Hari Raya 2019: refugees in Malaysia mourn lost dreams as they mark Eid

For many displaced families, the Muslim festival is a low-key affair as they eke out a living in a strange land

Advocacy groups say the government must show greater political will in tackling the plight of Malaysia’s estimated 170,400 refugees

4-MIN READ4-MIN

In Malaysia refugees are unable to work, attend school, or access public health care. Photo: Tashny Sukumaran

Published: 8:29pm, 5 Jun 2019Updated: 10:25pm, 5 Jun 2019

Eid festivities are meant to be marked by family, food and laughter, but for Malaysia’s refugee communities, celebrations are often a more muted affair.

The Muslim holiday at the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan brings with it reminders of the homes they have left behind.

“In my country, the celebrations will be large. Tables full of food will take up a space this big,” says Afghan refugee Mohseni in halting but expressive English, as he motions from one end of his living room to the other.

“But here, I am just tired. We have no money to go out, so we stay home,” he adds, before apologising for only being able to serve tea, nuts and chunks of home-made baklava, a pastry dessert.

Mohseni, 37, and his family sought refuge in Malaysia a year and eight months ago, and are waiting for the UN refugee agency to resettle them in Australia. Photo: Tashny Sukumaran

Mohseni, 37, sought refuge in Malaysia a year and eight months ago, and is waiting for the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, to resettle him in Australia. He has no idea when the move will take place, although his documents have been given to Australia’s High Commission in Kuala Lumpur. His youngest daughter, aged two, is grappling with health issues – at just eight months old she was diagnosed with leukaemia.