Good news: villages from Muslim countries made it to the list of the best tourist villages in the world.
As-salamu alaykum! The UN's tourism organization has released an updated list of the world's best tourist villages. The final list includes 52 settlements from 29 countries, and among them are villages from Muslim countries - a total of 270 applications came in from all over the world for the competition.
Four Turkish villages made the cut: Akyaka (Muğla province), Barbaros (Izmir), Anıtlı (Mardin), and Kale Uçağız (Antalya). Also, there's the highland village of Khinalug in Azerbaijan, the village of Krupa na Vrbasu in Bosnia, and Azraq in Jordan on the list.
The "Tourism for Rural Development" program, which has been compiling this list since 2021, aims to attract tourists to rural areas to support local employment and preserve traditions and culture. Turkey's Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy pointed out that tourism is important not just as a source of income but also as a force that keeps cultural heritage alive and helps develop regions.
Islam, which emerged in the 7th century, has significantly influenced the history, culture, and social life of many peoples; the word "Islam" in Arabic means "submission to the will of Allah," and today this religion has over a billion followers.
If you're planning to visit one of these places, keep in mind to respect local customs and proprieties, plan your trip in a way that honors prayer times, and support local families who are keeping the traditional way of life.
https://islamnews.ru/2025/10/3