Connection to the community is a vital component of thriving religiosity for Muslims and provides a sense of belonging that is commonly used in the field of psychology to refer to the human need for acceptance, understanding, and to be part of a greater whole. Correlating with the Islamic concept of brotherhood and sisterhood (ukhuwwa) in the ummah, our beloved Messenger ﷺ told us, “The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever.” In this paper, we draw upon the prophetic biography (sīra) and how the Prophet ﷺ actualized the concept of brother/sisterhood by establishing a sense of belonging and community integration amongst the Medinan Helpers (anṣār) and the Meccan Emigrants (muhājirūn) during the migration. This paper will take the case study of Uyghur Muslims in the global diaspora, fleeing genocide in China, as a modern-day example of the muhājirūn who critically need integration into the greater Muslim ummah. This qualitative study draws upon interviews to outline the mental health challenges, loss of sense of belonging, disenfranchisement from the ummah, and loss of institutional and community connection experienced by Uyghur immigrants and refugees. ….more
