Traveling Women in Muslim Countries

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Muslim countries have been receiving a lot of media attention of late, and much of it has been profoundly negative. We hear about wars being waged, the constant threat of terrorist attacks, and other negative things about human rights violations in general and the life and lack of rights and liberties of Muslim women in particular. But how much of those notions are based in reality and how much of them are simply media fabrications or exaggerations? Many of us ask ourselves the question but there are those of us who have actually taken the time to visit those countries and see with our own eyes or intend to do so in the future.


As a woman, traveling to a predominantly Muslim country can be more problematic than for a man, especially when traveling alone. Aside from the general precautions, one should also be aware of the customs and traditions related to the female gender and make sure to stay well within the local norms, inconvenient as it may seem, for safety reasons. Certain countries are, of course, more liberal than others, especially when it comes to western travelers. Your clothing is something you should pay extra attention to, as well as your behavior, as the main thing you should try is to avoid offending the local population or disrespecting their customs.


You should know that in places such as Egypt or Syria you might not need any kind of special clothing and would have no problem wearing your own clothes, especially in the regions where certain historical and cultural attractions can be found and where there is a frequency of western visitors (even though you should stay away from anything particularly revealing, such as shorts, sleeveless t-shirts or extra-cleavage tops for a series of reasons, one being respect for the visited countries’ culture and the other being protection from the very powerful sun specific for most of the Muslim countries). The most suitable attire probably consists of long skirts and elbow-length or longer sleeved, wide shirts. It is to be noted that you should try to wear suitable and non-offensive clothing and a head scarf if you plan on visiting any religious landmarks, in order to avoid provoking any sort of negative reaction. Even in highly westernized countries, such as Kuwait, where you can wear western clothing without any problems, shorts or other revealing clothes are not advisable out of respect for the traditions of the country, as some of the locals might find them offensive.


In certain countries, it might be required that you wear a hijab, or head cover, which is an accessory typical for women in all Muslim countries. You might want to purchase one and wear it, especially since this would also give you a more personal feel for the local customs and flavors. If you are feeling like visiting countries such as Iran or Saudi Arabia, you might be well served by purchasing an abaya, which is a wide cloak covering the entire body, from the shoulders to the feet. The abaya should be worn with a head accessory by the name of niqab, a face and head cover which usually either has an opening for the eyes or is made out of a thin, semi-transparent fabric in front of the eyes in order to allow some visibility. Purchasing this kind of clothing locally ensures that you will have no problems in terms of your appearance, that you will be able to blend in a lot easier and also that you will not stand out as a visitor to potential pickpockets targeting foreigners. If you go for this kind of clothing, it’s preferable that you choose a black colored one in order not to stand out, as it is the color of choice for local women.


Some of the most popular attractions in Muslim countries are the extraordinary resorts that exist in many of them. There’s nothing stopping you from enjoying the sun, water and service, but be warned that sunbathing topless, even in resorts where the western population is predominant is offensive to the Islamic staff, and might also end up causing you to receive a few undesired advances, as it is a common preconception amongst Muslim males that western women are ‘easy’, something that is being constantly fueled by the media and the differences between the perception on clothing propriety.


While it might not seem entirely advisable now, because of the current situation, if you plan on visiting Pakistan, the most comfortable and suitable clothing you could wear is the local Shalwar Khamiz. Aside from being comfortable, as it consists from a tunic, wide pants and a scarf around the shoulders, it also has quite a unique and charming look to it, not to mention that it is affordable and will help you blend in.


As a woman traveling alone, you should take a series of other precautions aside from the clothes you will be wearing, as you will be exposed to a series of risks, the most frequent of which is being mugged. Always make sure to keep a stash of money tucked away in a safe place, such as your bra or your socks, to not stay on the streets well into the night, and to always carry a well powered flashlight. You should also make sure that you know your address and that you inquire about safe means of transportation in the areas you intend to venture in, in case you need to use them.


There is a lot of negativity in the media regarding Muslim countries, but a lot of the things we hear and see tend to be disproved during actual visits to the countries in question. While it is always best to avoid regions with conflict and other safety issues, there are also many Islamic countries that are conflict-free and that are ready to be visited, offering plenty of historical and cultural enticements, the experience of which can be unique, spiritually enriching, meaningful, and should not be missed.

Written by: Shue
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