Comments on: Hijabs and Sri Lanka

By: Nengti Rasjid

Nengti Rasjid — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 04:43:16 +0000

I am a Muslim lady with hijab. I am at the moment in Sri Lanka. It was my mistake that I didnt take time to find out about temple in Sri Lanka. I assumed its will be like in Indonesia, you can go to any temples with hijab on as long as you are decent and modest in your clothing. I respect that and don’t make a big fuss. But then I saw some Buddhis put white scarf or cloth on their head entering the temple. Then I started feeling uneasy. Oh well this is an expensive experience.

By: Alyson Long for World Travel Family

Alyson Long for World Travel Family — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 02:14:42 +0000

In reply to Nada Ismail.

Thanks for commenting Nada and sorry you couldn’t take your hijab off to go in. To be honest, you didn’t miss much, it’s not that spectacular and it’s over-priced. I wonder how you’d manage anywhere really, we always take off our hats to enter any temple, particularly in Thailand, although I don’t remember visiting very many Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. You should be OK with Hindu temples I think as Hindu women often cover their heads, but I’m guessing, I can’t really remember. Go to the Kandy Devales instead, they’re steps away from the Temple of the Tooth and free.

By: Nada Ismail

Nada Ismail — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:26:01 +0000

Hi. Today i had the very same experience. I purchased some lotus flowers from the stalls outside the temple in order to place them inside but i was then told to take off my hijab for i was not allowed to enter with my head covered although i did see some people entering the temple with hats on. At the very beginning I did take it personally and that they were just saying that because they don’t want Muslims to enter especially from their rude behaviour at the entrance. Only when our driver called his friend who then told us that it was not because of the Hijab but because of specific religious regulations did we understand what happened.
Yes, i was disappointed for not being able to see what was inside but i wasn’t at all offended. I didn’t see the rules as being against any religion or sect but rather a manifestation of Buddhism. Such rules must be respected just the way we expect others to respect us and our religious beliefs.
About the bloggers, I don’t believe it’s their fault. Bloggers usually deliver their experience and they just can’t be 100% through with the rules of the destinations they visit.
We do hope that we will be able to access the Buddhist huge statues in other places than Kandy.

By: Alyson Long World Travel Family Blog

Alyson Long World Travel Family Blog — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 09:51:33 +0000

In reply to Melinda L Clayville. Totally! Always find out for yourself. We don't do a whole lot of research to be ones, we wing it, but if you're picky or have exacting needs, the more research and planning the better.

By: Melinda L Clayville

Melinda L Clayville — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 04:56:38 +0000

Thanks for this post. I feel a constant pull between writing what I think will be pleasing for people to hear and writing what I truly feel. I try to stay true. Thank you for being authentic and real. All the time we have people telling us all kinds of reasons not to go to different places around the world but I feel like I need to experience them for myself, with a few exceptions. There are some situations that may or not be foreseeable, but may need to be experienced.