{"id":1228,"date":"2025-06-25T11:13:33","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T11:13:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/?p=1228"},"modified":"2025-06-26T03:45:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T03:45:06","slug":"when-migration-means-more-than-geography-lessons-from-islamic-history-and-todays-dilemma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/2025\/06\/25\/when-migration-means-more-than-geography-lessons-from-islamic-history-and-todays-dilemma\/","title":{"rendered":"Migration Lessons from Islamic History and Today\u2019s Dilemma"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Imagine if the \u1e63a\u1e25\u0101bah (Companions) of Prophet Muhammad \ufdfa were attempting to migrate today. Would OIC countries welcome them? Or might they be nudged instead toward strictly Christian nations?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This thought experiment exposes a troubling reality: OIC nations may not generously receive migrations\u2014even of historic prophets and holy figures\u2014while modern Christian-majority countries remain preferable contenders. Let\u2019s unpack why\u2014and what Ashura and the Qur\u2019an teach us about migration in Islam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u1005\u1005\u103a\u1015\u103c\u1031\u1038\u1012\u102f\u1000\u1039\u1001\u101e\u100a\u103a\u1019\u103b\u102c\u1038\u101b\u103d\u1031\u1037\u1015\u103c\u1031\u102c\u1004\u103a\u1038\u101c\u102f\u1015\u103a\u101e\u102c\u1038\u1019\u103b\u102c\u1038\u1021\u1015\u1031\u102b\u103a  \u1021\u102d\u102f\u1021\u102d\u102f\u1004\u103a\u1005\u102e \u1019\u103d\u1010\u103a\u1005\u101c\u1004\u103a\u1014\u102d\u102f\u1004\u103a\u1004\u1036\u1019\u103b\u102c\u1038\u104f\u101e\u1018\u1031\u102c\u1011\u102c\u1038\u1015\u103c\u1031\u102c\u1004\u103a\u1038\u101e\u1004\u103a\u1037\u1015\u103c\u102e\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nLugfNPpTN4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. <strong>What Is Ashura\u2014And Why It Matters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In Sunni tradition, the tenth of Muharram\u2014Ashura\u2014commemorates multiple milestones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The parting of the Red Sea and Moses leading the Israelites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Noah disembarking from the Ark.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>God forgiving Adam, and Joseph emerging from prison.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s a day marked by gratitude, fasting, and remembrance of deliverance. By contrast, Shia Muslims commemorate Husayn ibn Ali\u2019s martyrdom on Ashura, seeing it as a solemn day of mourning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So Ashura deeply embeds migration and salvation themes\u2014rescue from oppression and crossing thresholds into safe lands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. <strong>Emigration as Sacred Action<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Qur&#8217;an affirms emigration (hijrah) as righteous:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u201cLo! those who believe, and those who emigrate (to escape persecution) and strive in the way of Allah\u2026\u201d<\/strong> <em>(Al-Baqarah 2:218)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u201cWere not Allah\u2019s earth spacious that you could have migrated therein?\u201d<\/strong> <em>(An-Nisa 4:97)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Prophet \ufdfa himself urged Muslims to relocate when oppression threatened their faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. <strong>The Migration Challenge Today<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet paradoxically, many Muslim-majority (OIC) countries actively restrict refugees\u2014Muslims fleeing violence or persecution. Some forcibly refoule them or bar entry outright, even as they highlight \u201cIslamic solidarity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, some non-Muslim, democratic nations\u2014with no theological mandate\u2014offer made pathways and protections. This contrast presents a perplexing irony: historic prophets and faithful Muslims once sought refuge in far-flung territories; today, many Muslim-majority countries are closing their doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. <strong>Hypothetical: Would OIC Countries Welcome the \u1e63a\u1e25\u0101bah?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider these scenarios:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If Adam &amp; Eve sought refuge from Cain, would they receive asylum in an OIC state?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If Joseph fled persecution, would he be welcomed\u2014or treated as undesirable?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If Moses and the Israelites crossed into Islam-aligned lands, would they have walked unimpeded?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the \u1e63a\u1e25\u0101bah migrated today, would they find sanctuary\u2014or legal hurdles and suspicion?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sadly, many modern examples show they\u2019d likely face suspicion, bureaucracy, or refusal\u2014contrary to core Islamic values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. <strong>Why This Contradiction Matters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ashura and early Islamic tradition celebrated migration as part of a divine narrative of justice and mercy. Yet today, OIC nations often reject those who mirror such migration journeys\u2014Muslim refugees and asylum seekers fleeing persecution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This hypocrisy undermines the moral authority of these states. It contradicts the Qur\u2019an\u2019s guidance and the compassion exemplified during Ashura. Unless OIC countries realign policies with their spiritual heritage, they risk alienating vulnerable Muslims and betraying their own religious identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. <strong>Conclusion: Revival of Islamic Principles Needed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ashura<\/strong> teaches us liberation\u2014spiritual and geographic\u2014is toward safety, justice, and dignity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Qur\u2019anic teachings<\/strong> confirm migration as more than logistical; it\u2019s an act of faith and resilience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Modern policy<\/strong> in many Muslim-majority countries tells a contrary story, neglecting Muslim refugees and prioritizing borders over bodies of faith.