Examining the Challenges of IIUM Students in Developing Social Solidarity in a Multicultural Muslim Community: A Phenomenological Study

IIUM, an institution of higher education rooted in Islamic principles, aims to establish itself as a hub of academic distinction with a strong focus on promoting Islamic values and global engagement. The vision and mission of the institution reflect a commitment to embracing the Ummatic concept. The study aims to investigate the experiences of students at IIUM regarding this matter, focusing on the challenges of Muslim students at IIUM in developing social solidarity within the diverse Muslim community during their academic journey. The study employed the phenomenological research design, where ten participants were selected using purposive sampling. The data were then analyzed using thematic analysis. Research findings of the study showed that participants had some challenges in developing social solidarity with a multicultural community of students through several themes namely university policy, psychological matters, and sociological well-being. It emphasizes the need to improve the curriculum, co-curriculum, and learning environment that considers the multicultural background of the students. The study highlights the necessity for collaboration between educators and university administrators in enhancing curriculum, pedagogy, and administrative procedures that foster social solidarity among multicultural student populations in Islamic educational institutions like IIUM.