Hadhrami Arabs in Britain's policy towards Muslims in Malaya before the Japanese occupation, 1939-1941

Britain, fiercely striving to save its Empire, sought the support of Hadhrami Arabs, recognising the pivotal role they could play in rallying Malay Muslims in the event of an impending war. This was essential to counteract Axis powers’ anti-British appeals to Malay Muslims, which could potentially incite protests – or even worse – fifth-column activities, writes Omar T. Nasr