EDITOR’S LET TER I would like to welcome you all to the first edition of Battuta, a Halal Travel Magazine. Like Ibn Battuta, the greatest traveler in Islamic history, our adventurous soul is thriving to explore the unique places, cultures, and communities. In fact, each of us has an inner Ibn Battuta with dreams of traveling. This is what motivated us to name our magazine after Ibn Battuta. Our world is experiencing such hard times. Humanity is suffering from the novel coronavirus. However, even if we can’t shake hands or hug loved ones, we have learned that it is easy to say I love, I care, and I am thinking of you using our eyes only.
Editor in Chief Mehmet N. Akkurt, PhD
Time does indeed fly. The blessed month of Ramadan is almost over and Eid is just around the corner. We may have to eat sweets using surgical gloves and by pulling our masks down and yet the joy and happiness of Eid will still remain deep inside our hearts. In this edition, we are featuring some very special authors who will share helpful articles. Reem El Shafaki will share her perspective about the Future of Travel. Our first Q&A series with Sukaina Rajabali, who will educate and inspire us all. In addition to the above beautiful and inspiring articles, we have an Explore a Mystery series by Nafisa Bakhromovna about Blue Mosque. We will Travel for the Soul with amazing expressions by Sara Salih, and Mariam Ahmed will share her 12 Tips for Traveling or Planning a Holiday During Ramadan. This edition will also present an informative comparison of accommodation options for Muslim travelers and of course our very own top travel destinations of 2020. Stay strong and keep your traveler spirit alive. See you in travelable days inshaAllah with our next edition…
Editor in Chief Mehmet N. Akkurt Art Director Vefa Yabanigul Graphic Designer Yusuf Tezel Editor Veysel Gokbel Honorary Reviewer Haifa Hussein Writers Nafisa Bakhromovna Muhtar Emirguliyev Haifa Hussein Jelilah Anofiu Contributors Sukaina Rajabali Reem El Shafaki Mariam Ahmed Sara Salih
