“Muslim Family Returns Home to Vandalized Apartment, Torn Quran, Stolen Green Cards in Virginia.”
“Racist Bites And Stabs Random Somali Man Because He ‘Hates Muslims’”
“Bible break-in: Colorado Islamic center vandalized, community rallies in solidarity”
I wish I could say I made these headlines up. I wish I could say that I had to scour through Google for hours to find these headlines. The reality is, these all happened in the last 24 hours. These headlines have become another day in the life of being Muslim in the United States – and the world. Islamophobia is at an all time high and the 1.6 billion Muslims are suffering as a result.
I understand that the world is scary. Politics are a complete and utter disaster, with politicians fueling the flames of Islamophobia and xenophobia in an effort to gain votes and power. The consequences of using inflammatory language have led to a rise in hate crimes and terrorism; you don’t get one without the other.
Recently, someone asked me what it’s like to be a traveling Muslim. Am I brave, stupid, or a little bit of both for traveling as a Muslim female in today’s environment?
My answer can be best summarized by this quote:
“I am not afraid of the world, but I am afraid of people who are afraid of the world. Terrified people, after all, have a reputation for making terrible decisions.” – Elizabeth Gilbert
You see, traveling while Muslim means a lot of things:
It means always getting stopped for the “random” security check at the airport.
It means telling people where you’re really from because you can’t be actually from the United States.
It means being armed with examples and parables to prove that no, Islam is not a violent religion.
It means dealing with woefully ignorant questions about differences between race, religion, and culture.
It means hoping and praying that the latest terrorist attack wasn’t done in the name of Islam.
It’s the sinking feeling of knowing that an alarming number of people look at you and only see “the enemy.”
It means wondering if and when I will inevitably be stopped at border control.
It means debating if I should continue traveling in the Middle East, knowing I could face repercussions when I return to the U.S.
That is what it’s like to travel while Muslim.
Yet, I can appreciate the irony that the best way for Muslims to show the world that we’re not simply terrorists, oppressed women, or religious zealots is through travel.
I know it’s easy for me to sit behind my computer and tell Muslims to travel when I only face a small fraction of the “symptoms” of traveling while Muslim. I don’t “look Muslim:” I don’t wear a headscarf, I don’t look particularly Arab, and my name is Sally. Most people don’t know enough about last names to determine my background.
Naturally, one of us got *randomly* security checked on each flight to and from Hawaii.
I may have it easy compared to many but that’s precisely why I travel.
I’m a firm believer that humans are good. At the same time, it’s hard to expect people to act rationally when they’re scared. My fellow Muslims: It’s time for us to stop talking to each other and start talking to the world. We can write countless articles and op-eds and Facebook posts. But if our haters aren’t reading them, then what’s the point? Actions speak louder than words.
We have to travel within our communities, outside of them, and globally (and I’m not talking about those giant tour groups with other Muslims, either). We have to meet people and engage with them and educate them. I don’t travel around preaching Islam. But when I tell people I don’t drink or eat pork, they often ask me why. That’s the perfect window of opportunity.
You don’t get to be a Muslim traveler without being an inadvertent ambassador for Islam. Like it or not, every Muslim traveler has to deal with questions about religion, race, culture, and politics. While many find this tiring, I welcome it, because I’ve realized that there are SO many people out there who are woefully ignorant to the most basic tenants of Islam. They know what the media tells them. They see veiled women on TV or in the streets and think they’re oppressed.
I mean, just a couple of weeks ago here in Madrid, I overheard someone asking my hijabi friend if she showers with her hijab. We clearly have a lot of educating to do. Maybe it’s not our job, but I don’t have faith that people will seek this knowledge for themselves.
Me and Kareemah from Hijabiglobetrotter
It’s up to this generation of Muslims to show the world that we are diverse in race, cultures, and practices. It’s up to us to show the world that 99.9% of Muslims are just ordinary people who want to live a happy life.
Traveling is a different kind of education – the kind where both parties learn from the other. I don’t travel to simply see pretty sites. I travel because I want to learn and teach. I want to view the world with a child-like curiosity and ask each person “Who are you and why do you do what you do? What do you believe in and why do you believe it?”
Deep down, we all know that all humans want the same basic things, but every time I travel and meet new people, I learn something new. We can read as much as we want to about different cultures, but it’s only by visiting places that we can truly see the whole picture of what makes people tick. What’s more – we can show the world the human side of the faceless “enemy that is Islam.” I KNOW we shouldn’t have to prove ourselves to be peaceful human beings, but the reality is that if we don’t do it, then the mainstream media will become our voice. And that is the last thing we need.
Sibling love <3.
