Travelling: It is a movement in space, forced, made towards a more or less distant point with a personal aim (for example tourism), or professional (business) or other (war, political or climatic refugees), displacements motivated by sports or socio-cultural activities or big events. Travelling is taking the time to live the moment, to discover the unknown, the elsewhere and oneself… already Christopher Columbus in 1492 had this vision of life. It seems that once you’re in it, you can’t live without it! Traveling is a real addiction because traveling is a very enriching experience that, if done with the right intention, can truly enrich your vision of your own life.

Islam facilitates and encourages travel

In the life of a Muslim, travel is a necessity in the fulfillment of one’s religious duty: for the pilgrimage to Mecca, for visiting one’s family back home, for the instruction of our religion (studies) or simply to discover our beautiful planet. Moreover, Islam facilitates the travel, the dou’as of the Muslim traveler are accepted. All these blessings encourage us to discover the world.

Travel, or how to mature
Traveling teaches us a lot about ourselves. Too confined in our daily lives, confined in a safe environment, it is only when we leave this comfort zone that we discover more about ourselves; what we are capable of doing and what we are able to overcome. Learning to speak a language we have never spoken, finding a halal restaurant, a halal hotel and places to pray… all reasons that can put us off taking the initiative to travel… Great challenges… Traveling allows us to overcome our fear of the unknown, our anxiety, and simply helps us to grow. It allows us to come face to face with nature, to relive its essence and to fully live its curiosity of discovery and immersion.

Traveling halal to meet the Ummah from elsewhere

The best advantage of halal travel is to meet the Ummah beyond the borders, in a Muslim or non-Muslim country. Of course, Muslims are nowadays all over the world and therefore have their own culture which depends on the continent in which they are located. It is obviously very interesting to go and meet them and to be interested in their way of living, of practicing their religion and also to understand their traditions and cultures. Muslim countries are rich in culture, history, and friendliness. Multicultural countries master the art of living together. It is important to see and understand how Islam is represented in the world: Islam is now the first religion in the world, it is comforting and it allows to make an introspection of oneself, to see the place we occupy in this world and to be curious to understand other cultures, Muslim or not, and also to distinguish in other cultures (Muslim) the religious aspect and the cultural aspect.

Be like a lamp that illuminates Islam

We Muslims are the ones who carry the message of Islam. Islam represents perfection, so we must always carry the message of peace and our values. It is about being ourselves by sharing a smile, a story. Keep this in mind: the noble character marks the spirits.

When we travel halal, especially to a non-Muslim country, we represent our religion and our way of life (hijab, halal diet…). Let us convey the message of peace, tolerance.

To be or not to be, such is the question?