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Let me show you a world that is too often misunderstood.
Women gossiping in a park.
Istanbul, 2013.
Soft sand, palm trees, and some of the bluest waters you’ve ever seen.
Senggigi, Indonesia, 2011.
Bikes and bread and girls in matching dresses.
Prizren, Kosovo, 2013.
Camel rides at sunrise.
Wadi Rum, Jordan, 2011.
Chilled out beach resorts.
Ksamil, Albania, 2015.
Opulence.
Dubai, 2013
New friends who are dressed a million times better than you.
Amman, 2011.
Bridges across the divide.
Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2012.
Best friends forever.
Brunei Darussalam, 2014.
Desert dunes.
Wadi Rum, Jordan, 2013.
Graffitied pyramids dwarfing cities.
Tirana, Albania, 2015.
Mocktails made with gold leaf and camel milk.
Dubai, 2013.
Ruins that could rival anything in Rome.
Jerash, Jordan, 2011.
The call to prayer beautifully punctuating the day.
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, 2014.
Bazaars packed with traditional goods.
Istanbul, 2013.
Bridges, mosques, minarets, and fortresses.
Prizren, Kosovo, 2013.
World wonders.
Petra, Jordan, 2011.
Daredevils showing off for the camera.
Koh Lanta, Thailand, 2014.
Olives. Lots and lots of olives.
Istanbul, 2013.
Fiery curries, not a bite of pork in sight.
Koh Lanta, Thailand, 2015.
Pink sunsets over the Andaman.
Koh Lanta, Thailand, 2015.
Spellbinding traditional architecture.
Istanbul, 2013.
UNESCO World Heritage-listed architecture.
Berat, Albania, 2015.
Avant-garde architecture.
Prishtina, Kosovo, 2013.
Tea served in tulip-shaped glasses.
Istanbul, 2011.
High tea overlooking a luxurious city.
Dubai, 2013.
Young men who live on the edge.
Istanbul, 2013.
Young men who died far too young.
Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2013.
Did I ever feel in danger?
Not once.
Beauty, joy, friendship, and the best hospitality in the world — this is just a fraction of what the Islamic world has to offer. And this doesn’t even count western countries with sizable Muslim populations, like London and Paris, nor places where I interact with Muslims daily, like my home city of New York.
Looking back, I thought that Islamophobia would slowly decrease in the years following 9/11. Now, it seems to be worse than ever. Considering how Islamophobia is ricocheting across America and the globe right now, I think it’s vital to change perceptions by sharing the truth about these beautiful, welcoming destinations.
I’m adding another priority of 2017: to visit at least one new Islamic region or country, and hopefully more. That could be Uzbekistan or Tunisia, Oman or Azerbaijan, Western China or Northern India or Turkish Cyprus.
In the seven years that I’ve been publishing this site, my goal has been to show women that they shouldn’t let fear stop them from traveling the world. Now I want to change perceptions about this oft-misunderstood region.
I’m going to leave this right here…and this is just in the LAST 30 DAYS.
http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/attacks/attacks.aspx?Yr=Last30
Hi Kate,
Grat post as always. Travel allows us to discover that we are more similar than different. We all have a BFF, love our family and enjoy spoiling guests. Have you been to Iran? I didn’t see any pics in this post.. Would love Iran travel advice.
Thanks in advance,
Sommer
Love your post and pictures!! I really recommend you to visit Lebanon. It is safe and it is very interesting to see the dynamics of a half Christian, half Muslim country. Beirut is a must for any passionate traveler! 🙂
As a Muslim traveller, thank you for this post! Istanbul is one of my favourite cities, the people are soooo friendly, the food is amazing, and the culture is beautiful. I always feel so at peace in this city, the call to prayer is lovely, and there’s just a really easy-going, relaxed air. I wear hijab so did expect to feel comfortable, but the level of friendliness here is so lovely – really felt at home here, and felt so respected by men and women.
I think people need to realise that what is happening in current events has barely anything to do with REAL people. Ordinary Muslims in these kinds of places are just as much victim to stereotype and drama – when most of them are lovely.
Love, a Muslim Traverl x
What beautiful photos of some stunning parts of the world. Can I suggest Oman for your next visit to the Islamic world? Gorgeous scenery and some of the friendliest, most welcoming people (both men and women) I’ve ever met.
Travelers that exclude the Muslim World from their itineraries are missing out on so much … and yes, it is very safe (so long as you aren’t in a hot war zone, which isn’t many places).
Such a great post. My husband and I went to Jordan in 2016, and all of our friends and family were so afraid something bad was going to happen to us. The reality is we felt so safe in Jordan, and we got to see and do so many wonderful things, like riding camels, drinking tea and eating meals in the desert with the Bedouin, floating in the Dead Sea, climbing all over Roman ruins at Jerash, smoking sheesha and eating felafels in Amman, and to top it all off, the awe inspiring rock city of Petra. Your pictures really show what the muslim world is all about: people living their lives and trying to make a good life for themselves and their family.
I love that Mark Twain quote that another reader shared. Travel really is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrowmindedness. So true and I wish more people would get out there and see that the world is mostly a wonderful place.
thank you for sharing. Love your pictures. I love istanbul. If you get a chance, go to berlin during the summer time. You will love it. Chabuk Chabuk.
Some people have commented that pictures from certain countries shouldn’t count as “the Islamic World”, because they are “moderately muslim” or “secular societies”. I believe that the pictures from these countries show that it is possible for Islam to coexist with in secular societies and live alongside followers of other faiths.
6 ,16 nd more pics are sooo amazing thanks for sharing with us and really nice shots
I feel happy that Islamophobia would slowly decrease today. I’m from indonesia bye the way. haha
Wow, I some from your pictures that maybe you haven’t been to Morocco. You should totally add to your list! It has so many different landscapes and the people are very welcoming..
Beautiful pics. Thanks, Kate.
I’ve traveled and worked for many years in the Middle East, teachin English in Egypt, Kurdistan (the autonomous district in Iraq), Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia. It’s true that Middle Eastern hospitality is amazing. I’ve had perfect strangers open their homes for me, feed me, show me around, fill up my tank with gas.
So thank you again, Kate, for showing us the side of the Islamic world that is not covered in mainstream media.
Just my two cents, India – North or South or any other part is NOT muslim, yes we have plenty of muslim population but India remains a secular nation with majority Hindus.
I’ve voyage and worked for a long time in the Middle East, sit-in English in Egypt, Kurdistan (the self-sufficient region in Iraq), Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia. It’s actual that Middle Eastern friendliness is stunning.
Thanks for sharing, and spreading to the world to not afraid about muslim.