To my fellow Muslims: next time you plan a trip, consider the number of ways you can meet locals or do community outreach. Maybe you can volunteer or stay in a hostel or shared Airbnb. It can be as simple as chatting with your barista at a local café or meeting a couchsurfer for dinner. Imagine a world where all the people we meet in turn become ambassadors in their communities. Perhaps then #NotInMyName won’t just be a Muslim movement – but one that serves as a reminder to the world that your religion, gender, or sexual preference should never be a reason for discrimination or generalization. As the Dalai Lama once said: “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito in the room.”
32 thoughts on “Traveling While Muslim: Why More Muslims Need to Travel”
carmelisse says:
I absolutely love the message you are spreading in this post. With everything that’s going on, I can’t imagine being held back from doing what I love. Good for you hun! xx
I hate the idea that it’s up to the people facing discrimination to change people’s minds, but I do love encouraging everyone to travel. People’s ideas of what traveling is like can be wildly off-base — the best trips are cheap and often are the kinds of experiences that are tough when you’re going through them, but make amazing stories (and life long friendships).
As do I, to be honest. It’s unfortunate that many people don’t attempt to educate themselves before making assumptions about things – whether it be different cultures, religions, or even how expensive travel is! I think we all travel to learn and in turn, educate. This is just one way of doing that – not our ‘job’ per say but I’d rather be the one with the voice than allow the media to make assumptions on my behalf. Thanks for reading 🙂
It’s good to see that you’re out there exploring the world and following your dreams. I always get stopped by security at airports too but I think it’s because of all the electronics and camera gear I carry with me!
That quote is so spot on. I love that you’re encouraging more Muslims to travel. My husband would actually get stopped for “random” checks every time we’d fly in our college days. He’s not Muslim but went through a hippie stage wearing loose Israeli clothes and had long hair/a huge beard so yah “randomly” would get checked. It got to a point where I would go separately from him because I didn’t want to deal with the hassle.
It’s one of my favorites!
Haha yeah, pretty sure everyone knows that “random” security checks aren’t so random – and Muslims certainly aren’t the only ones getting stopped, either! LOL gotta love the hassle that is airport security.
I’m sad that you’re having to put up with this. I really worry about my Muslim friends in this political atmosphere. I totally agree that travel and/or coming into contact with people who are maybe a bit “different” is so important for opening minds.
Yeah, it’s pretty unfortunate. I don’t even wear any visible signs of my religion so I know it’s a LOT worse for other people. But I do worry a lot about friends and family members in today’s climate. Seeing the rise in hate crimes is definitely concerning. But I do hope that people will slowly become more open-minded by traveling and interacting with people that are different than they are.
Fantastic post! I think this is just so important, People are so ignorant sometimes, and if they won’t escape their bubble and visit a Muslim country to see the reality, maybe it’s travellers that can instead teach them at home. Thank you.
Thanks, Josie! I agree with you. It’s unfortunate that many people stay in their bubble and don’t bother to learn about different cultures or religions. Some people stay in this bubble even when they’re traveling which is mind-blowing. I hope that travelers can combat that Islamophobia that’s spread so wildly in the media! Thanks for reading.
I am always fascinated by how different people from different countries and cultures experience the world. We all have such different points of view and travel is such a wonderful way to educate people on who you are as a person and what you believe in. Fantastic post!
Thanks Lindsay! And so am I! It’s always interesting to hear how people experience different places because so much of your experience is due to the lens with which you see the world. Thanks for reading!
“I am not afraid of the world, but I am afraid of people who are afraid of the world. Terrified people, after all, have a reputation for making terrible decisions.” – Elizabeth Gilbert Love this quote and so true. That’s exactly how I feel.
Really sorry about that stupid question in Madrid. I agree that if we are open to hear others the world would be much different and yet I find that people that are open to listen and to “risk” travelling can see beyond those topics. Stereotypes will destry us that’s for sure. Thanks for sharing
You’d be surprised by how many people ask! It always surprises me haha. I know that stereotyping is causing so much hatred in the world. I just hope that people will try to be open-minded when they do encounter people who are “different.” Thanks for reading!
This is a wonderful article Sally. Equally, I believe more non-Muslims should travel to Muslim countries. Nothing opens your eyes to reality and the general kindness of humans like travel.
Well, no religion is a violent religion, they are all about truth. It’s we the humans who ain’t human anymore create the divide, mend the meaning of religion and spread fear & hatred. I loved your article Sally. Kudos!
This is very true! It’s so unfortunate that we use something that should be peaceful as a tool to create more hatred and divide in the world. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Love this post! I’m not Muslim, but I think it’s still important to read about the challenges that Muslims face when traveling (and just trying to go in their house… those headlines are wild). I hope your post does get out to the right communities and encourage those who are able to travel more and try to open up the eyes of ignorant people…
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of all the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
I absolutely love the message you are spreading in this post. With everything that’s going on, I can’t imagine being held back from doing what I love. Good for you hun! xx
Thank you! I hope that things change for the better!
