Looking Out at the World

For Muslim women like Nazma Begum, traveling in a headscarf brings both challenges and joys.

- Rachel Chang

FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS, I’ve been wearing a headscarf, or a hijab. I was born into the Islamic faith, so I do it for religious reasons. Nobody forced me to wear one—some of my family members do, some don’t. I made the decision one year during the holy month of Ramadan, when I was covering up for prayers. I thought, Why can’t I do this all the time? I’m comfortable wearing a hijab any time I leave the house now, even when I travel.

Growing up, I didn’t travel very much. I was born in Bangladesh, and my parents migrated to Singapore when I was about six. But as soon as I graduated from university, I got married and my husband and I started exploring the world.

Our first big trip was to South Korea—we wanted to experience snow. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any, but I fell in love with traveling. I also love outdoor activities, like hiking and camping. You're going to get sweaty when you're hiking in a hijab, but it’s manageable. Once you reach the top and the wind is blowing, it feels amazing.