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Islamic Lifestyle
How Muslim women-friendly travel is gaining ground

For many Muslim women, planning a holiday goes far beyond booking flights and hotels. It often involves a meticulous checklist - scouring restaurant for halal or vegetarian options, locating mosques that offer prayer spaces for women, and conducting safety checks on the destination.

Whether wearing a hijab or a niqab, or hoping to swim in a burkini, the question isn't just where to go, but whether they’ll be welcomed when they do.

But the landscape is shifting, driven by a wave of grassroots initiatives that are actively reshaping the travel experience for Muslim women.

Life-changing expeditions

One of the most influential players in this space is The Wanderlust Women, a hiking and adventure group founded in 2020 by Amira Patel. What began as a response to the lack of representation of Muslim women in outdoor spaces has evolved into a global movement.

“That inspired me to create a safe, empowering space for Muslim women to reconnect - not just with nature, but with themselves and their Creator as a Muslim,” Patel tells Salaam Gateway.

Since its inception, the group has grown beyond local hiking trails in the UK to lead international expeditions. Its trips have taken women to the mountains of northern Pakistan and Morocco, the Arctic wilderness of Svalbard, horseback trails in Kyrgyzstan, and even safaris across Tanzania.

“Women are looking for more than just a holiday. These are not holidays; these are life-changing experiences, expeditions,” says Patel. “They want healing, connection, and community.”

Although social media has helped amplify their reach, she credits their rapid growth primarily to word of mouth. “The transformation women experience on these trips speaks for itself - they come back changed, and they share that.”

The Wanderlust Women intentionally selects destinations that are either Muslim-majority or culturally sensitive, offering halal meals, prayer breaks, and activities like trekking and scuba diving, all complemented by spiritual practices such as dhikr circles and Quran journaling. 

Places like Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Zanzibar, and parts of Central Asia have become favorites for their blend of natural beauty and cultural familiarity.

Global explorers bound by faith

Another major player leading the charge is the Muslim Women Travel Group (MWTG). Founded in 2015, the initiative started as a modest Facebook group and is now a flourishing global network, connecting tens of thousands of like-minded women the world over.

Sadia Ramzan, founder and director of MWTG, says the idea was deeply personal.

“As a single mother with a deep love for travel, I often found it difficult to find someone to travel with who shared my values. I was fortunate to have my sister accompany me on many trips, but I quickly realized not everyone has that support system," Ramzan tells Salaam Gateway. 

“Our mission is to make the world feel more open, accessible, and safe for Muslim women, without requiring them to compromise their faith, modesty, or cultural identity. We’ve created a space where you can belong, explore, and travel confidently.”

The trend has gathered pace. The community includes over 50,000 members on its private Facebook group, nearly 30,000 Instagram followers, 11,000 TikTok followers, and 5,000 newsletter subscribers. Their trips, once limited to a few UK-based getaways, now span Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and even Antarctica.

“In 2023 and 2024 alone, we sold out trips to Mongolia, Japan and South Korea, Jordan, and Thailand - some in under 48 hours,” Ramzan says. “This growth has been fueled by word of mouth, authentic storytelling, and a growing recognition that Muslim women want and deserve culturally conscious, empowering travel experiences.”

What Muslim women travelers want

An estimated 82% of women are known to make majority of travel decisions globally, according to Skift Research. But the expectations of Muslim women travelers go far beyond the basics.

“Today’s Muslim women travelers are looking for more than just halal food and a prayer mat; they’re seeking representation, safety, authenticity, and the freedom to be themselves while exploring the world,” says Ramzan.

This translates into thoughtful itineraries that include female-only spas, dry hotels, and even skydiving with female instructors. Trips organized by MWTG are led by experienced women and often employ female staff across the entire supply chain.

“We work with women where possible throughout our supply chain, not only because it's our preference, but because we want to give back to local women in tourism, especially in regions where they are underpaid or overlooked,” Ramzan adds.

Shifting perceptions

Despite the momentum, Muslim-friendly adventure travel faces significant hurdles, from logistical gaps to entrenched stereotypes.

