But the surge in demand is colliding with a global energy shock . The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted oil supplies, pushing crude prices above $100 a barrel and tightening refined fuel markets, particularly in Asia.

For Indonesia, a major fuel importer, the timing is crucial. Petrol consumption is forecast to rise by around 12% during the Eid period, while demand for aviation fuel and cooking gas also increases sharply as families travel and prepare festive meals.

Higher fuel costs are already feeding into transport prices. Airlines across the region have raised fares or added surcharges as jet fuel prices surge, with some warning of sustained increases if the conflict continues.

At home, the government is attempting to shield consumers through subsidies and assurances that supply remains stable. However, the fiscal burden is mounting. Officials have warned that prolonged high oil prices could push Indonesia beyond its legal budget deficit limit, forcing spending cuts or new revenue measures.

Fuel prices are also politically sensitive in Indonesia, where past increases have triggered protests. Any disruption during the Eid period — when travel and household spending peak — could quickly amplify public frustration.

The central bank has already signalled that the war is limiting room for economic manoeuvre, citing inflationary pressures and currency weakness linked to higher energy costs.

For now, the mudik exodus continues, with packed airports, long ferry queues and congested roads.

“He was our imam and leader,” said a Malaysian Shi’ite who identified himself only as Zulfikar , describing Khamenei as a representative of the awaited Imam Mahdi in Shi’ite belief.

Small groups of Shi’ite adherents gathered outside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur shortly after the strike, chanting slogans against the United States and holding portraits of the late Iranian leader.

But the reaction across Malaysia’s broader Muslim community has been far from uniform.

Malaysia officially recognises only Sunni Islam. Shi’ite teachings have been classified as a “deviant sect” since a 1996 religious ruling, and the spread of the doctrine among Muslims is prohibited.

Sympathy for Khamenei raises eyebrows

Muslims make up the majority of Malaysia’s population . The United States government estimates the country’s population at about 34.2 million as of mid-2023. According to Malaysia’s 2020 national census, around 63.5 per cent of residents identify as Muslim.

The rest of the population follows other faiths, including Buddhism (18.7 per cent), Christianity (9.1 per cent) and Hinduism (6.1 per cent), while smaller groups identify as atheists or adhere to religions such as Sikhism, Taoism and the Baha’i faith. 

Almost all Muslims in Malaysia practise Sunni Islam of the Shafi’i school, which forms the country’s dominant religious tradition.

Because of this, expressions of sympathy for Khamenei have sparked debate among many Sunni Malaysians.

Some prominent Muslim leaders offered condolences and described the Iranian leader as a martyr, a term in Islam traditionally used for those who die in a holy struggle. Their remarks drew criticism online from Malaysians who questioned how the leader of a sect considered deviant could be honoured in that way.

The differing responses highlight a long-standing tension in Malaysia, where Shi’ite Muslims have faced decades of scrutiny and restrictions.

Community representatives say Shi’ite followers have been questioned by religious authorities and security forces, while raids on gatherings and closures of Shi’ite-linked centres have occurred in the past.

Muslim sects in Malaysia

Because of this, some Shi’ite religious activities are conducted quietly, including prayer sessions and discussions held online.

At the same time, the wider conflict involving Iran has shaped how many Malaysians view the killing of its leader.

Malaysia’s government condemned the strike, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim calling the attack hypocritical and criticising Western countries for what he described as double standards on human rights.

“I would like to express condolences to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei and his family; the leaders as well as the education community who were killed by the bomb attack by Israel and the United States,” Ibrahim said . 

However, reactions among ordinary Malaysians remain divided.

While some expressed sympathy for Iran and anger at the United States and Israel, others welcomed the strike online, citing Iran’s role in regional conflicts such as the Syrian civil war.

“Crowded, enclosed and poorly ventilated spaces increase the risk of transmission, especially if an individual with untreated active TB is present,” the ministry said.

It stressed that Ramadan itself is not a cause of TB transmission, but warned that increased social interaction during the month could raise exposure risks.

“Ramadan itself is not a cause of TB transmission. However, higher social interaction during the month may increase exposure risks,” the statement added.

The ministry said community awareness and early action remain crucial to controlling the disease. “With collective action, we can ensure a safe and healthy Ramadan for all,” it said, noting that TB spreads differently from respiratory viruses.

“Unlike influenza or Covid-19, TB spreads more slowly and usually requires prolonged and repeated exposure,” the ministry said.

