Exploring the role of faith in resettlement among Muslim Syrian refugees

• Published in: Journal of religion & spirituality in social work 2018-07, Vol.37 (3), p.223-238
• Main Authors: Hasan, Nabiha, Mitschke, Diane B., Ravi, Kristen E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Drinking behavior; Empowerment; Islam; Muslims; Qualitative research; refugee; Refugees; Religion; religious coping; resettlement; Resilience; Self esteem; Syrian
• ISSN: 1542-6432; 1542-6440
• DOI: 10.1080/15426432.2018.1461045

Over 95% of the refugees from Syria who have resettled in the United States are Muslim. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the role of the Islamic faith in contributing to resiliency among recently resettled refugees from Syria. Ten in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with Syrian adults who had arrived in the United States between 3 months and 2 years prior to the study. Findings emphasized the primary role of the Islamic faith in the lives of participants. For participants in this study, identifying as Muslim was an essential part of their identity and served as a source of comfort, strength, pride, and humility. Parents in the study expressed fears that their children would lose their connection to their culture and would grow up to devalue the Islamic faith and traditional religious practices due to their exposure to American values which they viewed less strict regarding dress, alcohol consumption, and faith practices. Understanding the important role that the Islamic faith can have in providing a source of comfort, strength, and empowerment for Syrian refugees, and working to build infrastructure to support and sustain these faith traditions is an essential component of refugee resettlement in the United States.