Assalaamu ‘alaykoum!
We are Azeddine and Eileen, a Muslim couple originally from Belgium and the Netherlands. At the end of 2023, shortly after getting married, we made a bold decision: to leave our jobs and spend one full year traveling through Southeast Asia. What began as a journey across countries soon became a journey inward — one that reshaped our values, priorities, and vision for the future.
As we moved from city to city and island to island, we experienced the beauty, warmth, and diversity of Southeast Asia. At the same time, we faced the uncertainties many Muslim travelers know well: questions about halal food, prayer spaces, and whether travel could truly align with our faith without compromise. Those moments planted the seeds for something greater.
What if we choose to not be stuck here and explore a way out?
When we returned to Europe, we knew we could not return to our old way of life. Instead, we chose change. We sold our house in The Netherlands and set a clear intention: to build a new life in Southeast Asia, closer to the places and communities that had inspired us so deeply.
Throughout 2025, we worked relentlessly, saved with discipline, and trusted in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى. By the end of the year, we fulfilled that intention and relocated to Lombok, Indonesia, where we now live. Living in Indonesia allows us to build our lives around our Islamic values and faith, experiencing a Muslim-friendly environment not as visitors, but as everyday reality.
After our travels, we launched @halaltravelasia on Instagram and TikTok to share honest, practical insights into Muslim-friendly travel across Asia. What began as simple storytelling quickly resonated with travelers from around the world.
The growth of our community confirmed something we deeply believe: Muslim travelers are seeking more than destinations. We are seeking reassurance, clarity, and inspiration to explore the world without leaving our Islamic values behind.
We want to inspire and support Muslim travelers to explore Asia with confidence, intention, and peace of mind.
Travel isn’t just about places, it’s about what it does to you. It can bring you closer to your Deen, shift your perspective, and connect you with people in a real way. We don’t look at halal travel as something restrictive. It’s simply a more conscious way of moving through the world.
Our move to Lombok was more than a relocation — it was our Hijrah. A conscious decision to realign our lives with faith, intention, and simplicity.
Hijrah looks different for everyone. For us, it meant letting go of comfort, trusting Allah’s plan, and choosing a life shaped by purpose rather than routine. It is an ongoing journey of growth, patience, and gratitude.
If our story resonates with you, we invite you to read more about our Hijrah, the challenges we faced, and the lessons we continue to learn along the way.
We collaborate with hotels, restaurants, destinations, and travel brands that align with our values.
If you are interested in working with us and reaching a global Muslim travel audience, we would love to hear from you via halaltravelasia@gmail.com.
