P065 Navigating Identity and Inclusion: The Trajectory of Bidayuh Muslim Converts and Fiqh al-Ta’ayush

Abstract

Sarawak, Malaysia, is uniquely characterised by high ethnic and religious diversity, and interethnic marriage is relatively prevalent. Such unions include marriages between Malays and indigenous groups such as Iban and Bidayuh, as well as between other ethnic communities. Thus, this study investigates how Bidayuh Muslim converts navigate socio-religious friction and familial rejection following their conversion. Utilising a qualitative research design, the data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with four Bidayuh Muslim converts to capture their lived experiences and coping mechanisms. The thematic analysis highlights a distinct three-phase trajectory of identity negotiation: Dual Disconnection, where the converts face isolation from both their non-Muslim families and the mainstream Muslim community; Cultural Preservation, characterised by an active resistance to total assimilation into Malay cultural norms; and Active Boundary Negotiation, where initial familial hostility transitions into a structured period of adjustment. By employing the Islamic legal framework of Fiqh al-Ta’ayush (Jurisprudence of Co-existence) within the realm of Muamalat (social relations), the converts intentionally negotiate boundaries, such as selective participation in cultural festivities. Ultimately, this qualitative inquiry demonstrates how the Muslim converts successfully preserve their intrinsic Bidayuh heritage, while fulfilling Islamic filial obligations, and thereby acting as crucial inter-communal mediators that foster broader social harmony.