Each year on 20 June, the world celebrates World Refugee Day, an international day designated by the United Nations to honour people who have been compelled to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day was held globally for the first time on 20 June 2001 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. It was originally known as Africa Refugee Day, before the United Nations General Assembly officially designated it as an international day in December 2000. [1]
In the past ten years, the refugee issue has undoubtedly emerged as one of the most significant topics influencing public opinion, not just in the Arab and Islamic worlds but globally as well. It has changed from being largely a humanitarian issue to becoming a political, economic, and social one. It has imposed itself in international forums, leading to negotiations, discussions, and concessions, all in a terrifying scene not only for the refugees, the original owners of the issue, but for the entire human conscience. The whole world has witnessed how some have exploited the refugee crisis as a negotiating weapon to achieve limited goals that are worth nothing compared to the most basic human right: the right to life. The following lines highlight the isuuse of refugees from Islamic prespective along with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif endavours with the refugees.
In the beginning the refugee is defined as someone who has been forced to leave their country due to their persecution or violence. The refugee has well-founded fear of persocution for reasons of race, religion, identity, political opinion, nationality or membership in a particular group. At the end of June 2024 as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order, there are about 122.6 people worldwide were forcibly displaced, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). [2]Undoubtedly, these refugees especially women anad children face unknkown fate of exploitation and abuse.
In this context, it is worth noting that Islam provides cetain measures to address the issue of refugees. Allah, the Almighty, says, “And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know” (Qur’an: 9:6). It is deduced from this verse that refugees are guranteed full protection, care and safety. It was reported that when Musailima’s messengers, came to the Prophet he asked them whether they testified that he was God’s Messenger. They replied saying, "We testify that Musailima is God’s messenger,” he said, "I believe in God and His Messenger. If it was my custom to kill a messenger I would kill you.”
The Glorious Qur’an also lays down certain rules and regulations as to the right of asylum, for example verse number nine in Surah al-Hashr says, “And [also for] those who were settled in al-Madinah and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in poverty”. Abu Hurairah narrated that a man from supporters (al-Ansar) had a guest spend the night with him, but he did not have anything to eat except the meal of his children, so he said to his wife: ‘Put the children to sleep, extinguish the torches, and give me whatever you have with you for the guest.
The aforementioned verse provides three general rules that govern the treatment of the refugees and asylum seekers. First: the refugees and migants who move from a region to another must be welcomed and treated in a good manner to the extent that Muslims should give them preference over themselves. Second: refugees should be received regardless of their poverty, wealth as what matters is to give them protection, safety, stability and security in the place of asylum. Third: immmigants must not be rejected even if the inhabitants of the teritory of asylum are in dire poverty and have a scarce resouces.
In addition, it is not allowed to force the refugee to accept or embrace any religion other than his religion. Allah, the Almighty, says, “There is no compulsion in religion” (Qur’an: 2: 256). Al-Qurtuby commented saying this verse is a clear-cut evidence that no one is coerced to adopt Islamic religion. [3]This is based on the fact that Islamic Shariah completely respects all other religions and this is evident in what the Prophet did with the Christian delegation of Najran. When they entered the Prophet’s mosque in Medinah at the time of al-Asr (late afternoon prayer), they stood up to perform prayer in his mosque, but people around the Propeht tried to stop them, so the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Leave them” consequentlty, they faced the East and prayed.
Furthermore, it is obligatory upon the country to which the refugee travelled to help him protect himself. This right is not only for the refugees but to all people as well. Therefore, if a Muslim killed a refugee that resorted to him, according to some jurists, the Muslim is killed for the disbeliever. ‘Abdallah Ibn ‘Amr reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone kills a man who has made a covenant, he will not experience the fragrance of paradise, yet its fragrance can be experienced at a distance of forty years’ journey.”Ali Ibn Abi Talib repoted saying “Whoever has our covenant, his blood is so sacred like our blood”
On its part, Al-Azhar Al-Sharif calls on all countries around the world to give the refugee issue its due attention, amid the sufferings of the refugees who have been expelled from their homes and homelands because of the persecution, displacement and wars, as well as the material and psychological damage they suffered and the scourge of torture they endured for no legitimate reason. Al-Azhar Al-Sharif strongly condemned the brutal violations and crimes against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, describing them as an "unprecedented humanitarian tragedy." It called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities to stop these violations and hold those responsible accountable. It also denounced the policies of ethnic cleansing and the refusal to allow the Rohingya to return to their homes as citizens with equal rights. [4]
In addition, Al-Azhar sent urgent relief convoys to refugee camps in Bangladesh, including food and medical aid. Al-Azhar delegation distributed more than 100 tons of aid in the Cox's Bazar area, in coordination with Bangladeshi authorities. His Eminnec, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar ordered the relief delegation's mission to be extended for an additional week to ensure that support reaches the largest possible number of refugees. Al-Azhar called for a peace conference to be held in Cairo, in cooperation with the Muslim Council of Elders, to engage Myanmar and international parties in dialogue to find a just solution that guarantees the Rohingya's safe and dignified return to their homes. Al-Azhar published reports and photos documenting the suffering of the Rohingya in the camps, such as their lack of healthcare and education, to stir the global conscience. The deputy of Al-Azhar described the scenes as "testimony to the death of the human conscience. [5]
Al-Azhar's position on the Palestinian refugee issue is characterized by consistency and clarity, combining direct humanitarian support with political and religious advocacy at the Arab and international levels. The following are the most prominent features of this position:
- Rejecting displacement plans and defending the right of return:
Al-Azhar Al-Sharif strongly condemned any attempts to displace Palestinians from their lands, describing proposals such as those put forward by US President Donald Trump to transfer refugees to Egypt or Jordan as a "miserable and unjust attempt" and a "trick that will not be repeated." [6] It emphasized that Palestine is an "Arab and Islamic land" and that the right of Palestinians to return to their homes and establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital is an inalienable right. It also warned that the international community's abandonment of support for the Palestinians would lead to the world turning into a "jungle where the strong eats the weak."
- Humanitarian and political Support
His Eminence, The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmed al-Tayeb, called for providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees without linking it to politics, considering it a "humanitarian and moral duty."Al-Azhar cooperated with UNRWA to provide support to Palestinian refugees, emphasizing the important role of religious institutions in protecting the vulnerable. Al-Azhar called on the international community to pressure the implementation of agreements to stop the aggression on Gaza and respect the right of Palestinians to live safely on their land. It also called for the reconstruction of Gaza, while emphasizing that Palestinians should remain in their homes and rejecting any solutions that would lead to their displacement or the obliteration of their identity.
In concluion, Al-Azhar's stance on the Palestinian refugee issue is not temporary, but rather part of its comprehensive vision of justice and human rights. In addition to field work, moral support, and political pressure, Al-Azhar a focus on long-term solutions that guarantee the right of return and dignity for Palestinians.
[3] See Al-Qurtuby: Al-Jami Li Ahkam al-Qur’an, Vol-3. P 276