ISLAMIC IDENTITY IN THE WEST: EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ON MUSLIM COMMUNITIES
Indonesia 
Singapore Singapore 
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Cultural Adaptation, Islamic Identity, Muslim Communities
Abstract
Immigration has significantly reshaped the social, cultural, and religious landscapes of Western societies, creating complex processes of identity formation among Muslim communities. Islamic identity within Western contexts represents an evolving phenomenon influenced by migration experiences, cultural adaptation, religious continuity, and social interactions. This study aims to examine how immigration affects the construction, preservation, and transformation of Islamic identity among Muslim communities in the West. A qualitative research approach was employed using a phenomenological case study design involving Muslim immigrants, second-generation Muslims, religious leaders, and community organizers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis, followed by thematic analysis to identify patterns of identity negotiation and community development. The findings reveal that immigration does not diminish Islamic identity but contributes to its reconstruction through processes of religious continuity, cultural adaptation, identity negotiation, community belonging, and intergenerational transmission. The study demonstrates that Muslim communities actively develop hybrid identities by maintaining Islamic values while engaging with Western social environments. The research concludes that Islamic identity in the West should be understood as a dynamic and contextual process shaped by migration, institutional support, and social interaction. The study contributes to migration and religious studies by offering a nuanced perspective on Muslim identity transformation in multicultural societies.
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References
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