“Finding local guides, accommodation, and transport that align with our values isn’t always easy, especially in remote regions,” says Patel.

“Sometimes people don’t understand why a group of Muslim women want to climb a mountain or travel alone. But with time, patience, and community-building, we work to shift that perspective.”

Ramzan also points to the challenges posed by a travel industry that has yet to fully embrace the diversity within Muslim communities.

“There’s a lingering stereotype that Muslim women don’t travel or aren’t adventurous, which couldn’t be further from the truth,” she says.

“Our community includes women who have broken records climbing mountains, walked on the world’s seventh continent, camped on icebergs, and kayaked through deltas in deadly waters.”

Addressing access issues in less familiar destinations is also an ongoing challenge. “From negotiating with hotels to provide private spa or pool access, to ensuring halal meals in remote regions, it often requires extra planning and relationship-building on the ground,” says Ramzan.

MWTG works directly with local partners to educate them and build mutually respectful relationships, making each experience more seamless for future groups.

Affordability coupled with the Gen Z factor

Affordability is central to this movement. According to the Mastercard-CrescentRating Muslim Gen Z Travel Report 2023, 53% of Gen Z Muslim women aim to spend under $150 per day while traveling.

Companies like Sisters Getaway, which has hosted more than 600 women on over 40 retreats in Zanzibar, Morocco, and Spain, offer monthly installment plans to make travel more accessible. Similarly, MWTG’s flexible payment options have made bucket-list destinations like Japan and Antarctica within reach. 

Looking ahead, Ramzan hopes to create a social enterprise arm that offers subsidized trips or bursary-style support for women who may otherwise never have the opportunity to travel.

As Muslim women-focused travel companies continue to expand and redefine the industry, the message is clear: this is more than a trend - it’s a transformative movement that is aiming to make tourism more inclusive, adventurous, and unapologetically faith-driven.
 

Islamic Finance
Profit at Saudi’s PIF dips to $6.9bn as assets, revenue rise 

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund recorded a significant drop in net profit for 2024, impacted by rising interest rates, inflation and impairment losses. 

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) raked in $6.88 billion (25.8 billion Saudi riyals) in net profit last year, falling 60% from $17.18 billion (64.43 billion Saudi riyals) in 2023. 

The drop in net profit, which resulted from “adjustments to operational plans and cost estimates”, totalled less than 2% of total assets, state-run Saudi Press Agency said.  

The fund’s top line grew from $88 billion (331 billion Saudi riyals) in 2023 to $115 billion (431 billion Saudi riyals) last year. Assets increased 18% from $977 billion (3.66 trillion Saudi riyals) at the end of 2023 to $1.15 trillion (4.32 trillion Saudi riyals)  by December 2024. 

PIF attributed revenue growth to increased earnings from several of its major portfolio companies, including Savvy Games Group, Ma’aden, STC, NCB, AviLease, and Gulf International Bank, dividend inflows from its crown jewel, Aramco, as well as returns from key projects.

Cash reserves dropped from 329.8 billion Saudi riyals in 2023 to 316 billion Saudi riyals in 2024. Loans and borrowings rose from 466 billion Saudi riyals in 2023 to 570 billion Saudi riyals to 2024.

The fund diversified its funding sources last year, including a $2 billion dollar-denominated Sukuk issuance, a £650 million debut bond issuance in British pounds, and a $15 billion refinancing of revolving credit facilities. Debt-to-asset ratio rose marginally to 13% last year. 

 

OIC Economies
Iran’s fragile state could trigger a change in government 

Iran is facing pressing economic and social challenges, exhibiting signs of state failure, according to analysts.

The country’s existing problems were exacerbated by the recent military clash with Israel. 

“The conflict imposed significant economic costs on Iran, estimated between $24-35 billion, or 6.3-9.2% of its GDP,” Khalid Al Terkawi, economic consultant at Jusoor Studies Centre told Salaam Gateway. 

