are extra locations recognizing the truth that we, Muslim individuals, have to eat halal meals. I may all the time select vegetarian pasta or tofu bowls. There’s all the time a approach. Touring doesn’t have to cease.

The thought of seeing so many alternative locations makes me need to journey as a lot as I can. I need to present my daughter that touring is straightforward and versatile, in case you work your approach across the challenges.

She’s already tailored a lot in two years. I’m going tenting, boating, and snorkeling together with her. There are moments she’s scared, however I inform her, “I’m proper beside you. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

I’m not going to power her to put on a hijab. Will probably be good if she wears it. I might like to indicate her it isn’t going to cease you from doing something that is protected and good for you, like seeing the world.