Trifter

What to Wear

As part of their religious beliefs, Islamic women wear long, loose clothing and sometimes cover their heads and face. Western women are not expected to wear the same clothes but, when travelling in Islamic countries, you should dress conservatively to show that you respect your host country’s religion, custom and beliefs.

Except in Iran where the law says that foreign women have to be covered up, what you wear is really up to you. However, you should cover your arms and legs with loose, non-hugging clothing, for example, trousers, long skirts and long sleeved t-shirts especially when you are visiting non-Western areas. If you are staying in a resort or large hotel with a mainly Western clientele, you will be able to wear your normal clothes and wear a swimming costume, though not a bikini, around the pool.

There are benefits to wearing local clothing. Women who wear the chador (a loose black robe)find that y feel more comfortable when walking in the street as they don’t get stared at, are not hassled to buy things and feel less threatened. In some countries, revealing clothing is the sign of a prostitute, so women travellers can find themselves being hassled or sneered at without knowing why. It can also open up new experiences for women travellers as you could be invited into women-only areas of souks (markets) or bathing areas which otherwise you wouldn’t have found out about.

Visiting Islamic Places of Worship

Mosques and shrines are ornate and spectacular buildings with intricate detailing. When you visit them, you will be expected to cover your head at all times, when inside the building. You should avoid strappy clothing, shorts and tight tops. You will be expected to remove footwear and leave them outside the mosque complex. When you are inside, speak in a soft voice, even if there aren’t any people praying, you might still disturb the peace.

Avoid Over Familiarity

There is a strict segregation the sexes is maintained in Islamic Countries. The role of men and women in relation to each other is clearly defined. What may seem like friendliness to you may be taken as an interest in taking things further by the other person. You should avoid eye contact with strangers. You should be careful about how you treat any male older than 14 and younger than 75. Looking directly at a man and speaking plainly to him could be taken for flirting so always remain formal and try to involve several people in a conversation.

Avoid Proselytising

Whatever you think about Islam, keep it to yourself. In some countries, such as Egypt, proselytism is a crime and you could be fined and deported.

Photographs

You should be very careful about taking photographs, especially of people and in particular women, as Islam does not allow the representation of people and animals in pictures. It is always courteous to ask before people before photographing them and sensible to ask permission if you want to photograph inside a mosque or religious shrine. Also be wary about photographing military, government and airport installations.

Alcohol

Alcohol is served to non-Muslims in all major hotels and licensed restaurants, but public drunkenness and drinking and driving are not tolerated. The latter is a serious offence, with zero tolerance for driving while under the influence of alcohol.  Serving, selling or giving alcohol to non-Muslims is also against the law. There is also no tolerance for drug use, and visitors may face long prison sentences if apprehended with any drugs, however small the quantity.  Travellers must take special care to ensure that their medications or other substances are not restricted before travelling. My brother, who lives in Abu Dhabi, has to have a licence to purchase alcohol

Public Displays of Affection

Be very careful of displaying affection in Islamic countries. Holidaymakers are advised not to have extra-marital sex or even kiss in public as this could lead to arrest and deportation.

General Advice

Be careful about letting your guard down when you are on holiday, when it comes to your life, you can’t be too careful. Expect to give up some of the freedoms you are used to at home. Travel at night with a group. Talk to other women who have travelled to the country you are planning to visit before you leave home and check out the security situation in the country you are going to and find out about any prior incidents that may have occurred in the area. My mother had a lovely holiday in Abu Dhabi, when my brother and sister-in-law couldn’t take her around because of work commitments, they employed a taxi driver that they know well to take her around and he looked after her very well.

If you obey the local laws and respect their customs you will find that visiting Islamic countries can be a very enjoyable experience.