Shebs Alom
“We never normally get invited to anything,” remarked Sadia Ramzan, CEO and founder of The Muslim Women’s Travel Group (The MWTG), upon being invited to speak at the Icons of Inclusion 2025 with Halal Travel Network (HTN) being one of the principal supporters of the event. Her comment, underscoring a genuine sentiment, referred to the lack of invitations typically extended to Muslim’s (and in particular Muslim women) working within the travel industry.
Ramzan's speech at the event was highly commended by attendees across various networks and media. The following day, I discreetly went after feedback from individuals unaware of my connection to her, and their responses were notably positive. Travel writer Lynne Houghton shared, "I had landed from California and went straight to the event, so I was a little tired. But hers (Ramzan’s) was so fascinating about the sisterhood and really something in general you don’t hear about within the industry, so it was refreshing."
Anne Goringe, another prominent travel writer, met and spoke to Ramzan, later telling me, "I think her talk was one of the most powerful out of everything I heard. It got me thinking about a side of the industry that hadn’t occurred to me at all. I wanted to find out more."
A Call for a More Equitable Industry
A packed event for an important discussion on inclusivity (photo: Joel Ryder Media for Icons of Inclusion / © Out There Publishing Ltd)
What was the purpose of the Icons of Inclusion event? And why did Ramzan consider it to be momentous for Muslim women working within the sector? The event reaffirmed Icons of Inclusion's commitment to greater representation, personalisation, and purpose in luxury and experimental travel, and it was for you to come away feeling motivated – through the meaningful dialogue from leaders and innovators – to transform discourse into meaningful action.
The event itself was held at The Dorchester, and alongside Sadia Ramzan, it celebrated the perspectives of different races and those with accessibility issues, as well as those from the LGBTQIA+ community. Icons of Inclusion's collective goal, as they stated, was to “inspire luxury travel professionals to lead with purpose—and to build a more thoughtful, welcoming and equitable industry for all”.
Leading the Conversation
Sadia Ramzan giving a standout speech (photo: Joel Ryder Media for Icons of Inclusion / © Out There Publishing Ltd)
According to Uwern Jong, organiser of Icons of Inclusion and co-founder of OutThere, and a leading voice for the travel community, the standout moment from their ‘Snapshots’ series came from Sadia Ramzan. As she combined her trademark intelligence, wit and fiery conviction, Ramzan shattered long-standing prejudices about Muslim women travelling. When discussing ‘The Travelling Sisterhood’, she highlighted not just the strength of the community but also the joy, independence as a woman, and cultural curiosity that inspire a halal-conscious traveller to explore the world, defying preconceived notions that have been placed upon them.
“Muslim women aren’t looking for pity or permission.” Ramzan asserted. “We’re looking for meaningful, safe and joyous experiences. And we’re doing it together, with our passports, our prayers, and our power intact.” Her message indicates that not only do a group of Muslim women deserve to be heard, but they also hold a place leading the conversation.
A Personal and Professional Commitment to Inclusion
Uwern Jong, organiser of Icons of Inclusion (photo: Joel Ryder Media for Icons of Inclusion / © Out There Publishing Ltd)
Uwern Jong further explained his perspective. “As someone who spent his childhood years in multicultural Malaysia, I’ve seen firsthand the beauty, depth and nuance of Muslim culture. I’ve long understood the immense potential and spending power of Muslim travellers.”
He elaborated, “Supporting Muslim travel isn’t just about representation, it’s about recognising a global community that has been historically underserved and stereotyped. Furthermore, it’s deeply personal and aligned with the values we champion at OutThere, to elevate all intersectional voices, break down barriers and create a travel industry where everyone feels seen, respected and celebrated... to explore the world openly and proudly.”
What was also striking when I caught up with Ramzan was that she told me about how attendees at the event were recognising the work being carried out by HTN and elsewhere in the sector, discussing the events and publications that showed the impact being made and the recognition of the potential that Halal tourism has within the future of travel and hospitality. This was great to see people speaking in such a positive light.
Cautious Hope and a Call to Action
(Photo: Joel Ryder Media for Icons of Inclusion / © Out There Publishing Ltd)
Despite the overwhelmingly positive reception, Ramzan remains reserved about her feelings, expressing merely cautious hope that more will come from her excellent talk. As she told me, “It will be interesting to see if anything comes out of it, as I find most people are still scared to do anything with a Muslim woman’s group”. Yet if the reaction of the attendees is anything to go by, Ramzan should be expecting more invites to events as people start to take notice. The significance of events such as Icons of Inclusion cannot be overstated when analysing the cutting edge of a more inclusive travel industry, and at the 2025 iteration, Halal tourism held its head high as a centrepiece for growth and change.
Stay Connected with the Halal Travel Network
Stay ahead—be the first to hear about our upcoming industry events, exclusive networking opportunities, and the latest halal tourism insights.
Don’t miss out—subscribe to our newsletter below for exclusive updates on the future of halal travel.
About the Author
Shebs Alom