On the relationship between religion and social integration: the example of Turks living in the Netherlands

Migration has always maintained its presence and importance in society. The cause, type and result of migration have emerged in different ways, both changing by adapting to modern society, and creating mutual interaction between people with the aspect of transforming society. In this context, the phenomenon of migration was chosen as the subject of the study. The main question of the study is the role and effects of religion in the integration process of individuals, with local people in the region, migrating from Turkey to the Netherlands. The main purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of religion on social integration in the migration process in depth. In the study, it was preferred to use a qualitative research approach in order to understand the role of religion in the social integration process of individuals migrating from Turkey to the Netherlands to the region and the local community. The research, which was planned in two stages, was carried out by first analyzing the existing information in depth through a literature review and then collecting primary data through semi-structured interview technique, which is one of the qualitative research methods. The sample consists of 22 immigrants from Turkey residing in the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht in the Netherlands. The interviews conducted within the scope of the study were analyzed in depth and meaningful themes were reached; the themes were compared with similar studies in the literature and interpreted through thematic analysis. In the study, individuals who define themselves as religious and those who do not define themselves as religious are analyzed in terms of the integration process. The interviews conducted within the scope of the study were analyzed in depth to reach meaningful themes; themes were compared with similar studies in the literature and interpreted by performing thematic analysis. The study concluded that religion has a significant effect on the integration process of individuals who define themselves as religious and those who do not. The clarification of religious identity in immigrants allows for socialization within the religious group, while it causes separations with different groups.