World Refugee Day is celebrated every year on June 20, to support millions of families all over the world who were forced to abandon their homes and loved ones.

The United Nations marks this year’s event under the theme, “Whoever. Wherever. Whenever. Everyone has the right to seek safety.”

In a statement to mark the occasion, the UN wrote on its website, “Whoever they are, people forced to flee should be treated with dignity. Anyone can seek protection, regardless of who they are or what they believe. It is non-negotiable: seeking safety is a human right.

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“Wherever they come from, people forced to flee should be welcomed. Refugees come from all over the globe. To get out of harm’s way, they might take a plane, a boat, or travel on foot. What remains universal is the right to seek safety.

“Whenever people are forced to flee, they have a right to be protected. Whatever the threat – war, violence, persecution – everyone deserves protection. Everyone has a right to be safe.”

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Refugees Rights in Islam

In Islam, asylum is a right of anyone seeking protection.

Islam also requires believers to assist and protect vulnerable people and offers a number of mechanisms for their care and support.

According to Islamic migration law (hijrah), individuals have the right both to seek and to be granted asylum in any Muslim state.

“And if anyone of the disbelievers seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the word of Allah, and then escort him to where he will be secure.” (Qur’an 9:6)

Furthermore, it is the duty of Muslims to accept and protect refugees for as long as they seek protection.

The Qur’an calls on Muslims to “give what is due to… the wayfarer” (Q30:38; Q17:26). Through zakat, Muslims give a percentage of their annual savings as alms to help vulnerable people, and this includes “travellers in need” (Q9:60).

The World Refugee Day was established by the UN General Assembly for the refugees to honor them for their courage of facing lots of problems after losing homes due to conflict or violence and their contributions to their communities.

The day was first established on 20 June 2001, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.