“It exacerbated existing challenges like sanctions, mismanagement, and chronic shortages. This led to currency devaluation, severe trade deficits, and high inflation. Essential goods shortages and worsening power outages also occurred.” 

A 12-day conflict erupted on June 13, after Israel launched air strikes on Iranian miliary and nuclear sites, targeting its top military brass and several nuclear scientists as well as prompting Iranian military retaliation.

The US entered the clash on June 22, attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities, and later brokered a ceasefire after Iran attacked its airbase in Qatar. 

Iran was already contesting with grave economic challenges prior to its military showdown with Israel. The International Monetary Fund projects Iran’s economy to grow by a non-descript 0.3 per cent in 2025, downgraded from the fund’s last October forecast of 3.1 percent. It is expected to grow 1.1 per cent next year, the fund said in May.

Inflation is expected to soar from 32.6 percent last year, to 43.3 percent in 2025, before easing slightly to 42.5 percent next year, the IMF said in April. 

Kristalina Georgieva, the fund’s managing director told Bloomberg TV this month that the US attacks on Iran were another source of uncertainty in an already highly uncertain environment. 

Iranian rial plummeted with its free-market exchange rate at about 95,700 rials to a dollar at 4am Iran time on June 13, according to Bonbast.com. 

Tehran’s stock exchange reopened on June 28 after a nine-day closure, with more than 99% listed companies trading in red on the first day. The main index reportedly fell by 62,503 points, closing at 2,922,101. 

A state collapse can trigger a change in government, as the state loses its ability to perform, says Al Terkawi. 

“Mechanisms include the emergence of new independent states, replacement of the existing government, or internal conflicts. Iran exhibits high state fragility, with its 2024 Fragile States Index score is 82.90. Following the conflict, the regime intensified internal security crackdowns, including mass arrests and executions, to suppress dissent.” 

The conflict also delivered a "severe blow" to the West Asia tourism sector, leading to widespread flight cancellations and a sharp decline in international arrivals to Iran, he added. 

The country welcomed 7.4 million foreign tourists in the 12 months, starting March 21, 2024, with the aim to increase the figure to 15 million within the next four years. The recent clash may dent Iran's tourism plans, at least in the short-term. 

An unexpected change in internal Iranian politics could also dramatically alter the country's foreign policy equation and reset the gameplan for foreign intervention.

"Does something happen to the Iranian regime that would be a game changer?” asked Jon Finer, distinguished fellow at the Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy in a June 26 webinar. "A coup of some kind, a collapse of some kind, a popular uprising?”  

OIC Economies
OIC roundup: Oman, Uzbekistan ink deals to expand air links, trade

Here's a roundup of key developments across the OIC ecosystem during June

 

Editor's note: Its partnership season across the OIC canvas, with Oman looking to strengthen cooperation with Uzbekistan and Algeria. 

 

Then, there's Malaysia seeking to extend ties with Guinea-Bissau with key Islamic economy sectors at the centre. Qatar and Pakistan are exploring economic cooperation, too. 

 

Trade Developments


Malaysia / Guinea-Bissau

M'sia, Guinea-Bissau extend ties with focus on Islamic economy sectors

Malaysia and Guinea-Bissau have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, focusing on key sectors such as the halal industry, Islamic finance, energy, and capacity building.

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim encouraged Malaysian corporations, including PETRONAS and FGV Holdings, to explore opportunities in Guinea-Bissau and use it as a base to expand into Africa and beyond. (The Star)

 

Oman / Uzbekistan

Oman, Uzbekistan ink deals to expand air links, trade

Oman and Uzbekistan have signed agreements to expand air transport rights and strengthen logistical cooperation, with the goal of boosting trade and investment ties between the two nations.

 

The agreements were made during the fifth session of the Omani-Uzbek Joint Committee in Tashkent.

 

The accords include increasing operating rights for airlines, supporting the re-export of Uzbek products through Omani ports, and enhancing cooperation in scientific research and innovation. (Zawya)

 

Qatar / Pakistan

Qatar, Pakistan explore economic cooperation

Qatar Chamber General Manager Ali Boushraibek Al Mansouri hosted a delegation from the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Pakistan, led by President Ikram ul Haq.

