Abim president Ahmad Fahmi Samsudin says the resolutions reflect the views and experiences of NGOs working directly with refugee communities.
Another resolution adopted at the Kuala Lumpur: Solidarity with Refugees conference was the rejection of all forms of hatred, discrimination, dehumanisation and incitement against refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable groups.
The conference also recognised legitimate public concerns related to the security, law enforcement, social wellbeing, and community harmony that should be addressed responsibly and based on facts, reported Bernama.
It called for greater public education, media literacy, and measures to combat misinformation, hate speech, and xenophobic sentiments that could undermine social cohesion.
The conference, held at the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, was attended by representatives from civil society organisations, academic institutions, humanitarian bodies, international organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders.
Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) president Ahmad Fahmi Samsudin said the resolutions reflected the views and experiences of NGOs working directly with refugee communities and were intended to help the government formulate more effective solutions.
Fahmi said the conference aimed to promote a more balanced approach to refugee issues while addressing misconceptions, misinformation, and growing anti-refugee sentiment.
“We need to advance a narrative that acknowledges existing challenges while reducing misconceptions.
“We want to bring this issue back to the middle ground so that it is no longer viewed solely through narratives that are often misunderstood.
“Today, we may be talking about hatred directed at refugees, but if these concerns are not properly addressed, we fear such sentiments could spread to other segments of society,” he said.
Rights group urges Malaysians to reject misinformation, avoid stigmatising refugees
The National Human Rights Society (Hakam) urged Malaysians to reject misinformation and avoid stigmatising refugees, warning that increasingly hostile rhetoric risks fuelling prejudice and discrimination.
Hakam president M Ramachelvam expressed concern over what he described as the growing normalisation of xenophobic language directed at refugees and migrants, particularly on social media and public forums.
He said discussions on refugees and migration must be grounded in facts, empathy and respect, rather than fear or collective blame.
“While legitimate discussions on migration management, public resources, and government policy are important, they must never be used to justify hatred, dehumanisation, or collective blame,” he said in a statement in conjunction with World Refugee Day 2026.
Ramachelvam called on media organisations and public figures to report on refugee issues responsibly, and to avoid narratives that stigmatise entire communities.
He also urged social media platforms to take meaningful action against hate speech and incitement targeting refugees and migrants.
He said refugees should not be defined solely by their displacement, noting that many contribute meaningfully to society despite facing legal and social barriers.
“On this World Refugee Day, we urge Malaysians to look beyond fear and division. A society is ultimately judged not by how it treats the powerful, but by how it treats the most vulnerable,” he said. - FMT
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