How do you raise children when two cultures meet—then keep evolving—somewhere in the middle? In this episode from Saleh Family, Will and Sana unpack one of the most meaningful conversations mixed-culture Muslim families are having: what you actually pass down, what you leave behind, and what happens when faith and culture collide.
Set in Malaysia and centred on Muslim family life in Southeast Asia, the discussion explores the idea of third culture kids—children whose identity grows out of the combination of home culture, the culture around them, and the experiences they collect along the way. With three kids described as multilingual and mixed, the episode offers a deeply human look at belonging, language, and values.
What are “third culture kids”?
The video begins by addressing what people mean when they say “third culture kids”. Put simply, these are children who don’t grow up fitting neatly into just one cultural box. Instead, their day-to-day life shapes a blended identity—built from where they’re raised, what they’re surrounded by, and the traditions they inherit at home.
In the case shared by Will and Sana, the family sits at a crossroads: one parent’s culture is rooted in a history that “goes back centuries”, while the other parent’s cultural reference is described in a playful, self-aware way. Their children are then described as growing up with Islam at the centre, shaped by the languages and rhythms of life around them in Malaysia.
When cultural markers meet the reality of daily life
One of the most relatable themes in the episode is that cultural identity isn’t just about grand traditions—it’s also about the everyday habits, foods, expressions, and meanings that families choose to keep. The conversation touches on the idea that culture can even become “literally a thing of the past”, raising a tender question for parents: what is worth carrying forward, and what changes with time?
For many families, this is where the practical questions start:
- Which practices feel like inheritance, and which feel like performance?
- How do you teach heritage without turning it into a costume?
- How do you make space for your children’s own interpretation of who they are?
Rather than offering a single “right” answer, the episode frames identity as something that develops—particularly when children are multilingual and living between worlds.
DNA tests, ancestry, and the search for certainty
The episode also mentions the role of DNA tests in modern conversations about identity. While the video description doesn’t go into specific outcomes, it signals that families are increasingly seeking tangible evidence of heritage—sometimes to understand themselves better, and sometimes to resolve questions that feel emotionally important.
For third culture kids, this kind of exploration can be a double-edged sword: it may offer clarity, but it can also raise new dilemmas about what “counts” as identity—biology, culture, language, or lived faith.
Cultural appropriation versus appreciation
Another thought-provoking strand in the video is the distinction between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. This theme matters in mixed families because children often grow up surrounded by many cultural influences—sometimes with limited context—and parents become the interpreters, guiding their kids toward respectful understanding.
The episode encourages viewers to think beyond surface-level borrowing and instead consider the meaning behind traditions: Who does something belong to? What is being learned? And is it being honoured or merely used?
Faith and culture: which wins?
The heart of the conversation is a question many families ask, even if they don’t say it out loud: when faith and culture collide, which one wins?
Will and Sana explore how Islam can function as a steady foundation—an identity anchor for children growing up in Southeast Asia—while culture continues to shift. In the description, there’s also a beautiful reference to a Prophet’s dua that “connects Pakistani Muslims to Taif”. Even without detailing the full context, the message is clear: faith can provide continuity that reaches across geography and generations.
Raising Muslim children in Southeast Asia
In this episode, the family’s backdrop is Malaysia, and the children’s identity is described as starting with Islam and building from there. That framing is powerful: rather than treating religion as separate from culture, it positions Islam as the thread that helps children make sense of the world around them.
If you’re inspired by this story, it may help to think about how to bring intention into parenting across cultures. A few practical guiding ideas drawn from the themes in the video include:
- Make space for language: multilingual children may naturally build identity through how they communicate.
- Choose what to pass down thoughtfully: consider what is meaningful, not just traditional.
- Discuss respect: teach appreciation, not appropriation, and encourage curiosity with accountability.
- Let faith provide structure: values and prayer can offer continuity even when culture changes.
Where this conversation can lead your next trip
For families and travellers who want experiences with depth, the story in this video points toward a kind of journey that feels more personal than typical sightseeing. Malaysia—and Southeast Asia more broadly—offers a chance to see how faith, language and heritage coexist in everyday life.
If your goal is to travel with intention, consider building your itinerary around culture, community and reflection—not just landmarks. Follow curiosity the way the episode invites it: ask questions, observe respectful traditions, and look for the human stories behind the places.
Ready to turn curiosity into a trip?
At Sakina Tours, we create curated travel experiences that bring meaning to your journey—whether you’re travelling as a couple, as a family, or as someone reconnecting with heritage. If you’d like help planning a Southeast Asian escape inspired by stories like this, get in touch and let’s map out a trip that feels like you.