 

The meeting focused on enhancing trade and economic cooperation between Qatar and Pakistan, as well as strengthening institutional collaboration between the two chambers to support private sector engagement and increase bilateral trade and investment. (The Peninsula)

 

Oman / Algeria

Oman and Algeria explore ways to strengthen economic links

The Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion for Oman, held meetings with several Algerian Ministers and senior officials to discuss ways to enhance economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Oman and Algeria. (Foreign Ministry of Oman)

 

UAE / Uzbekistan

Dubai Chambers hosts Dubai-Uzbekistan Business Seminar

Dubai Chambers hosted a high-level delegation from Uzbekistan, led by Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, at the Dubai-Uzbekistan Business Seminar.

 

The event, attended by around 100 businessmen, aimed to strengthen economic cooperation and explore opportunities to increase bilateral trade and investments. (Zawya)

 

Investment


Mauritania

Mauritania raises $2bn pledge from Arab Coordination Group 

Mauritania's national development program received a significant boost with a $2 billion pledge from the Arab Coordination Group during a high-level roundtable in Vienna, Austria.

 

The event, chaired by Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, was hosted by the OPEC Fund for International Development. 

 

OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa emphasized the group’s commitment to supporting Mauritania’s development, mobilizing collective resources to translate its ambitions into actionable outcomes. (IsDB News)

Islamic Lifestyle
Islamic lifestyle roundup: Türkiye among top destinations for Muslim travelers

Here's a roundup of key developments across the Islamic lifestyle ecosystem in June

 

Editor's note: Muslim travelers are becoming a force to reckon with, encouraging countries such as Germany and Cambodia to launch initiatives to beckon them. Meanwhile, Turkiye builds on its successes to become the second most preferred global destination for Muslim tourists. 

 

 

Trade Developments


Cambodia

Cambodia enhancing halal tourism to attract Muslim travellers

Cambodia is enhancing its appeal to Muslim travelers by improving halal offerings and prayer facilities, as part of a broader strategy to become a more inclusive destination for visitors from Muslim-majority countries.

 

In a press conference on June 4, Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia Santo Darmosumarto discussed tourism initiatives between Indonesia and Cambodia, emphasizing Cambodia's efforts to be more Muslim-friendly. (Borneo Bulletin)

 

Türkiye

Türkiye climbs to second spot among global destinations for Muslim travelers

Türkiye has been ranked as the second most favored travel destination for Muslim tourists globally, according to a recent report on Muslim travel preferences.

 

The country's rich Islamic heritage, diverse tourism offerings, and inclusive hospitality were cited as key factors contributing to this achievement.

 

Türkiye now stands alongside Saudi Arabia and the UAE, just behind Malaysia, which remains the leader due to its extensive halal-friendly services. (Travel and Tour World)

 

Macau

Macau urged to tap Muslim tourism market

Macau has been included in the Global Muslim Travel Index for the first time, earning top rankings in key categories for non-OIC destinations.

 

Published by CrescentRating and Mastercard, the index ranked Macau 5th globally in the Muslim women-friendly destination category and 16th overall as a Muslim-friendly destination.

 

The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has worked to create a halal-friendly environment and promote the city to Muslim travelers, particularly from Southeast Asia and the Middle East. (Macau Daily Times)

 

Germany

Germany creates halal travel guide

In June 2025, the German National Tourist Board introduced its first-ever Germany Halal Travel Guide, marking a milestone in the global tourism sector.

 

Initially released in English, with an Arabic version to follow, the guide highlights four of Germany’s most popular and historically significant cities: Munich, Düsseldorf, Dresden, and Berlin.

 

These cities were selected for their popularity and their ability to cater to Muslim travelers, offering services and facilities that align with Islamic practices. (Travel and Tour World)

 

 

 

Operational Development


Saudi Arabia

World’s largest cooling system activated at Grand Mosque for Hajj

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has activated the world's largest cooling system in preparation for the Hajj season.

