Lately, it looks like this has become a new trend in Europe. France was the first country to order a burqa ban in public service in 2010. It was followed by Belgium in 2011, Bulgaria in 2016 and Austria in 2017, and many other countries. In Germany, the burqa ban applies to all public service employees during their working hours, although there is no general prohibition. In Denmark, the burqa is banned in public spaces since 2018, and in parts of Italy, such as Lombardy, there are fines for people caught violating this ban.
In the Netherlands, the burqa is banned not only in public buildings but also in public transport, hospitals and schools. These bans have obviously led to tension and protests in the past years, including protests. Still, none of these countries has backed down. So what should you consider as a Muslim woman who wants to move abroad? The answer is not as simple as it seems.
When moving abroad, we tend to believe that we are free to practice our religion there without any restrictions. But many expats were actually disappointed by the sad reality of their host countries. Indeed, religion is a significant component of the cultural shock for expats. So the best thing to do is to inquire about the religion-related laws in the target country and weigh the pros and cons.
Being an expat in a Muslim country
While some people move abroad for religious reasons, it can be hard for the rest to find the right balance. Sarah, a French expat who is originally from Reunion Island, recently moved to Iran with her partner. “When you're not a Muslim, Iran is definitely a difficult country to live in. In fact, people move to countries like Iran when they have a specific goal in mind, and this was our case. Otherwise, it is very unlikely that this kind of country will be a top choice", she says.
But Iran is not the only country where adapting to religion requires extra effort. While most countries around the world are home to various places of worship, the Middle East is a different case. In the United Arab Emirates, for example, Islam is the only religion, so don't expect to find churches, temples, etc. In Saudi Arabia, also, where Islam is the predominant religion, the Islamic religion and culture are inseparable from everday life. What does this mean?
For example, you simply cannot miss the call to prayer every morning before dawn. It's the time when Muslims perform their first prayer of the day. The call to prayer can remain unnoticed throughout the day, but it will again strike you at sunset. Ramadan is another essential religious aspect of Middle East countries. In fact, life almost comes to a standstill for a whole month in these countries. While some of them tend to be less strict during the fasting hours, especially when it comes to food, in others, there are plenty of things expats should avoid doing in public during this period. One of the main rules is to avoid having food or drinks in public. But you are totally free to do it at home at any time.
“I arrived here just a few days before Ramadan, and I was perplexed. The restaurants were open, but most of them were empty, so I felt quite uncomfortable. People were looking at me strangely in the street with my water bottle in my hand, ”says Monique, an American expatriate in Abu Dhabi. However, Ramadan is not the only time of the year to be cautious about religious years.
Gender segregation, for instance, is omnipresent in most Middle East countries. In general, women, except expats, are required to wear the "abbaya". They can only remove their veil when in the presence of other women or a family member such as their father, brother or husband. There is gender segregation in most places, including offices, public transportation, and social events such as weddings and religious ceremonies. So when you're invited somewhere, don't expect to be able to walk or sit next to your partner. In the long run, you will have to get used to it.
What about non-religious countries?
Did you know that China has the world's largest irreligious population? This can seem unbelievable considering the number of temples and other places of worship around the country. And yet, several studies reveal that China's population has a large proportion of atheists. It's worth noting that religion is not prohibited in China, even if the government and the Communist Party are atheists! In fact, the Chinese constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and it means what it means. In contrast, only five religions are recognised in China: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism.
But even if your religion is not listed, do not give up. You can still practice it in private, at home, for example. At the same time, different religious beliefs are spreading around the country, probably due to modernisation and immigration. Indeed, a study in 2017 showed that China's 1.3 billion population comprises some 350 million religious believers. But this is only indicative since many more haven't officially declared their religious beliefs.
However, the government recently warned religious followers against "religious extremism", that is "the use of religion to undermine national or ethnic unity in China." Indeed, new laws are being drafted for better control and preventing the spread of illegal churches, sects and religious groups. Today, some religions like Judaism, Mormonism, and Quakers are tolerated in China as long as they are only observed by expats. In short, you are free to practice your religion within the four walls of your house but do not venture beyond this.
Still, some countries fare better than others when it comes to religious freedom, mainly in Europe and Oceania. For example, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, as well as New Zealand and Australia stand out for religious freedom since the past few years. But that doesn't mean that these are the only countries where you can practice your religion.
There isn't really a clear answer as to where you should move. The best thing is to be very open-minded and tolerant, regardless of the country you are relocating to. Whenever you feel uncomfortable or the situation gets extreme, refocus on the main reasons that brought you to this specific country. Also, make sure to inquire about how religion can affect your daily life as an expat, especially if you are planning to get married and have children. Keep in mind that in some countries, it is forbidden for unmarried couples to cohabit.
