3 Muslim Women Share What it’s Like to Travel Alone

Welcome back to another installment of Solo Female Travel Stories, where we share the stories of women who travel alone from all around the world.

While my advice on how to successfully travel solo is universal, there is no denying that I come from a privileged background and I cannot speak to the experience of every woman out there.

Previously, I’ve shared the solo experiences of a not-so-young woman abroad, to a determined single mother, to the brave ladies from Kenya and India who break stereotypes and travel fearlessly.

Today, I have decided to do it a little bit differently in order to provide multiple perspectives on one shared experience – what it is like to be a Muslim solo female traveler.

Admittedly, I do not know a lot about Islam, or Muslim culture. The mainstream media has done a splendid job of portraying the religion a certain way, and it has left me with a lot of questions about how life really is on the road for Muslim travelers.

Do other travelers treat them differently, or is it hard to find the right food or even the right place to perform their daily prayers?

So when I stumbled upon an interview of Muslim solo female traveler from Indonesia, I had to share it on my Facebook Page, and to my pleasant surprise, a number of people commented and shared their views on traveling solo as a Muslim female. I decided to reach out to a few of them to see if they would share more insights with us, and here are Hirni from Singapore, Majdouline from France, and Syifa from Indonesia’s stories:

Tell us about yourselves!

Hirni: I’m adventurous, unconventional, crazy and march to the beat of my own drums. I’d like to be known as someone who is able to inspire and motivate others. I am a solo female traveler who just happens to be Muslim. I do not feel any different from other solo female travelers I’ve met out there.

Syifa: I am a solo female traveler from Indonesia who runs a YouTube channel. I live in the Northwest of China now. When I meet someone new with my hijab on, I do not need to say I am a Muslim, as the hijab kind of speaks for me, though not everyone knows, some may think that it’s a nice fashion statement!

Majdouline: I am a very positive person, who has a strong interest in people. I am French born Arab, and I grew up at the German border in Strasbourg, studied in Germany and worked in London for a decade until a few months ago. I have started to travel around and go trekking a lot to be alone surrounded by nature lately.

What motivated you to travel alone for the first time?

Hirni: I’ve always been very independent but I would say a sense of adventure and fear of the unknown. The idea of surrendering control to a certain extend and letting the universe assist you are the things that helped to propel me to travel solo in the first place. That, and not having a choice!

My first solo trip was to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as a teenager, because my parents were unable to go with me due to work commitments. I was lucky as I have family there, and my cousin hung out with me. I took an overnight train journey, and it was so much fun being on my own, being responsible for my own safety – I felt like a proper adult.

Syifa: I used Couchsurfing to meet travelers when I was back home in Indonesia, as I did not have the money to travel, and figured it would be nice to hear stories from travelers from around the world. I went on Couchsurfing’s website and hunted down travelers in Indonesia, and contacted them to meet up for a meal and a nice conversation. I traveled through their stories which helped feed my wanderlust, and meeting them motivated me to save up to travel myself!

The first time I traveled abroad alone was not completely for the purpose of experiencing solo traveling – I went to Singapore with 100 SGD with me, to visit my boyfriend at that time, but we broke up before we even met. I went anyway, and had to be creative with the limited amount of money I had. I was scared, but I took it as a challenge and even tried out Couchsurfing. The experience was exciting and empowering, and I have since then started taking more budgeted, longer solo trips.

Have you ever changed someone’s point of view about what it means to be a woman from your culture?

When it comes up hijabs (covering up), it really depends on the individual. It may also be a cultural thing in some cases. If you come from a very conservative Islamic family, then the tendency is to dress modestly, just in case your third uncle from your grandma’s side of the family sees you walking down the street, God forbid, with your hair loose and walking beside your male classmate. However, these days, modern Muslims are mostly more relaxed about it. My cabin mate in Antarctica was Jewish. We realized we probably got along well because we are both not very religious, but we did talk about our religions and cultural differences.

Syifa: When I went to Manila, my Couchsurfing host saw me with my hijab from afar, and immediately told me that he would transfer me to another house. When I asked why, he said it’s because his friend’s fiancee was a Muslim and thought that it would be more convenient for me. In Chiang Mai, I stayed with an American-British family, and I took part in their son’s school’s workshop about Islam. Throughout my travels, I have met so many western travelers who showed no hate, only curiosity on my religion, because they had little interaction with a Muslims prior to meeting me.

To be honest, I have been able to learn more about Islam from discussing it with them than back home. I can’t change how the world views Islam, but being able to share what I know is true for sure through traveling makes me very grateful.

Have you had to break down stereotypes and stigmas?

Hirni: Since I do not really look “Muslim”, most people have no idea I am one, until I tell them so – usually when it comes to dietary requirements, or when they see my full name in my passport. Many people think that Muslims should be Arabic-looking, but most Muslims are from the Asia Pacific region, and not all of us look and dress alike!