 

The system has a total cooling capacity of 155,000 tons, with two main stations: Al-Shamiya Station (120,000 tons) and Ajyad Station (35,000 tons). These stations cover the entire Grand Mosque complex, including all expansion areas, ensuring comfortable temperatures between 22°C and 24°C for pilgrims. (Saudi Gazette)

 

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Civil Defence launches AI-powered drone for Hajj operations

The General Directorate of Saudi Civil Defense deployed the advanced "Falcon" drone equipped with artificial intelligence as part of its operational plans for the Hajj season.

 

The Falcon drone is designed for firefighting and rescue operations in high-altitude or hard-to-reach areas. It can operate for up to 12 hours and carry a 40-kilogram payload. (Sharjah24)

Islamic Lifestyle
How Saudi Arabia is turning religious tourism into a growth engine

Like millions of Muslims worldwide, when 72-year-old Ahmad traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj with his son and grandchildren, he was struck by how much had changed since his first pilgrimage in 1987.

Recalling his parents’ experiences, who had sailed from Pakistan and relied on acquaintances and makeshift shelters back in the 1960s, the change was even more startling.

From e-visa registrations to climate-controlled tents and real-time crowd monitoring, everything was more coordinated and streamlined as Saudi Arabia continues its attempt to strengthen its tourism sector, backed by the rising number of religious devotees.

Religious tourism as a core growth engine
When Saudi Arabia launched its Vision 2030 plan in 2016, tourism was positioned as a key pillar of economic diversification, with religious travel viewed as the kingdom's most scalable and dependable asset. Nearly a decade later, the results are surpassing initial benchmarks.

In 2024, over 18.5 million pilgrims visited the kingdom - 16.9 million for Umrah and 1.61 million for Hajj, according to data reported by Skift and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The goal is to welcome 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030.

According to the kingdom's General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), 1.67 million pilgrims performed Hajj in 2025, with the vast majority - 1.51 million people from 171 countries - arriving from abroad.

Breaking the numbers down further, in 2025, air travel dominated arrivals (1.58 million), while land and sea routes together accounted for 8%. 

The demographic split between men and women was almost down the middle, with 878,000 and 795,000, respectively. There were only 10% Saudi nationals for Hajj, which illustrates that the annual pilgrimage remains, first and foremost, a global gathering.  

While the total attendance dropped  8.5% from 1,833,164 pilgrims recorded in 2024, Hajj 2025 remained the world's largest coordinated religious convention. 

The other main pilgrimage is Umrah, which, unlike Hajj, operates year-round and continues to drive volume growth.

According to GASTAT and the Ministry of Hajj, 6.5 million international visitors performed Umrah in the first quarter of 2025 alone, an 11% jump on the previous year.

This was owed to an expanded e-visa scheme that now covers more than 60 countries and to an airline network rapidly stitching new routes across Asia and Africa.

Vital contribution 

Religious tourism contributes roughly $12 billion annually to Saudi Arabia's economy, making up nearly 20% of the non-oil economy and around 7% of the total GDP, according to Astrolabs Insights 2024. 

Spending data from Visa's Travel Pulse Index for Ramadan 2025 showed a 162% year-on-year surge in Makkah during the holy month, with food and beverage comprising 27% of transactions, followed by accommodation and transport.

In Madinah, spending rose 64% during the same period, with official data suggesting pilgrims typically spend between $1,300 - $4,000 per trip, depending on the package and duration. 

The sector also delivers employment opportunities. In 2023, religious tourism supported over 936,000 jobs, with projections rising to 1.6 million by 2030 as Umrah capacity and infrastructure grow.

Megaprojects building a pilgrim metropolis
Saudi Arabia's infrastructure investments under its Vision 2030 transformation agenda are reshaping the physical landscape of pilgrimage.

From hotel expansions to rail upgrades and enhanced airport capacity, these megaprojects are designed to scale the volume and quality of religious tourism.

