What It is Prefer to Journey As a Muslim Girl in a Hijab

For Journey + Leisure’s column Touring As, we’re speaking to vacationers about what it’s prefer 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 prefer to see the world whereas sporting a hijab. Right here’s her story… 

For the final 10 years, I’ve been a hijabi, sporting what folks 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 compelled me to do that—it’s one thing I understood getting in. Sporting 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 throughout the month of Ramadan, once we don’t eat or drink from dawn to sundown. It’s a holy time that acts like a reset for Muslims all over the world. That yr, I assumed, I cowl up for prayers, so why can’t I do it on a regular basis? I’m fairly comfy sporting a hijab now. There are various completely different types, even silk and different fancy supplies. I take pleasure in styling it as nicely.

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 previous. We’d take highway 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 woman journey by herself or together with her buddies. However as quickly as I graduated from college, I obtained married and my husband and I began touring. 

Our first large journey was to South Korea—we wished to expertise snow. Sadly, we didn’t see any, however I fell in love with touring. I additionally love out of doors actions, like mountaineering and tenting.  You are going to get sweaty whenever you’re mountaineering 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 previous. We’ve got 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 right way to soothe her when she was crying.

When she was about 4 months previous, we went to Japan within the fall to see the colours. It was lovely. We visited Kyoto, Osaka, and the Japanese Alps. My daughter just 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 really like to hang around by the seaside. I additionally like snorkeling, and in Hawaii, the fishes come proper as much as the seaside, so that you don’t should go deep. However I make sure that I am nonetheless coated whereas having fun with myself. I put on what’s known as a burkini—it is like leggings and an extended swimsuit fabricated from swimsuit materials, and it covers your hair. If I want to vary 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 try to pack in rather a lot when touring. We go from dawn to sundown, and we’re adventurous. It’s modified a bit with my daughter, however I take pleasure in touring together with her. Final yr, we went to Oahu, and this yr, we went to the Large Island, which is nice for teenagers, particularly toddlers. They like to play within the sand, then they get drained and it’s nap time, so that they sleep within the automotive. After they get up, they’re at one other seaside. 

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 once we have been in the course of the lake, it modified and obtained 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 taking part in on the seaside within the sand. I do know a number of dad and mom do not need to journey after they’ve youngsters. Belief me, altering a diaper in a special 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.

Once we have been in a small Italian city, it felt like all people was me. I don’t assume they have been being impolite; perhaps they simply hadn’t seen a vacationer with a hijab. I do appeal to a number of consideration. I do know it’s troublesome 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 is usually a little disagreeable. Perhaps 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 number of completely different folks with completely 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 mentioned, “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 troublesome to search out halal meals. Pork just isn’t halal, and rooster, lamb, or beef have to be slaughtered within the Islamic method. We additionally don’t devour any alcohol, so we now have to verify the components. As an illustration, in Japan, generally 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 troublesome with itineraries. For instance, you could be touring south, however the halal place is within the north. You do not need to miss out on locations simply because it is advisable eat. That mentioned, there are extra locations recognizing the truth that we, Muslim folks, have to eat halal meals. I can even all the time select vegetarian pasta or tofu bowls. There’s all the time a method. Touring doesn’t have to cease.

The thought of seeing so many various locations makes me need to journey as a lot as I can. I need to present my daughter that touring is simple and versatile, for those who work your method across the challenges.

She’s already tailored a lot in two years. I am 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 pressure her to put on a hijab. Will probably be good if she wears it. I might like to indicate her it is not going to cease you from doing something that is secure and good for you, like seeing the world.