Forced mass migrations and the role of religion in the process of social cohesion: The case of Syrian refugees

The phenomenon of international forced migration that has marked the 21st century needs to be examined not only in terms of national security, international relations, socio-political balances or demographic aspects, but also in terms of its sociological dimensions within the context of the societal mobility it has generated. The rapid increase in international mass human mobility has attracted the attention of researchers regarding the possibility of different societal groups living together. In this context, the process of social cohesion becomes one of the most important points to be examined in the study of migration. The process of integration, which is directly proportional to social acceptance and strengthens social interaction and how it shapes the process of religious and cultural proximity, also needs to be carefully considered and researched. This study, consisting of an introduction and three sections, discusses the role of religion in the process of social cohesion. In the first section of the study, concepts and theories related to the phenomenon of migration are discussed, and the role of migrants in the process is analyzed. In the second section, which deals with the relationship between social cohesion and religion, the impact of various factors such as culture, identity, globalization, diaspora, ghetto, and social interaction on inter-group dynamics is explained. In the final section of the study, the possibility and dimensions of different ethnic groups with shared religious beliefs and practices living together are examined through the example of Syrian refugees residing in Ankara province.