In Makkah, the Masar Destination project on King Abdulaziz Road, is a $26.6 billion mixed-use corridor, which will host 24,000 hotel rooms and 13,000 residential units, accommodating up to 158,000 pilgrims annually.

The Rua Al Madinah redevelopment in Madinah reportedly spans 1.5 million square meters and will add 47,000 keys, host 149,000 visitors, and create 93,000 jobs across hospitality, transport, and retail.

Radisson Hotel Group also announced two new properties in Madinah with further expansion planned, citing the city's more stable, year-round demand. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts plans to open 100 Super 8 hotels by 2030, many in Makkah and Madinah's mid-market segment.

In addition to this, major upgrades in air and rail are also underway. For instance, the King Salman International Airport in Riyadh will feature six runways and handle up to 120 million passengers annually by 2030, with a capacity set to reach 185 million by 2050. 

The Haramain High-Speed Railway added two million seats in 2025, and transported nearly 70% of international Umrah pilgrims this year between Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah in under 45 minutes. 

During Hajj, the Mashair Metro supported last-mile transport, moving up to 72,000 passengers per hour across key ritual sites, including Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah, Jamarat, and the Grand Mosque.

Digital pilgrim and smart Hajj
Saudi Arabia's Smart Hajj initiative is transforming the pilgrimage experience through AI, mobile platforms, and real-time data systems.

At the center of this digital transformation is Nusuk, the official Hajj and Umrah "super-app," which offers e-visa processing, itinerary updates, cashless payments, and access to transport and emergency services.

As of early 2025, Nusuk had surpassed 12 million downloads and is now available in 14 languages. Pilgrims are also issued RFID-enabled smart cards that store personal, medical, and logistical data.

The Ministry of Interior deployed over 2,000 drones and smart surveillance cameras across the holy sites during this year's annual pilgrimage. These AI-powered systems feed into a central control room that uses satellite imagery and predictive analytics to detect and resolve crowd bottlenecks in real-time.

Transit systems have also been upgraded. The Mashair Metro now adjusts train dispatch frequencies based on crowd density. In 2025, train intervals were reduced by up to 60% during peak congestion to ease platform pressure.

Inclusivity is also improving. In 2024, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah introduced VR orientation modules for elderly and first-time pilgrims. Offered in over 10 languages, the program helps users become familiar with the rituals before arrival.

From Hajj-only to Umrah plus
To extend stay durations and increase visitor spending, the Ministry of Tourism has launched a program encouraging pilgrims to combine religious rites with visits to destinations such as Jeddah's Al-Balad, Taif, or the Red Sea coast.

The initiative aims to boost the average length of stay from five to nine nights and lift per capita spending beyond $1,000 by integrating culture, heritage, and leisure with religion.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's stopover program offers 96-hour transit visas with complimentary hotel stays, further supporting extended visits.

This approach helps reduce seasonality, distributing traffic beyond peak Hajj and Ramadan periods, and creates year-round demand for transportation, accommodation, and local services.

Islamic Finance
Pakistan signs $4.5bn Islamic loan for power sector relief

Pakistan has signed term sheets with 18 commercial banks for a 1.275 trillion Pakistani rupees ($4.5 billion) Islamic finance facility aimed at easing the financial burden on its power sector.

The syndicated financing, led by Meezan Bank, Habib Bank Limited, National Bank of Pakistan, and United Bank Limited, will help settle outstanding power sector liabilities such as unpaid bills and subsidies, according to a Reuters report.

The liabilities have strained fiscal resources and disrupted the supply chain.

Power Minister Awais Leghari confirmed that the financing would be repaid in 24 quarterly installments over six years, stating that it would not add to public debt.

The government, which owns or controls much of the national power infrastructure, is grappling with a liquidity crunch with limited investment and worsened fiscal pressure.

The financing is part of a broader strategy to stabilize the sector under the conditions of Pakistan’s $7 billion program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The newly structured Islamic facility carries a concessional rate of three-month KIBOR minus 0.9%, a significant improvement over existing liabilities, including surcharges of up to KIBOR plus 4.5% for delayed payments to independent power producers.

