“Can She Run or Scream while Travelling?” Is Sports Tourism Halal or Haram? Management of Sports Travel of Muslim Women in the Era of West-East Dichotomy

Abstract

Purpose: The article's main purpose is to explore halal tourism as a modern trend in the tourism industry and an attempt to determine the place of sports in it. Methodology: Based on a literature review and content analysis of sources about sport, tourism, and Islam, the article presents the opportunities and barriers for Muslim women to participate in sports tourism. Findings: The work presents the forms of active leisure activities of contemporary women in Islamic culture to choose from. The article consists of three parts. The first part presents actual trends in Islamic tourism—the second part analyses women's sports (both for competition and leisure) in Islamic culture. The last part is an attempt to show the synergy of sport and tourism in the light of the values of the Islamic cultural circle. From the point of view of Islamic teachings, it can be assumed that women's sports, tourism, and sports tourism are acceptable if conditions are met, such as the ones relating to clothing, the nature of the sport, or the place of physical activity. However, due to the prevailing social and cultural conditions, sport is not (yet) an important element of Muslims' tourism. Practical implications: The article indicates how challenging the management of sport in Islamic tourism is: selected problems with sports tourism management and Muslims' sporting events. Originality/Value: The analysis of the relationship between doing sports while traveling (sports tourism) and Islam, especially from women's point of view, constitutes a deep research niche.