Solidarity in Crisis: Challenges in Fostering Muslim Solidarity in Malaysian Refugee Policies

Despite Islam being the religion of the federation, Malaysia's refugee policies remain disconnected from the Islamic principles of Muslim solidarity. Through interviews with nine stakeholders across political, religious, and advocacy sectors, this article examines why the concept of Muslim solidarity, which emphasises both religious brotherhood (Ukhwah Islamiah) and universal human solidarity (Ukhwah Insaniah), fails to influence policy formation for refugees in Malaysia. The article argues that critical barriers, such as a fragmented political will, racialised perceptions of refugees, limited Islamic scholarly engagement, and insufficient public awareness have hitherto prevented its wider appeal and breakthrough. While research participants acknowledged Muslim solidarity's theoretical relevance, structural constraints continue to prevent its practical application.