World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Rohingya refugees in Malaysia face barriers to worship and acceptance
Rohingya refugees in Malaysia face barriers to practicing their faith and finding a sense of belonging.
The Rohingya are a predominantly Muslim minority from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, where they have faced violence and restrictions on religious life.
About 126,000 Rohingya were registered with the UN refugee agency in Malaysia as of February 2026.
Malaysia does not legally recognize refugees, leaving them vulnerable to detention, and some avoid mosques because they fear immigration checks.
Some Rohingya also face discrimination at local mosques, while others miss praying alongside people from their own villages and having Rohingya imams lead prayers.
The obstacles make it harder to rebuild community life after fleeing Myanmar, though some refugees say local Muslim leaders have welcomed them.
About 126,000 Rohingya were registered with the U.N. refugee agency in Malaysia as of February 2026.
Many Rohingya refugees face barriers to worship and a sense of belonging in the Muslim-majority country.
Malaysia does not legally recognize refugees, leaving them vulnerable to detention.
Rohingya refugees cannot officially register their own places of worship, according to religious freedom group CSW.
Some refugees avoid mosques because they fear immigration detention or face discrimination.
- Who
- Rohingya refugees in Malaysia, including Nur Sadek, Nurul Hakim and Mohammed Rafique.
- What
- They face barriers to practicing their faith and finding acceptance.
- When
- The article was published on November 6, 2026; it says about 126,000 Rohingya were registered in Malaysia as of February 2026.
- Where
- Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur.
- Why
- Malaysia does not legally recognize refugees, and some face discrimination or fear detention when visiting mosques.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mohammed Rafique fled Myanmar with his wife and five children, while they stayed in Bangladesh and he continued to Malaysia.
Nurul Hakim left Myanmar as the first of his 10 siblings to flee.
Nur Sadek fled Myanmar after soldiers opened fire on his community.
About 126,000 Rohingya were registered with UNHCR in Malaysia.
The Associated Press published its report on Rohingya refugees’ difficulties practicing their faith and finding acceptance in Malaysia.
- Registered Rohingya in Malaysia
- About 126,000 as of February 2026
- UNHCR
- United Nations refugee agency
- Nur Sadek’s flight
- 2017
- Nurul Hakim’s departure from Myanmar
- 2010
- Mohammed Rafique’s departure from Myanmar
- 2009
What people are saying
Most of the Rohingya don’t have their own imam leading the prayers because the mosques are run by Malay imams
There is no difference in praying at a different mosque, but there are differences with who you are praying with
Religious solidarity is often overtaken by social and cultural differences between the two groups