The terms have received IMF approval.

To manage repayment, the government will allocate 323 billion Pakistani rupees annually for loan amortization, with a repayment cap set at 1.938 trillion rupees over the six-year term.

The deal also supports Pakistan’s goal of transitioning to a fully Islamic financial system by 2028. Islamic finance currently accounts for roughly 25% of total banking assets in the country.

The financing follows a $200 million loan approved by the Asian Development Bank in December 2024 to upgrade power distribution infrastructure and improve electricity reliability.

Islamic Lifestyle
Third edition of Muslim Tech Fest held in London

Muslim Tech Fest 2025, a two-day event for Muslim-led startups, fintechs, and venture initiatives, opened in London over the weekend. Now in its third year, the festival aims to reimagine how faith and technology can coexist in a fast-changing industry. It drew over 1,500 entrepreneurs, developers, and investors from 27 countries. The event spotlighted Muslim excellence in technology and promoted ethical, values-driven innovation.

"Faith and innovation aren't opposites; they've always gone hand in hand," said Muslim Tech co-founder Zahid Mahmood. "We need to go back to first principles as Muslims and see how we build enterprise, technology, and innovation in a way that serves Allah."

Held with Anadolu as a global media partner, the festival featured on-stage keynotes, startup showcases, community dinners, and themed workshops, including a dedicated kids' track led by Robocode UK. Many of the UK's leading Islamic fintech firms, including Kestrl, Cur8 Capital, Islamic Finance Guru, Pfida, StrideUp and Nester, were among the exhibitors.

New initiatives, such as the Madinah Angels investment network for Muslim-led startups and Ihsan Venture Studio, were also launched on the sidelines. Community-based organisations, including Muslamic Makers, Redwood Founders, Deen Developers, and Hulm Club, were also present.

"The event is not about diversity optics—it's about real access," the organisers said, emphasising their goal of building technology that works for everyone, including underrepresented groups and people in conflict zones.

The event included Palestinian tech founders and representatives from Gaza Sky Geeks, who joined discussions despite significant logistical challenges. Mahmood noted, "Technology alone is not going to save the world. But if this event can inspire someone to make a change, support a cause, or spread a message, then it's been a success."

Islamic Lifestyle
Inbound visitors rise 8% in 2024 as Saudi bolsters tourism sector  

Saudi Arabia welcomed 29.7 million inbound visitors in 2024, its highest ever and up 8% year-on-year, as the country continues to bolster its tourism sector as a key pillar to diversify its economy. 

Inbound tourists peaked in March last year, with 3.2 million people having visited the kingdom.

Egypt emerged as the top source market for inbound tourism in 2024, with 3.2 million visitors, while Asia and the Pacific were top source regions with 9.7 million travellers, according to statistics released by Saudi’s tourism ministry.  

The report named the holy city of Makkah as the most popular destination for the second straight year, with 17.4 million inbound overnight tourists.

Domestic tourists went from 47.8 million in 2019, the last full year before the pandemic halted global tourism, to nearly 81.9 million in 2023 and 86.2 million last year. June witnessed a peak in domestic tourism, with 9.6 million visitors. 

The Makkah Province was the top destination, with 23.5 million visitors, while Riyadh city lead with 12.7 million tourists, according to the statistical report.  

From a dollars-and-cents perspective, inbound tourists spent 168.5 billion Saudi riyals last year, 19% higher than 141.2 billion Saudi riyals spend in 2023.  

Domestic visitor spending rose marginally from 114.4 billion Saudi riyals in 2023 to 115.3 billion Saudi riyals last year.  

“On the global stage, Saudi Arabia continued efforts to solidify its global leadership as a premier destination, topping global tourism figures and leaving a distinctive mark and strong presence at major international forums,” Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi tourism minister said in the report’s introductory remarks.   

The kingdom led the G20 countries in the growth of international tourism numbers last year.         
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