Assalaamu ‘alaykoum!
We are Azeddine and Eileen, a Muslim couple from Belgium and the Netherlands with roots in Morocco and Indonesia. At the end of 2023, shortly after getting married, we made a decision that changed our lives: we left our jobs and set off on a one-year journey through Southeast Asia. What started as a dream to see new places gradually turned into something 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 experienced the challenges many Muslim travelers face, from finding halal food and prayer facilities to knowing which destinations truly accommodate a Muslim-friendly lifestyle.
What if we didn’t have to stay stuck, but could build a different life?
When we returned to Europe, we knew we didn’t want to go back to our old way of living. We sold our house in the Netherlands and decided to work towards hijra: moving to Southeast Asia and settling in a Muslim-majority country.
Throughout 2025, we worked hard, saved as much as we could, and put our trust in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. One year later we had opportunity to relocate to Lombok, Indonesia, which we now call home. Alhamdoulilah.
Making hijrah to Indonesia has allowed us to live in a Muslim-majority country where hearing the adhan, praying in the mosque, eating halal, and being surrounded by a strong Muslim community are simply part of everyday life.
After our travels, we launched @halaltravelasia on Instagram and TikTok to share the information we wished we had ourselves. We started posting about halal food options, mosques, accommodations, and travel tips to help Muslims travelers explore with confidence.
What began as a passion project quickly grew into a community of travelers from around the world who shared the same goal: exploring new destinations without compromising their values.
Our mission is to inspire Muslim travelers to explore Asia with confidence, intention, and peace of mind. We believe travel is one of life’s most rewarding experiences. It allows us to learn, grow, connect with different cultures, and appreciate the beauty of Allah’s creation.
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.
