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Backpacking through the "Muslim World"

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Backpacking through the "Muslim World"
mulakheya
12/01/02 at 06:43:34
[slm]

I am seriously considering spending this summer backpacking through the "Muslim World."  I am looking for some brothers that might be interested in partnering with me.  I think a good group would be around 4 brothers.

I am in the initial stages of brainstorming/planning but so far this is what I got:

1. Countires to visit (as many as possible from the following): Malaysia,  
   Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Turkey, Yemen, Saudi,
   Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Morroco, Tunis

2. Fly into one end of the world, and then use busses, trains and other  
   public transportation to get around and between each country, then fly
   back home out of the last country on the itenerary.

3. Travel VERY light, with just a backpak (those big ones with backsupport)

4. Sleep in Youth hostels, cheap hotels, masjids (when possible), under the
   stars

5. Using the following website as a guide for planning the trip (its about  
   back packing through Europe but many of the same concepts apply)
  http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/eurobackpack/eurobackpack.html

6. Budget 4-5k (mostly for transportation) ; time frame 1-2 months

7. For logistical purposes everyone should be US passport holders (are Canadians and Brits able to travel as freely?)

8. Im looking for responsible, mature, energetic, low-maintence brothers, positive brothers to join

So... Is anyone interested, does anyone know someone who might be?  Do you have any suggestions or comment about this idea?

Also if you know how else I can find brothers for this trip (other lists and boards to post to) please let me know.

Looking forward to your replys.

[wlm]
Re: Backpacking through the "Muslim World"
BroHanif
12/04/02 at 03:52:58
Mashallah,
Travel in Allahs land and you'll see so many beautiful places, people and culture.
I think if you ask the bros in your community then that may be a start,
you could alos get some information posted on a website so everyone could have a look at whats happening, for example, date setting off, where you going first etc etc.
As for other sites try the Young Muslims in the UK they're into these activities. More later.

Salaams
Hanif
NS
Re: Backpacking through the "Muslim World"
Tesseract
12/05/02 at 02:17:24

Assalamu 'Alaikum wa Rahmatullah,

      Just a suggestion! Perhaps, u can spend the same amount of money and time in learning ur deen by going to Madina or Syria etc.

Wassalam.
Re: Backpacking through the "Muslim World"
theOriginal
12/07/02 at 10:41:12
[slm]

Sounds like so much fun.

A potential problem:  Americans are disliked in that part of the world.  This was, in fact, the case even before the rise in the tension, where my American friends would travel with Canadian flags sown to their backpacks when traveling.   8)  It might even be a greater problem now, yeh?

Met some really weird people when I was working for the NPA....rented a truck in Norway, and DROVE DOWN to South Africa and back.  The trip lasted 8 months, including their 3 week stay in Jail.  lol.

Good luck...I think despite all of that...it sounds like a lot of fun...

Wasalaam.

SF.


Re: Backpacking through the "Muslim World"
Abu_Sashimi
01/12/03 at 12:36:34
[slm]

I've always wanted to do the same thing. I realize though, if I had that amount of money and time, I'd first and foremost fulfill my obligation to Hajj. I advise everyone the same In Sha Allah.  ;)

My first ideal "Muslim world" travelling experience would be to walk to Hajj, like the way the elders used to. I would like to start off in Morocco and perhaps travel with a Bedouin family, who still travel across borders in the Sahara to make Hajj, even today In Sha Allah. It would be a great experience. Perhaps we can learn the ancient art of travelling by the stars.

I think the trip would take about 3-4 months. This would mean 3-4 months with no communication with friends and family, unless we carry with us a satelite phone. After crossing the African desert and reaching Egypt, we can take a boat across to Arabia and head over to the appropriate places for Hajj. What do you guys think?  ;D

Another ideal trip would be to head to Makkah from China or Japan. After visiting the Muslim community in Japan, we can head over to China and take a bus or train to the Western province of Xinjiang, where there are ethnic Chinese Muslims and those Muslims from the nearby states. I would love to come here to study also, caligraphy, falconry, equestrian, etc.

Then after that we can head towards Makkah, again perhaps with the company of natives who may not have the money to fly by plane to make Hajj and resort to either drive or walk. I'd like to walk.  :D

Well this is just my fantasy, which I hope to be true one day In Sha Allah. Unless I get married, then forget about it! HAHA  :-/ JK! In Sha Allah, maybe I'll be blessed with a wife who'd want to do this...  :)

This is my first post. It's great to be part of this community. You guys are doing a great job. May Allah reward you all. Amin.

