The Culture Trip brings to you a listicle of what you need to know when traveling to a Muslim majority country. “For those who make the journey there is the realization that the cultures and history of these places are both beautiful and diverse. To truly enjoy your experience while being respectful, here is [a list] of things you should know before traveling to a Muslim country.”
When choosing outfits to wear, cover as much skin as feels comfortable
Because most Muslim countries will generally be more conservative in terms of clothing, when packing for your trip keep in mind that if you want to stay respectful, it is always better to cover more than less
Do some research on the hijab
Understand that unless you are traveling to Saudi Arabia or Iran, the hijab is not a requirement and that the women who wear it are doing it by choice and are proud to wear the hijab. Understand that the hijab does not equate to oppression, and that the women who wear the hijab are regular students, professionals, doctors, and lawyers.
Halal Cuisine
Muslims eat halal food, which just means that it was prepared in an Islamically approved way. Halal food isn’t a type of dish or ingredient, it is just the way an animal was killed for the meat.
Research hotels—some hotels will not let unmarried couples stay together
Finding alcohol may be hard, and you should drink in public discretely
Affection in public
Muslim men and women will generally not touch each other if they are unrelated, so be sure to not initiate a handshake or hug with the opposite gender while you are traveling, unless initiated first by your Muslim friend or acquaintance. Many Muslim couples will not show affection in public in order to stay respectful to other people around them, so if you want to stay extra respectful while you are traveling as a couple, keep the public affection to a minimum.
When entering a mosque, know what to do to stay respectful
Remember that as a woman entering a mosque you must cover your hair, and cover up as much skin as possible on your body. Men as well should wear long trousers and not wear anything too tight. You also must take off your shoes before entering a mosque, and never walk in front of someone who is in the middle of prayer.
Learn the universal greeting for Muslims: Salamu alaikum
The Islamic greeting that all Muslims say when meeting is Salamu alaikum, which means “peace be upon you.
And most of all, have fun!
