If you asked me before this article how was my 2016 I would say OK? However, on a closer inspection, this year was great. I mean so much better than last year. Alhamdulillah (Thank God)
Some parts of the year could have been better but you know what, it was mostly surrounded by love, great company, trips, and experiences. Plus this blog grew to be the biggest out there and generated x300 more traffic. We also won the Spirit award from BoardingArea as the best on self-improvement and achievement. So now I can call MuslimTravelGirl an award-winning blog too. 😉
This year I had the opportunity to also speak at several conferences which are always a privilege and being interviewed by international media such as TRT World, BBC and more. I love speaking and engaging Muslims and non-Muslim about the halal travel industry. I met great people, laughed, travelled and enjoyed great family moments. A true blessing.
Here are some of the speeches for this year.
- Global Islamic Economic was a highlight for me and it was great to share the stage with Nabeel from Serendipity Tailormade and Irfan from Irhal.com
- Muslim Lifestyle Show, London is amazing and the first show was packed. I can’t wait to see more and more super professional events being organised and be a part of them.
- MEADFA (Middle East Duty-Free Association) was such an honour to present alongside Google employee Vrinda on Muslim Millennials. Plus according to the feedback our talk was the best and most interactive session. Go Girl Power! 🙂
- Muslim Lifestyle Expo, it was great to be back for the second time and see a bigger and better event this year. The team did a great job.
The most anticipated course on DIY Umrah is out now and you can add yourself to the waiting list for the next cohort. I can’t believe from a humble experiment it grew to a super successful course helping Muslims go for Umrah and save thousands of dollars. It took a lot of work but it was well worth it.
The Trips
There is no travel blog or life for me if there are no trips. Sadly due to getting sick in Dubai I had to cancel a couple, but health comes first and this incident made me re-evaluate many things in my life. Health and work-life balance first. So here is 2016 in photos
Austria -Salzburg
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEGYvfHxOtU/?taken-by=muslimtravelgirl
Vienna – Austria
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEV1h6_xOnT/?taken-by=muslimtravelgirl
Budapest – Hungary
https://www.instagram.com/p/BG7wlJYROmk/?taken-by=muslimtravelgirl
Thessaloniki- Greece
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDcpDaJROiR/?taken-by=muslimtravelgirl
Bansko- Bulgaria
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDk0DHJxOhO/?taken-by=muslimtravelgirl
Phuket – Thailand
Lovely couple of days in Paresa Resort
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJz06WNB4b_/?taken-by=muslimtravelgirl
Phuket- Thailand
Great stay in Amatara Resort, Muslim friendly and kids friends too.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNHRZyUjMrK/?taken-by=muslimtravelgirl
Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia
https://www.instagram.com/p/BK8R7I4hSzh/?taken-by=muslimtravelgirl
London- United Kingdom
Spending time with family is always great and for the first time in years they visited.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMy9ijyh7NU/?taken-by=muslimtravelgirl
Dubai – UAE
Dubai feels like a second home now. I believe this year I went 2-3 times. Of course let’s not forget my lovely hospital visit.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLqpNQYhUP2/?taken-by=muslimtravelgirl
Athens- Greece
I had such an awesome time in Athens with some lovely sisters. I planned the first Sisters trip and it was awesome. If you are a Muslim woman who would like to join our next trip, then do drop us an email. 🙂
https://www.instagram.com/p/BN5IudpA0Q0/?taken-by=muslimtravelgirl
Finally…
Doha – Qatar
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOpeoKPjWpb/?taken-by=muslimtravelgirl
If you have missed the news… we have moved to Qatar for some digital nomading and living full time in hotels. Can’t wait to start writing up and exploring Doha with you guys.
I am truly blessed to have grown my team, to have travelled and to inspire people but also to be inspired by so many of you who read this blog.
Thank you, Have an Awesome 2017
Happy Travels