Sense of belonging 'crucial' for immigrants

Graduand Hussain Raissi says in an ideal society, fostering a sense of belonging would be a collaborative effort between immigrants and the wider society.

Hussain Raissi, a refugee from Afghanistan, will graduate with a PhD on Saturday after researching a topic close to his heart. Drawing from his own experiences, Hussain examined the experiences of young, Muslim refugees in Aotearoa New Zealand.

While working with Afghan refugees in France between November 2016 and February 2019, he saw firsthand how tricky it can be for young Muslims to negotiate fitting into their new surroundings and holding on to their religious and cultural identity.

"One story that sticks with me is of this young Afghan man who spent his refugee allowance on a Formula 1 outfit. He thought it would help him blend in with European youth, and that moment really highlighted how much pressure there is on these young people to normalise themselves in their new surroundings," Hussain says.

Hussain moved to New Zealand in April 2019 to start his PhD through the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies.

He noticed similarities and differences between how France and New Zealand related to Muslim refugees.

"In both France and New Zealand, things like religiosity, and discrimination play a big part in shaping how Muslim youth feel about where they belong.

"But what stood out to me in New Zealand was that there seemed to be more support from the community, and the country itself tends to promote diversity and multiculturalism more than France, where the focus is often on assimilation."

Hussain used a mixed methods approach to collect information for his thesis Exploring senses of belonging: A multidimensional study of Muslim immigrant youth in New Zealand. He surveyed 258 Muslim immigrants, aged between 16 and 29, and interviewed 20 of the group, all from major urban areas of New Zealand.

When discussing the adaptation of immigrants and newcomers, especially in academia and policy-making, the focus often lies on tangible aspects such as housing, employment, health, and education, while the subjective aspect of adaptation - particularly the sense of belonging, is frequently overlooked, he says.

The sense of belonging and feeling welcome in a new country is "crucial".

"These individuals often navigate the delicate balance between their Islamic faith and the cultural norms of their new environment, which is vital for their personal growth and integration."

A strong sense of belonging significantly enhances life satisfaction and psychological well-being. Additionally, feeling welcomed and integrated into the wider society fosters resilience and adaptability, he says. All of these things enable this group to navigate cultural dualities and counteract discrimination.

When they are made to feel welcome, it promotes social integrations and provides greater education and employment opportunities, both of which are crucial for social and economic participation, he says.

This engagement helps youth develop their skills, boost self-esteem, and foster a feeling of belonging.

"Cultural diversity enriches the social fabric of the country and brings different perspectives, ideas, and innovations that benefit society as a whole."

When immigrants are not made to feel welcome and as though they belong, it can lead to a sense of isolation, marginalisation and health issues such as anxiety and depression.

"For young people, it can cause identity confusion and lead to coping mechanisms like dissimulation, where they conceal their true identity to fit in, resulting in long-term emotional strain and a loss of cultural roots."

Ultimately, this could lead to social fragmentation, a weakening of social cohesion, social unrest and conflict.

In an ideal society, fostering a sense of belonging should be a collaborative effort between immigrants and the wider society, Hussain says.

On one hand, immigrants need to develop competencies such as communication skills, acquiring knowledge about social norms and values of the wider society, and being motivated to cultivate this sense of belonging.

"This involves actively engaging with the community, participating in cultural exchanges, and being open to learning and adapting."

On the other hand, the wider society has a crucial role in providing opportunities for immigrants to thrive in all aspects of life. This means creating an inclusive environment where ethnic-religious affiliations are not barriers to success, he says.

Policies should support cultural recognition and preservation, religious freedom, integration and social support, anti-discrimination measures, community dialogue, and employment assistance.

"Ultimately, the responsibility for fostering a welcoming and inclusive society lies with both immigrants and the wider community. It requires mutual effort, understanding, and respect to create a harmonious and thriving multicultural society."