Tenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

Considering the new wave of migration from many Asian countries to other parts of the world raises the question of integration of Asian women into other cultures and social structures. Even though language, education, and work are usually regarded as essential factors in the process of integration, I suggest other factors, including the role of positive emotions for this process as well. In this context, I investigate the relationship between emotions, religion, and gender, and its impact on process of integration of Muslim migrant women through an interdisciplinary qualitative approach that involves Gender Studies, Social Psychology, and Sociology of Religion. The research aims to investigate the role of religion in cultivating or preventing positive emotions which are important for self-agency of a Muslim migrant in the process of integration. The underlying assumption of this research is that religion plays a significant role in the integration process through its potential to enhance emotions such as love, respect, resilience, and joy. Therefore, it needs to be researched further, and included in the steps needed for successful integration. In this way, I expand the research on integration with practice-oriented emotion research, and then further develop related new practical concepts. I apply qualitative methods, including group discussions among Muslim migrants in Germany for this process. The migrant women share their experiences and knowledge on the subject, thus making it possible for me to design the practical concept on the impact of emotions in the process of integration of Muslim women in Germany.