When I travel, people who have never met a Muslim before get confused when they meet me, because I dress and speak in a “westernized” manner, and have my own thoughts and opinions about the state of the world, climate change, the uselessness of fidget-spinners, etc. A lot of people were really surprised when I told them I went to a Christian high school.

Syifa: I definitely stood out in many countries simply because I wore a hijab. But I don’t think that I am breaking stereotypes by traveling solo. If anything, it has become an added value to me. My hijab often works as a conversation starter, and I have received so much kindness and understanding from people I have met. Interestingly, most, if not all of the hateful comments have come from my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters. I try my best to receive them with an open mind, and believe that they are looking out for me.

Majdouline: People do not realized straight away that I am a Muslim, so sometimes they are surprised because they expect every Muslim to think the same and act the same. But we are individuals who are entitled to think and live our religion as we wish. In Japan, people were very surprised that I did not wear the head scarf so I like to show them pictures of my sisters and my aunty, we all accept each other as we are and no one is judging. 🙂

What are some obstacles you’ve had to overcome in order to make traveling a lifestyle?

Syifa: When I first started traveling, I could only afford to go to the neighboring countries, where the currency exchange rates are not too different from Indonesian Rupiah. Money could be a problem if I were to travel to countries in the US or in Europe. However, I now use workaway.com to sustain my lifestyle. I have also started a YouTube channel to share my travels with people who are interested. Hopefully, I will be able to visit more countries that seemed impossible soon!

Majdouline: Dealing with the number of days off that you get from work as I do not live in the same country than my family. My parents live in France and my grand parents in Tunisia, so I have to take time to see them while maximising my travels all over the world in a limited time each year.

What do you think the world assumes about women from your culture that is dead wrong?

Majdouline: That we are expected to date or marry only muslim guys. Here is an example with the Tunisian  legislation which has been amended this year:

“Tunisian women are allowed to married non- Muslim legally for the first time in 44 years, before if a Muslim woman wanted to marry a non-Muslim man, the man would have to convert to Islam and provide a certificate.”

In general, the world assumes that there is only one way to be a Muslim and that is not the case, I think that no one shall be an ambassador of a whole religion , we should only represent ourselves and our own convictions 🙂

Where have you been that you think is perfect for solo female travelers?

Hirni: I would say in terms of safety, Iceland and Norway are way up there. As a female traveling on your own, you do not have to worry about being hassled. Iceland is easy to navigate but expensive for a solo traveler although it was manageable for me. Norway is perfect for the adventurous. Seeing the Northern lights should be on everyone’s bucket list!

I also backpacked alone around Brazil for close to a month. I bought an Air Pass and did Sao Paolo, Rio, Salvador, Manaus, Paintins, and Fortaleza. I enjoyed Festa Juninhas, and watching Boi Bumba in the Amazon (a carnival, but Amazonian style). Nobody really bothered me, but I guess I blended in pretty well with the locals. I had to use my common sense when it came to safety, of course. I also got tips from fellow travelers about traveling around Brazil.

For Muslims, we are most concerned about Halal food (which would make Denmark a less preferred destination right now). So if there is no Halal food to be found, we would have to stick with vegetarian food. Another important aspect is the ability to pray 5 times a day for most practicing Muslims. In non-Islamic countries, mosques and prayer rooms are rare, but you can always find a quiet corner to perform your prayers.

Majdouline: I think that big cities are amazing for solo female travelers, I would suggest Seoul, Tokyo, NYC. Lisbon and Milan. I loved trekking and going to the wild but found it more challenges to do it alone whereas New Zealand or Corsica are great for solo female travelers.

What are some unexpected benefits of traveling alone?

Hirni: You could always change your mind if need be, should something interesting suddenly come up. For example, when the locals tell you of a party or festival that you could go to, you don’t have to check with your travel companions if they would want to go or not. It also pushes you to be more open and communicate with other people, be it locals or fellow travelers.

Finally, you could also go off-the-grid, off the beaten track if you wish to do so, without having to worry if your travel companions are comfortable with it. Basically, you come first!

Strangers are also more willing to help when they realize you are alone and may be a little “helpless”.

What is your advice to Muslim women who want to travel solo like you?

Syifa: Don’t be afraid. It’s scary to leave your comfort zone at first, but once you take the plunge to do it, and experience interacting with other travelers, you will realize that it is a lot easier than you thought!

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I was encouraged and impressed to find that though stereotypes abound, these women have all had wonderful travel experiences that transcend outward differences.

Many thanks to these ladies for being part of this series! It’s so cool to hear from women from all over the world and from all walks of life about what solo traveling means to them, and to see that it can be enjoyed across so many different cultures.

Per usual, I’m amazed, humbled, and impressed by all of the women who are out there conquering the globe, and I’d love to share even more remarkable stories with you.

If you have a unique story to share, please get in touch.

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