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If the \u1e63a\u1e25\u0101bah were to migrate today, they might not find open arms in lands that now claim religious kinship. This disparity isn\u2019t just political\u2014it\u2019s spiritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s high time Muslim-majority nations recall their emigration heritage\u2014not as something locked in history, but as a living, breathing ethos. The true lessons of Hijrah and Ashura demand we restore compassion, open hearts, and open borders to those in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sources for Deeper Reflection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Qur\u2019anic verses (Al-Baqarah 2:218; An-Nisa 4:97\u201399)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sunni &amp; Shia interpretations of Ashura<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hadiths about Hijrah &amp; mercy for the emigrant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Let MMNN readers ruminate: How often do borders override belief? And who is accountable when compassion becomes conditional?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp;Islamic Migration Day Approaches: Why Are OIC Nations Rejecting Muslim Refugees?<\/strong><br><strong>Subtitle:<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>Prophetic Migrations vs. Modern Hypocrisy<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Islamic Migration Day (1st Muharram) approaches, a painful irony emerges: OIC nations, bound by Islamic principles of refuge (<em>Aman<\/em>), are rejecting Muslim migrants fleeing persecution. If the Prophet\u2019s companions (\u1e62a\u1e25\u0101bah) sought&nbsp;<em>Hijrah<\/em>&nbsp;today, would Muslim states welcome them? History suggests otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Sacred Obligation of Hijrah<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Quranic Mandate:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>\u201cWhoever migrates for the cause of Allah will find refuge and abundance\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;(Qur\u2019an 4:100).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>\u201cWas not Allah\u2019s earth spacious that you could have migrated?\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;(Qur\u2019an 4:97) condemns those who abandon the oppressed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Asylum is obligatory for those fleeing injustice, persecution, or insecurity (Ibn al Arabi).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Islamic Law vs. OIC Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Islam mandates protection for&nbsp;<em>all<\/em>&nbsp;refugees\u2014regardless of faith, gender, or wealth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yet OIC states (e.g., Malaysia) raid refugee camps, detain asylum seekers, and close borders despite Myanmar\u2019s civil war and crimes against humanity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ashura\u2019s Lesson: Prophets as Refugees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>On Ashura (10th Muharram), Muslims commemorate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Moses\u2019 exodus across the Red Sea.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Noah\u2019s disembarkation from the Ark.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Joseph\u2019s release from prison.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adam\u2019s forgiveness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Irony:<\/strong>&nbsp;Today, these prophets would be turned away at OIC borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Hypocrisy of Muslim Nations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Malaysia:<\/strong>&nbsp;82% of citizens demand closed borders (Ipsos poll); just 2% support welcoming refugees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ASEAN:<\/strong>&nbsp;Fails to protect refugees from Myanmar\u2019s junta.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Universal Betrayal:<\/strong>&nbsp;OIC nations demand justice for Myanmar\u2019s crimes while arresting its refugees.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Islam\u2019s Forgotten Compassion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key Principles:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Non-Discrimination:<\/strong>&nbsp;Asylum must be granted to Muslims&nbsp;<em>and<\/em>&nbsp;non-Muslims (Qur\u2019an 9:6).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Extra Protection:<\/strong>&nbsp;Women\/children receive priority (Qur\u2019an 4:2\u20139, 75).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Collective Duty:<\/strong>&nbsp;Host societies are rewarded for generosity (Hadith:&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe rights of migrants equal those of hosts\u201d<\/em>).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Modern Law vs. Sharia:<\/strong><br>While the 1951 Refugee Convention excludes many, Islamic law (<em>Hijrah<\/em>) offers broader, unconditional refuge. Yet Muslim states ignore it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion: A Call for Conscience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em><strong>\u201cAll gods and Prophets were migrants once.\u201d<\/strong><\/em>&nbsp;<em>(Attributed to Dr. Ko Ko Gyi)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>If prophets from Moses to Muhammad sought refuge today, OIC gates would slam shut. On Islamic Migration Day, we must confront this shameful contradiction:&nbsp;<strong>How can Muslim nations celebrate Hijrah while denying it to the oppressed?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 MMNN Opinion | Faith &amp; Policy Section<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Imagine if the \u1e63a\u1e25\u0101bah (Companions) of Prophet Muhammad \ufdfa were attempting to migrate today. Would OIC countries welcome them? Or might they be nudged instead toward strictly Christian nations? This thought experiment exposes a troubling reality: OIC nations may not generously receive migrations\u2014even of historic prophets and holy figures\u2014while modern Christian-majority countries remain preferable contenders. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":664,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1228","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history","category-world-muslims"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1228","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1228"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1228\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1232,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1228\/revisions\/1232"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1228"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1228"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1228"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}