Muslim women are on the rise. As the dominating voice in the Halal travel industry, now we are seeing more and more Muslim women charting their own journey, be it as travelers themselves or as professional tourism players.
For our first episode in this Ruhfar personality series, we chat with Shelinaz Sookoor, the Co-Founder & Director for Estiaco Holidays & Halal Travel Sri Lanka.
As a mom of two, a tourism professional with many hats, how can one juggle it all? In this interview, she shared some insights into her challenges and early-day stages of pursuing this path as a tourism professional based in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Coinciding with Breastfeeding Week — which takes place on the first week of August each year — this interview couldn’t be more meaningful. Read on as she also shared a couple of tips and real-life experiences for mommies out there who are thinking of navigating the nuances of traveling with a baby.
Being A Muslim Woman In Sri Lanka’s Travel Industry, How Has That Been?
Honestly, it hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been meaningful.
I wasn’t always a hijabi too. I embraced it only after my second child turned three.
As a woman in Sri Lanka’s travel industry, I’ve often felt like I’m creating space in an environment where not many look like me or share my lifestyle.
There aren’t many Muslim women on the frontlines of Sri Lanka’s tourism. We’re behind the scenes.
But maybe that’s exactly why I’ve kept going, because representation matters and every step forward opens the door for someone else.
I’d love to see more of us leading, guiding, and even building our own travel brands. That’s partly why I started Halal Travel Sri Lanka, I saw a gap and I knew if I was looking for faith-friendly modest experiences, other women were too.
How Is It Like On The Traveler Side Of Things In Sri Lanka?
On the traveler side, things are changing.
More Muslim women are traveling solo, some with friends & others with kids.
They want to explore, but they also want to feel safe, respected and seen. Our tours try to reflect that.
In fact, we’re hoping to launch women-only trips soon.
Something soft, spiritual, and fun. Not for luxury or for show, but a space to breathe.
Usually, Women Travel For Their Inner Well-being. What Does Sri Lanka & The Maldives Have That You Simply Can’t Find Elsewhere?
For me, it’s the way time slows down.
In Sri Lanka, I love driving through misty tea fields or sitting near a beach at sunset. It reminds me that peace doesn’t have to be loud.
In the Maldives, it’s the ocean.
Just watching the waves, hearing your own thoughts, praying Fajr with the sea breeze, it stays with you.
I remember one trip when I breastfed my baby right on the beach at sunset. It felt like the whole world paused for a moment. That kind of stillness is rare.
You don’t need to go far to feel renewed. Sometimes, a few days in nature, good food, and silence can reset you completely.
Breastfeeding While Traveling: Planning with Heart & Moving With Grace
My breastfeeding journey, especially while traveling, started long before I wore the hijab. It was raw, real, and unexpectedly empowering.
Breastfeeding and travel are two beautiful journeys, but neither follows a set script.
During those early years, I traveled often for work and family.
As a mum of two and someone working in the travel industry, I quickly learned that while planning helps, being flexible matters even more.
Essential Breasfeeding-on-the-move kit?
Before each trip, I’d pack a small nursing kit, a soft cover with a flexible top opening which is my absolute essential, extra breast pads, and always, a water bottle to stay hydrated.
I’d wear loose, front or side-open outfits that made feeding easier, whether it was in the backseat of a moving car, an airport lounge, or tucked in the corner at a wedding.
Thinking Ahead Of The Travels & Memorable + Awkward Feeding Moments
I tried to think ahead (of my #travelfeeding journey) —Will we be stopping during this long drive? Will I get a quiet moment in between meetings? But I also had to let go of the idea of the ‘perfect setting’.
Some of my most memorable feeds happened in unexpected places, cradling my baby in the backseat while the world rushed by or nursing quietly inside a van during a family road trip break.
There were awkward moments too. The tight spaces, lingering stares, the emotional drain of always being “on”. But every feed reminded me to slow down. To stay present. It taught me patience, resilience, and to trust my instincts.
If you’re preparing to travel while breastfeeding, pack what makes you feel at ease, be it your favorite nursing wrap or just a calm mindset.
You don’t need ideal conditions, just quiet courage. You’ve got this. And your baby will feel it.
Journeying Through As A Mompreneur?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, especially as a mum, a co-founder, and a woman who wears many hats, it’s that travel can be part of your healing.
You don’t have to leave your faith behind to explore the world. You can carry both your deen and your passport side by side.
That’s what I’ve built with Halal Travel Sri Lanka. Experiences designed for us. Travel that feels safe, spiritually conscious, and deeply enriching.
Your Tips For Muslimahs Who Are Traveling Alone? For Sri Lanka And The Maldives?
- Stay somewhere that understands your needs—safe, private and respectful.
- Keep your wardrobe simple and comfy. You don’t have to overthink what to wear in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Both are friendly to those who dress modestly.
- If you’re booking the holidays, try going through a trusted local DMC (we offer female guide options if needed).
- Save emergency numbers and let someone know your plans. Not to scare you but it just makes things smoother.
- And finally, trust your gut. If something feels off, move away. If it feels right, lean into it.
Coming Soon: Women-only Tours In Sri Lanka
I’m especially excited to share something close to my heart. We’re currently working on a women-only tour under Halal Travel Sri Lanka. It’s something I’ve dreamed of offering.
A safe, soul-nourishing space for Muslim women to explore Sri Lanka in comfort with halal food, nature escapes, spiritual pauses, sisterhood, and the kind of stillness we often forget to give ourselves.
Whether you’re a mum in need of a break, a solo traveler seeking peace, or a group of sisters looking for something meaningful.
If you’d like to be part of the group or simply stay in the loop, feel free to follow our journey either via DM on Instagram at @halaltravelsrilanka; or visit Estiaco Holidays if you’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka or the Maldives.
In sha Allah, we’ll be ready to welcome you soon.
