The acclimatization and integration of Middle Eastern immigrants into the Western European societies can take different forms. The most common is to create and take part in activities brought along from the Middle East, such as religious traditions and political engagement in questions concerning one’s home country and/or national/ethnic backgrounds. These engagements may restrict social interactions with individuals from other ethnic/national backgrounds. This is often the first phase of trying to find spheres of belonging in your new host country (Haddad 2006).
Another quest for belonging manifests in immigrants’ search for engagements that combine activities and traditions that have a natural continuation in Western Europe. One example of this is sports. For example, in Sweden engagement in soccer has been successful and in 2005, the team Assyriska (Assyrians) made it all the way to the highest division (Allsvenskan). During the 2011 season, starting on April 3, 2011, Syrianska (Syrians) will participate in Allsvenskan. This illustrates how the quest for belonging could be a joint meeting between traditions and engagements that have their roots in both the “old” and the “new” contexts.
The same phenomena could be seen when it comes to traditions of sobriety. Sweden has a long tradition of prohibition and still one can only buy alcohol in special government-owned stores (Systembolaget). The Swedish Temperance Movement is very strong and is often said to be a fundamental institution in civil society and for Swedish democracy. The Temperance Movement is now being renewed through the enrollment of Muslim youth with national origins in the Middle East.
Through interviews and participant observations, this paper explores how the quest for belonging among Middle Eastern youth in the Swedish society could be met by engagement in the Swedish Temperance Movement and by active participation with Swedish sports associations. At this point, data-collection is in-progress; therefore there are no conclusions about the theoretical frame or frames to be employed. But preliminary findings suggest a fluid theoretical frame akin to the perspective of political scientist Peter Skerry who argues, “Assimilation is not what we think it is. Rather than a seamless whole, assimilation has many facets; rather than one-directional, it is dialectical; rather than tranquil it gives rise to conflict” (Center for Immigration Studies 1998:5). Building upon Skerry’s many facets, early data indicate acclimatization and integration may also give rise to consensus and belonging.
Religious Studies/Theology