Islam and the Arab Muslim Refugees in United States

The studies of Arab Muslim refugees in the United States are just in the beginning; research is needed on wellbeing of families. Refugees have more challenges than many other immigrants because of what they have experienced before and after they arrive to United States. Politics, religion, and culture overlap to shape these refugees’ lives.  Islam is one of the main factors that influence refugees’ resettlement and adaptation in their new home. New opportunities challenge traditional ways of living. The paper will draw on some of the findings of an on-going research study exploring refugees’ religion continuity and change: fate, rituals, and practices, the role of religion in refugees’ resettlement, adaptation, and emotional support, types of challenges faced for being Muslim, and the role of Muslim communities in refugees’ resettlement. A qualitative approach was used to investigate the perceptions and experiences of female Arab refugees. Semi structured interviews were conducted with refugees in the middle Atlantic area. Grounded theory was used to build useful theory about Arab Muslim refugees’ religion continuity. Findings emphasize the importance of taking a holistic approach in understanding Arab Muslim refugees’ needs which can lead to successful integration into the American society. Islam is more than religion; it represents a strong emotional support that ties the family together and helps them to assimilate to the new culture, and passing their religious values to their children is one of their priorities. In addition, it appears important for the wellbeing of refugees that they maintain their religious rituals while encouraged to integrate to the new culture. Social ties play an important role on family’s wellbeing and emotional support represented on other refugee friends, relatives, and American friends.