Amin Abbas

DUBAI: Fathima Nabeela is a Sri Lankan Muslim content creator who spotlights halal and Muslim-friendly facilities in Japan and shares useful information for Muslims living abroad on social media. 

Since moving to Japan in 2023, Nabeela has dedicated her online presence to sharing the real-life experiences of a Muslim family living in a non-Muslim country.

From halal food hunts and restaurant reviews to parenting in Japan and adapting to a new culture, her content reflects a lifestyle rooted in both faith and curiosity.

She enjoys showcasing the peaceful harmony between Islamic values and Japan’s respectful, disciplined society—something that resonates with many of my followers.

As a self-taught Japanese learner, she also encourages others to embrace the language and culture through fun, relatable content. She believes representation matters, and through her journey, she hopes to inspire other Muslims living abroad to stay connected with their identity while embracing new experiences.

“It started with my passion for photography and video editing. I’ve always loved capturing stories visually, but after moving to Japan, something shifted. I realized there was so much beauty and uniqueness here that many people hadn’t seen, especially from a Muslim perspective,” the content creator told Arab News Japan. 

“I felt this deep pull to share what Japan really looks and feels like and what life is like here for Muslims. That’s when content creation became more than a hobby; it became a way to connect, represent, and inspire. I’ve been working as a content creator in Japan for the past year. My focus is on showcasing the Muslim lifestyle as a foreigner, exploring Japan’s nature, and discovering Muslim-friendly food,” she added. 

Nabeela said that the biggest challenge that she faces during her journey is dealing with negativity and hatred on social media as well as finding halal products in Japan.

“Of course, finding halal food is still a challenge in Japan. You can’t just stop by a convenience store and buy anything; you have to carefully check the ingredients. Another challenge is raising children with Islamic values. Since Islamic studies aren’t taught in Japanese schools, parents have to take on the responsibility of teaching their kids at home,” she said. 

Regarding her upcoming projects in the near future, Nabeela said she will be “looking up Muslim-friendly restaurants and clothing brands in Japan. I’ll be showcasing halal food options and highlighting modest fashion choices, creating content that resonates with the Muslim lifestyle in Japan while supporting businesses that cater to our needs.”

Nabeela recommended that those who want to learn about Japanese culture and language watch Japanese dramas and anime and use translation tools to help with understanding. “If you’re in Japan, there are also free Japanese classes offered by the city office in certain regions, which can be a great way to immerse yourself in the language,” she shared.