As part of its advisory, the public was urged to practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette, ensure indoor areas are well ventilated, wear masks if symptomatic or when in crowded places, and seek medical attention for a cough lasting more than two weeks or other TB-related symptoms.

By state, Sabah recorded the highest number of cases (755), followed by Selangor (596) and Sarawak (332). Johor recorded 280 cases, while Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya logged 244. At the other end of the scale, Labuan reported the lowest number (18), with Perlis (21) and Melaka (48) also among the lowest.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islam ic calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection. From dawn to sunset, adults abstain from food and drink as an act of devotion and self-discipline. The month commemorates the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad and is regarded as the holiest period in Islam.

The designation follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump several weeks ago, directing his administration to begin the process of blacklisting the groups. The move allows the US government to impose sanctions, freeze assets under US jurisdiction and criminalise material support linked to the named organisations.

The Muslim Brotherhood has strongly rejected the decision. Salah Abdel Haq, the acting general guide of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, said the group “categorically rejects this designation” and would pursue legal action to challenge it.

“This decision harms millions of Muslims worldwide,” Abdel Haq said in a statement to Al Jazeera. He denied any involvement in terrorism, insisting the organisation had not directed, funded or carried out violent acts. “We deny all allegations that the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood has directed, funded, provided material support for or engaged in terrorism,” he said .

Abdel Haq also suggested that external pressure influenced Washington’s move, pointing to Israel and the United Arab Emirates as key drivers behind the decision.

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, is a transnational Islamist movement with branches and affiliated groups across the Middle East and beyond.

Asia remains home to the vast majority, as more than 1.6 billion Muslims are in Indonesia, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, forming the core. Indonesia alone has over 240 million Muslims, more than any other country in the world.

Africa follows with approximately 763 million Muslims, reflecting Islam’s long historical influence across North, West, and East Africa.

The above map breaks down the distribution clearly:

Many Muslim-majority countries have some of the world’s youngest and fastest-growing populations . This positions them at the centre of future global workforce trends and economic potential.

Nations like Pakistan, Nigeria , Indonesia, and Egypt have median ages below 25, meaning they will significantly influence global markets and labour dynamics in the coming decades.

Additionally, Muslim-majority regions hold critical economic power. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region contain over 48% of the world’s proven oil reserves and nearly 40% of global natural gas reserves, giving these countries major leverage in international energy markets.

Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are now also among the world’s most active investors, shaping sectors from technology to real estate across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently claimed that Christians are being specifically targeted , citing figures that 3,100 of the 4,470 victims were Christian.

However, security experts dispute this assertion, noting that Islamist violence in Nigeria is often indiscriminate, affecting both Christians and Muslims alike.

Analysts emphasise that many of the deadliest attacks have struck Muslim-majority communities, and no reliable data proves Christians are disproportionately targeted.

Experts point instead to complex, overlapping causes behind the violence, from struggles over political power and land disputes to deep-rooted ethnic tensions.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s military remains overstretched, underfunded, and mired in corruption , leaving it unable to sustain gains against insurgents who have adapted with new funding networks, local alliances, and control of rural zones.

From 2015 to 2020, Muslim women in countries like Finland recorded an average of 3.1 children per woman, compared to 1.7 among non-Muslims.

Pew’s analysis explains that this difference stems from two main factors: age and fertility. Muslim populations in Europe tend to be younger and have higher fertility rates, while non-Muslim populations are older and generally have fewer children.

Many European nations now have overall fertility levels well below the “replacement rate” of 2.1 — the average number of children needed to maintain a stable population. Without migration or shifts in birth trends, that means gradual population decline.

But Pew researchers caution that fertility alone doesn’t explain Europe’s demographic future. Factors like migration, education, urbanisation, and economic conditions all influence how populations evolve. They note that while Muslim birth rates are higher, they are not static, they often decrease as communities settle, integrate, and adapt to local social and economic environments.

The data comes at a time when Europe faces growing concerns over aging populations, labor shortages, and social integration. Policymakers in countries such as Germany, France, and Sweden are debating how to balance immigration, family policies, and workforce demands in the decades ahead.

Ultimately, the Pew findings highlight a simple but significant reality: fertility trends are not just about numbers, they reflect deeper social shifts. Europe’s demographic future will depend not only on how many children people have, but also on how societies adapt to change.