Muslim Migrants’ Experience of Migration and the Role Religion Plays in this Journey

Abstract

Background: Muslim migrants report various challenges of migration, including adjustment, isolation, discrimination and Islamophobia. The literature shows that religion helps this cohort manage these challenges but does not directly ask about the role of religion during migration or the aspects of religion that are beneficial for them. Methodology: A critical realist research paradigm was used to qualitatively explore Muslim migrants’ experience of migration and the role of religion during this experience. A Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach was used to facilitate collaboration with Muslim migrants as co-researchers across all aspects of this research, including the design, and analysis. Purposive sampling was used to recruit co-researchers and participants for this study and co-researchers chose to use focus group discussions to address two research questions (n = 7, aged between 32-58). Findings: The framework of Collaborative Qualitative Analysis (CQA) was used to carry out Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). Twelve themes were generated across both research questions. Concerning the first question that asked, ‘How do Muslim migrants make sense of their experience of migration?’ themes were: first steps in the UK, overcoming obstacles, migration motives are diverse, experiences of change and growth, weaving the safety net, taking root, finding ground. The second question asked, ‘What is the meaning and utility of religious beliefs and practices during struggles, trials and challenges?’ and themes were: expressing beliefs facing reactions, a mosaic of faith, faith under pressure, anchored in faith, from generation to generation, standing on our own ground. Conclusions and implications: Findings led to praxis as a part of this research, namely a community resource based on Islamic values that was developed by co-researchers to support community cohesion. Implications of the research centre Muslim migrants, the discipline of psychology and research and academia.