As far as I can remember, my mother seldom suggested trips to the beach or the pool when we traveled. She would always use her fare skin as an excuse, but my brothers and I knew it was because she could never swim in comfort. My dad would be forced to put on his trunks and bare his big belly for our sake, while my mom sat under an umbrella wearing the usual white long-sleeved shirt, training pants, and shades the size of her face. It was usually windy, so her hijab was always pulled tightly to avoid stray hairs. Everything changed when the “burkini” was invented.
She purchased her first burkini at a fashion exhibition in Kuwait. The burkini was neatly folded into a matching beach bag. Made of water-resistant material, the burkini is a long sleeved cape that is knee-length. Instead of a bikini bottom, the burkini comes with stretchy pants of the same material and color. I can’t forget how excited she was. I secretly thought it was ridiculous and tried to restrain myself from mocking the outfit. I simply smiled and said, “Now you have absolutely no excuse!.” She traveled to Phuket, Thailand a few months later.
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- My mother wearing her burkini in Malaysia.
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- My mother and I in Malaysia.
My family and I are not strict when it comes to halal food, like many other Muslim families we know. It usually depends on the availability. However, we will make stops for prayer. When I was younger, I resented those stops. We would be at an arcade or in a mall having a blast until my dad says, “Okay, it’s time to head back to the hotel to wash up and pray,” if we failed to find a quiet area. Today, I leave campus and drive all the way to my apartment to pray, and head back for the rest of the day. I’ve tried praying on campus a couple of times, but it’s a hassle and I can’t seem to find the right place.
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- Family trip to Malaysia.
My brother would always check the mini bar for alcohol when we stay at hotels in Europe. He would sarcastically announce that he will be gulping them down one by one, until my dad takes him to the side and reminds him it’s “haram,” (forbidden), fearing he would actually do it! That talk never gets old.
I grew up with grandmothers and aunts who wear the hijab. I’m always the one in shorts or a sleeveless top at international airports. However, my dad can be harsh in Kuwait. I’ve lost count of all the times he disapproved of my outfits: “That’s too tight!” or “That’s too revealing!” It’s almost like walking through an airport scanner. My friends go through the same experience with their dads almost every day.
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- My grandmother, mother and aunts.
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- My grandmother and mother at a train station in London.
As a Muslim, I have found halal tourism a relatable topic. I have been introduced to an entire community in California. It was an enlightening, yet comical experience. I have realized there are more of my mom and dad out there than I thought. The Khan family trip reminded me of my family trips, making this project even more special to me than I initially thought.