Road to USA: Travelling Alone As a Muslim Woman with Hijab Amidst Fear of Islamophobia

One of the  things in my bucket list is to go for a road trip in the US from coast to coast. It never crossed my mind that I would be able to check that box in the list. It all started when the abstract my supervisor sent for presentation at a conference in Florida, USA was accepted. We were to co-present the paper. I got mixed feeling. I wanted to visit that great nation but at the same time I was scared of my safety travelling alone amidst the rise of Islamophobia. This was in 2016. I researched the internet quite extensively. Then, to my relief, my friends, the young Malay couple from Aussie also wanted to go for a road trip at about the same time as the conference. They invited me to join them and we shared the expenses. After some consideration, I agreed. We planned to go for the road trip after the conference. They were the ones who did the booking of all the BnB accommodations throughout our road trip that covered more than 11,000 miles.  They also studied the route that we were going to take including Route 66. I was elated. So, I would only travel alone from my entry airport in the US to the conference venue in Orlando, Florida.

The Conference

At first, I was not sure how to get to Florida from Malaysia. I preferred Malaysian Airlines System (MAS) mainly because of the halal food served on board. I did not know why but I chose to fly to Los Angeles and not to other cities like New York or Washington which are relatively nearer to Florida. For the connecting flight to Orlando, Florida, I booked DELTA flight. Then, I booked the hotel at the conference venue.

The next step was applying for US Visa. The process was quite tedious.I had to pay MYR688 at the nearest Standard Chartered Bank for the appointment at US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Then I was given a code number and the date and time of the appointment. On the appointment day, I went early in the morning. I took a flight from Penang the day before and stayed at a nearby hotel within a walking distance to the embassy. There was a long queue outside the embassy and I joined the queue. We and our personal belongings including shoes went through something like airport scanner before we were let into the embassy. For the interview, I was directed to a booth and the interviewer was at the other side of the counter covered with glass. There was a small hole in the glass for us to interact. He just asked me basic questions which I think they already had the answers. It was just a verification process I think like "where are you staying throughout your stay in the US?" and "who will be with you?". I just answered all the questions truthfully. I was approved for a 10-year visa to enter USA. It would be valid until 2026. I felt relieved because I could see other applicants whose applications  were rejected. I even saw one guy crying.

The application 

The US Visa

 En route to Los Angeles, I would transit for 8 hours in Narita, Tokyo, Japan. 8 hours would be excruciatingly  a long wait. Fortunately, I got to know about Narita Transit Program when I did my internet search. Free tour guides would take you to local attractions in Narita. I decided to go for it once I landed in Narita.  The flight from Kuala Lumpur to Narita, Tokyo was about 7 hours. I arrived in the morning. After refreshing myself, I looked for the Narita Transit Program counter. Most people there were very polite. When I approached the lady at the counter, she stood up and entertained all my questions politely. Bowing was a must.Two guides were available to take me around Narita that day, an elderly guy and a lady. These guides were retirees who volunteered to promote Narita and their service was free.

Tried on the kimono 😄

Sakura was blooming at Narita, Tokyo

The town was very clean. The heresay that one could find fish in their drains was true. Their civic-mindedness was first class. Once, we wanted to cross a street, two policemen on bikes stopped and let us passed. Then we bowed to them and they bowed back. The finesse in their behavior and mannerism made me feel ashamed with negative behaviors of some people in my home country.

It took me another day to reach LA. I landed around noon. Getting custom clearance was quite smooth even though the lady officer gave me a fierce look. I just kept my cool.  I had nothing to hide. I paid one airport porter to load and take my luggage to the next terminal for my connecting flight. Looked like a Spanish speaking guy probably from Mexico or Puerto Rico, I just couldn't tell. I tipped him and he was grateful. I waited for four hours for my connecting flight to Orlando, Florida. The flight was smooth. When we touched down in Orlando, I was standing at the aisle waiting in line to exit the plane. One teenage boy, American I presumed from the accent,  was behind me and he opened the overhead compartment to get his luggage. I had to duck my head a bit and he apologized profusely for it. The bag didn't even hit my head.  I was touched by the boy's polite gesture.

I went for my luggage. I had a few heavy bags since I planned to go for a 3-week road trip after the conference. To use the trolley, one needed to insert coins and I did not have any US coin with me at that time. One white lady gave  the coin needed  but the machine didn't work. I thanked her anyway. One white guy said that the porter service there was quite expensive especially at night. It was around 10 pm at that time. I thanked him for the advice but I hired the porter anyway. I had too much luggage for me to handle alone. I finally checked into my room at around 11 pm. I was relieved that I made it to my destination safely. I had terrible jet lag that night. Luckily, my paper presentation was on the last day of the  conference. So, I could rest a bit.