I hate the idea that it’s up to the people facing discrimination to change people’s minds, but I do love encouraging everyone to travel. People’s ideas of what traveling is like can be wildly off-base — the best trips are cheap and often are the kinds of experiences that are tough when you’re going through them, but make amazing stories (and life long friendships).
As do I, to be honest. It’s unfortunate that many people don’t attempt to educate themselves before making assumptions about things – whether it be different cultures, religions, or even how expensive travel is! I think we all travel to learn and in turn, educate. This is just one way of doing that – not our ‘job’ per say but I’d rather be the one with the voice than allow the media to make assumptions on my behalf. Thanks for reading 🙂
It’s good to see that you’re out there exploring the world and following your dreams. I always get stopped by security at airports too but I think it’s because of all the electronics and camera gear I carry with me!
Thank you! Hahah yes, that will certainly do it!
That quote is so spot on. I love that you’re encouraging more Muslims to travel. My husband would actually get stopped for “random” checks every time we’d fly in our college days. He’s not Muslim but went through a hippie stage wearing loose Israeli clothes and had long hair/a huge beard so yah “randomly” would get checked. It got to a point where I would go separately from him because I didn’t want to deal with the hassle.
It’s one of my favorites!
Haha yeah, pretty sure everyone knows that “random” security checks aren’t so random – and Muslims certainly aren’t the only ones getting stopped, either! LOL gotta love the hassle that is airport security.
I’m sad that you’re having to put up with this. I really worry about my Muslim friends in this political atmosphere. I totally agree that travel and/or coming into contact with people who are maybe a bit “different” is so important for opening minds.
Yeah, it’s pretty unfortunate. I don’t even wear any visible signs of my religion so I know it’s a LOT worse for other people. But I do worry a lot about friends and family members in today’s climate. Seeing the rise in hate crimes is definitely concerning. But I do hope that people will slowly become more open-minded by traveling and interacting with people that are different than they are.
Fantastic post! I think this is just so important, People are so ignorant sometimes, and if they won’t escape their bubble and visit a Muslim country to see the reality, maybe it’s travellers that can instead teach them at home. Thank you.
Thanks, Josie! I agree with you. It’s unfortunate that many people stay in their bubble and don’t bother to learn about different cultures or religions. Some people stay in this bubble even when they’re traveling which is mind-blowing. I hope that travelers can combat that Islamophobia that’s spread so wildly in the media! Thanks for reading.
I am always fascinated by how different people from different countries and cultures experience the world. We all have such different points of view and travel is such a wonderful way to educate people on who you are as a person and what you believe in. Fantastic post!
Thanks Lindsay! And so am I! It’s always interesting to hear how people experience different places because so much of your experience is due to the lens with which you see the world. Thanks for reading!
“I am not afraid of the world, but I am afraid of people who are afraid of the world. Terrified people, after all, have a reputation for making terrible decisions.” – Elizabeth Gilbert Love this quote and so true. That’s exactly how I feel.
Really sorry about that stupid question in Madrid. I agree that if we are open to hear others the world would be much different and yet I find that people that are open to listen and to “risk” travelling can see beyond those topics. Stereotypes will destry us that’s for sure. Thanks for sharing
You’d be surprised by how many people ask! It always surprises me haha. I know that stereotyping is causing so much hatred in the world. I just hope that people will try to be open-minded when they do encounter people who are “different.” Thanks for reading!
In this incredible world we live in, there is so much hate and ignorance. Keep being a phenomenal voice for change. You are an inspiration.
Thank you <3
Wow, well written and very true
Thanks for reading!
Thank you for being brave. I can’t imagine what it must be like. I feel nervous about traveling and I’m never singled out. Well said.
Thanks very much, Jessie!
Thanks for this article. I’m sad that people have to be ambassadors for their identity, but glad that many take up the task with great skill.
Thank you very much <3
This is a wonderful article Sally. Equally, I believe more non-Muslims should travel to Muslim countries. Nothing opens your eyes to reality and the general kindness of humans like travel.
Thanks Alison! I agree 100%. Travel truly does shatter misconceptions. Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
Great article! It’s those conversations we have on our travels that makes it memorable & teaches us a bit more about the world.
Thanks Dan! And yes – so, so true. One of many reasons why I travel!
Well, no religion is a violent religion, they are all about truth. It’s we the humans who ain’t human anymore create the divide, mend the meaning of religion and spread fear & hatred. I loved your article Sally. Kudos!
This is very true! It’s so unfortunate that we use something that should be peaceful as a tool to create more hatred and divide in the world. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Love this post! I’m not Muslim, but I think it’s still important to read about the challenges that Muslims face when traveling (and just trying to go in their house… those headlines are wild). I hope your post does get out to the right communities and encourage those who are able to travel more and try to open up the eyes of ignorant people…