Hijrah Journal #5: The Places I have been

Four years ago, I made intention to leave South Africa with my family and migrate to a Muslim land. At the time, my family were unable to travel due to paperwork issues, so I decided to scout ahead and travel to various Muslim lands seeking out a potential hijrah destination. Alhamdulillah, now we are living the digital nomad life, traveling around from Muslim country to Muslim country seeking out a path to visas and residency.

As we landed in Lombok Island, Indonesia a few weeks ago, I realized that I had now spent time in 23 different cities across 10 countries. Over the past two decades, I have spent time in the USA, India, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Türkiye, Malaysia, and Indonesia. This entry is a brief summary of some of the lands I visited, specifically the Muslim lands, and a short review of each as a Hijrah destination.

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How I Travel for Research

Let’s begin with what I do differently when traveling. I tend to avoid the tourist spots and tourist traps. When I travel, I want to learn about how people live, the quality of life, the challenges of life, and especially the quality of life and challenges for immigrants. To do this, I generally book a room or villa in a residential part of a city, away from the tourist district. I tend to travel without an itinerary and treat each day as a unique adventure. I focus on meeting new people and learning about their lives.

During my first trip to Doha in 2024, I arrived without any plans. On my first day, I learned that two of my friends from the USA were also in Doha checking it out as a Hijrah destination. I met up with them, and they introduced me to a Yemeni brother who was going to show them around. I hopped in his car with them, and he gave us a five hour tour of the city, showing us the schools, universities, masjids, and recreational facilities while explaining to us the perks and challenges of living as an immigrant in that city. I learned more about Doha in those five hours than many would in a week-long trip.

Likewise, during my first trip to Istanbul, on my first day I met with an old friend who had recently migrated there. He showed me around the city, and explained to me the benefits and challenges of living there. He also showed me which neighborhoods are better to move to, and taught me a little of the local language and culture. I had similar experiences in my first week in Kuala Lumpur, Lombok, and Saudi Arabia. Everywhere I went, I met people who lived there, especially people who migrated there and learned about the land through their eyes. This helped me make an informed decision regarding Hijrah when we were finally ready to make the move.

During these meetings I tend to ask questions that help me understand life in these lands better. Here are some of the questions I often ask:

1. How easy is it to get a visa and settle in this land?
2. Is it possible to live here for life, and lay down roots for future generations?
3. Is it safe here? What is the crime rate like?
4. Are you happy here? Do you have any regrets moving here?
5. Do scholars have freedom of speech to teach and preach here?
6. Is there any major problems related to xenophobia and racism here?
7. What is the local transportation system like?
8. Is the cost of living affordable and the quality of life good?
9. Is this a good place to raise children, and what education options exist here for them?
10. Is there any country you would prefer to live in over this one?

The Places I Have Been

Here is a brief introduction to the lands I have visited and my initial thoughts of each of them:

Saudi Arabia: The heartland of Islam, I spent more time here than any other country outside of South Africa. There is a lot of love about this land especially when it comes to Islamic culture and religious practice. It is the place we go to when our faith is low and in need of a recharge. I have many fond childhood memories in this land. There are some restrictions and recent political changes that make it difficult for some people to live here, but for many, it remains a good option.

India: I spent a lot of time traveling through India in my youth, and even lived and worked there as a school teacher in my early twenties. India, in general, is not an ideal hijrah location, especially under the current government. Islamaphobia is on the rise and reaching levels of violence, and there are too many problems holding it back from being a place anyone would choose to go to. However, during my travels, I did come across some smaller cities and towns that are majority Muslim and decent places to live in. If someone is forced to move to India, I would recommend seeking out one of these majority Muslim cities.

UAE: The UAE is clean, peaceful, safe, and offers a high quality of life. There are now many more options for staying here long-term. Certain areas have bad reputations but if you seek out a good neighborhood, you will find parts of the UAE that are among the most Islamic neighborhoods on earth. It is really a land where you get what you seek out, whether it is good or bad. Recent politics, however, cause it to rank low on my list of places to visit.

Qatar: Doha is easily my favorite Arab city. It is everything Dubai should have been. Imagine all the good qualities of Dubai, but in a land that has a stronger Islamic identity and more freedom of speech for scholars. Every trip I have made to Doha has been special, and I always enjoy my time there. The only negatives in terms of Hijrah are the high cost of living and lack of paths towards long-term residency. It is a place where people often go to work for a few years, then retire somewhere else.

Türkiye: Istanbul is one of my favorite cities on earth. There is no city I have visited that has more history than this land. You can spend years walking through the streets of Istanbul learning about its history and enjoying the beautiful sights. For tourism, it is at the top of my list. However, currently it ranks low for Hijrah due to difficulty obtaining residency visas, the current economic situation, and the rise of xenophobia in the land. It should be noted though that this is the only country on this list that offers citizenship via investment, so if you have the money, it is a great option.

Malaysia: Malaysia is currently my favorite country in the world, and Kuala Lumpur is my favorite city in the world. In this beautiful land, you get the best of both worlds. A massive megacity with every modern convenience along with some beautiful Islamic neighborhoods, and a culture that is deeply rooted in Islam. Malaysia is currently the most immigrant-friendly destination I have seen, with the largest amount of paths towards long-term visas. I recommend visiting it for 1-3 months to see if it is a good fit for you.

Indonesia: Indonesia is similar to Malaysia but still developing. The currency is weaker, and many paths for underdeveloped. But it is a beautiful land with wonderful people, and a great culture. Paths to long-term visas are easier here than most other countries, and it is a great option for young people looking to make their first move to a Muslim land.

Where to next?

As I currently hop around between these countries while working on paperwork to secure residency visas, let me know if there is any other country I should explore and write about. Every country mentioned above has its pros and cons. Remember that different lands work for different people. Some people may find peace and contentment in a land where others do not. There is no single answer to “where should I move to” and there is no perfect place on earth.

Part of travel is learning to see the good in others and accept that nobody and no land is perfect. Hijrah is not about seeking a utopia, it is simply about finding the place that is best for your faith and your family. The answer to that question will differ based on what you and your family need to live a happy and content life. Do you own research and find the land that suits you best. May Allah guide us all to that which is best for us.

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