The presentation went well. It just that it was frustrating when the hall was not full. There were about 20 people in the audience. It was the last day of the conference and many had left. We put in a lot of effort and traveled halfway across the world to be there. I was hoping for a lot more audience. After the presentation, I went back to my room and prepared to check out. I could not extend my stay in the hotel since it was fully booked the next day.  I needed to checked in into another nearby hotel while waiting for my Aussie friends to arrive on the next day. I was very happy to see them the next day. I checked out of the hotel and our road trip started. We traveled in a rented MPV.

The US Road Trip Route

I prepared this table to keep track of my journey. I included the time difference so that I know the time back home. The weather forecast was for me to be in a proper suitable attire on the particular day.  Our first stop was Hard Rock Cafe Orlando. I bought two fridge magnets there as memorable items of the trip. The first night was quite interesting. We did not stay at the usual Air BnB accommodation but we stayed in a trailer. I had never been in one. I got a bunk bed in an enclosed end of the trailer and my friends, a married couple with two young kids slept in the other bed in the trailer. The shower and toilet were small but sufficient. I could not sleep much actually even though the bed was quite comfy. I wondered who had slept in it before😷

Fridge magnets that I collected during the trip

The next day we went to Miami and Daytona Beach. Frankly, Malaysia has more beautiful beaches. We were in awe of the places in the US because of their Hollywood movies. We also went to Disneyland. I enjoyed the most at Animal Kingdom. It was like a mini Safari of Africa. Our next destination was South Carolina. We stayed at a real American home. It was nice. We did our laundry because most American home had washer and dryer. The next door neighbor was friendly. The elderly man smiled and waved at us when we were leaving.

We passed North Carolina and Virginia. At Virginia, we made a stop and stayed for two nights at Quantico. It is a US Marine base. We stayed at a Malaysian Army Colonel's house who further his study there. There was no hassle when we entered the base. I guess they could scan our vehicle and knew what in it. I was told by our host that there is a mosque right next to the church in the marine base. In fact, after the previous Friday payers, a US lady officer embraced Islam. I learned that there were quite a number of Muslims in the US Army. This changed my perception on the status of Islam in America. So, what we saw in the media is not all true and questionable.

Something really attracted my attention when we reached our Air BnB accommodation in Indianapolis, Indiana. I saw a sign outside a house next to our air BnB accommodation that moved me to tears.

Support for American Muslims amidst media frenzy on Islamophobia

This was during the pre-election before Donald Trump came into power. I prayed that the residents of the house would receive hidayah if they were not yet Muslims. Another incident that impacted me deeply was when we were in front of the White House in Washington DC. First, while touring around, we heard a loud recital of azan (a call for prayer). We went to the spot where the azan came from and saw a man bowing down in his prayer. He was promoting Islam (dakwah). There were policemen on guard but they just stood and watched.

A man promoting Islam (dakwah) in front of the White House

Another incident that attracted my attention was when we were in a Subway train in New York. I saw one white man reading Quran quietly. It was a common sight to see people reading in the train in western countries but seeing someone reading Quran really touched my heart.

We also visited Ground Zero. The names of the people who died at the World Trade Center (WTC) during the 9/11 attack were engraved on the tomb structure around the perimeter of a man-made pool which was the site of the  destroyed WTC. I noticed a number of Muslims' names among thousand of names engraved on the granite. I was told that every year on 9/11 at the exact time of the attack, the bell at the church next to Ground Zero would be rung. I actually went into the church to look at the exhibition about the 9/11 attack. No one harassed or said harsh things to me even though they knew I am a Muslim.

Names of the Victims of 9/11 Attack

Used to be the  foundation of the World Trade Center 

Our last stop was at Los Angeles. We visited the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Again I learned about something that moved me to tears. 2600 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks of the Hollywood Boulevard with the names of  the great Hollywood celebrities except for Muhammad Ali's which was on a wall. This is because the name Muhammad that is after the Prophet Muhammad's name should not be stepped or walked on. That is how much they respect Islam.

Throughout our journey, we were not harassed or discriminated because of our skin color and faith. I was used to men opening doors for me and making way for me which I seldom experienced back home. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to visit USA and I know why it is a great nation.