Al-Hamdu Lillah Jazakum Allahu Khayra.
Re: Backpacking through the "Muslim World"
Aadhil
01/12/03 at 21:31:52
[slm]
It has always been my opinion that whoever has not read the book "the difficult journey" hasnt lived! :-* Its written by ahmed thomson who travelled through the Mid-east on a journey to mecca, with the intention for hajj, with only a few supplies in a bag and his papers. Now thats what I would wanna do! ;-)
[slm]
Re: Backpacking through the "Muslim World"
salaampeaceshalom
01/16/03 at 18:53:59
[slm]

I don't know if this is a strictly brothers' conversation, but I am so amazed.  This is something that I would love to do myself.  But as ur porbably aware, being  female makes things slightly difficult at the best of times.  

I would love to do all these suggestions, especially the walking and meeting natives, that'll be so incredible.  I read the Thompson bk awhile ago, and doesn't it just make u feel like getting up and travelling?!

And to the other bro, insh'Allaah u'll find a wife similar minded to you.  Trust me there are a lot of sisters who would love to do stuff like this, me included!!

To the bro who started this, I hope u get to go and have a fantastic time.  Maybe u could write bk throughout ur voyage and update us as to where u r and what everything's like.

[wlm]

p.s. excuse me if this was one of those conversations where sisters aren't allowed!! I wasn't sure.
Re: Backpacking through the "Muslim World"
jannah
01/16/03 at 22:28:08
[slm]

It's not against the rules to post in the brothers forum, but I think the sisters tend to take over sometimes and we post in here all the time... let's give 'em some space every now and then and if there's a burning issue we can discuss it in akhwat... we have a pool and it's nicer :D
Re: Backpacking through the "Muslim World"
BroHanif
01/17/03 at 18:28:48
Has anyone read Travels of Ibn Batuta ???

Ibn Batuta , 1304?–1378?, Muslim traveler, b. Tangier. No other medieval traveler is known to have journeyed so extensively. In 30 years (from c. 1325) he made a series of journeys recorded in a dictated account. He traveled overland in North Africa and Syria to make the pilgrimage to Mecca. Afterward he visited Arabia, Mesopotamia, Persia, and Asia Minor. He made a journey by way of Samarkand to India, where he resided for almost eight years at the court of the sultan of Delhi, who sent him to China as one of his ambassadors. Ibn Batuta visited the Maldives, the Malabar coast, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and Sumatra. He returned c. 1350 to Tangier. Later he went to Spain, then to Morocco, and from there he crossed the Sahara to visit Timbuktu and the Niger River. Batuta is still considered a most reliable source for the geography of his period and an authority on the cultural and social history of Islam. For annotated selections from his writings, see Travels of Ibn BattUta (tr. by H. A. R. Gibb, 3 vol., rev. ed. 1958–71).

Now thats what I call travelling!.

[quote]we have a pool and it's nicer [/quote]
From what I've heard its not much more than a paddling pool and its very, very cold.
NS
Re: Backpacking through the "Muslim World"
M.F.
01/20/03 at 08:39:41
[quote author=Uncle Hanif link=board=bro;num=1038743014;start=0#8 date=01/17/03 at 18:28:48]
From what I've heard its not much more than a paddling pool and its very, very cold.
[/quote]
You're just saying that cause the IHC is so stinky and sweaty no one wants to come in anymore.  You wish you could juust have a little paddling pool to cool off.

I think it would take closer to a year to walk to Makkah from Morocco.  Good luck getting through Algeria :)  Going by train/bus combination would be interesting.  That would take about a month if you stopped to visit different places.  
Don't sew any flag onto your backpack.  Ok Americans aren't very appreciated around here these days but if you're an American [i]Muslim[/i] you'll be loved, everyone will want to invite you to their homes.  
Anyone ever read "the kindness of strangers?"  It's by a guy who hitchiked accross America with no cash or credit cards.  Most Americans are a lot more generous than one would think (this was only a few years ago).  It would be a very interesting experience to do that in the Muslim world.  "Test" Muslims' hospitality....


NS
Re: Backpacking through the "Muslim World"
NinthMuharram
01/21/03 at 22:43:17
My friend just completed her backpacking journey that started from Egypt and ended in London. Well, actually she started in London, flew to Egypt and took the bus from there onwards.

London -->Egypt --> Jordan --> Syria --> Turkey --> Greece --> Czech --> Paris Flew back to London.

She started in November 02 and completed her journey in Jan 03 . What amazed me, even when a lot of ppl feel that middle east was not safe sp now, she didn't let that stopped her from travelling thru the land.
Re: Backpacking through the "Muslim World"
sister2sister
01/27/03 at 22:23:22
Salaam to all

I think guys are sooooooo lucky!!! They can get these urges to go someplace and  just go, us sisters have to worry about mahrams.  I love travelling, travelling throughout the Islamic World would be a dream come true for me.  Good luck brother!! Hope your trip becomes a reality for you.  For those of us who are stuck behind, maybe you can keep a detailed journal for us. :).


YSII :-)


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