Arab Muslim immigrant women in Iceland outside the capital area : immigration experiences and future expectations

• Main Author: Nouh, Fayrouz, 1984-
• Other Authors: Háskólinn á Akureyri
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Félagsvísindi; Meistaraprófsritgerðir; Innflytjendur; Konur; Múslimar; Dreifbýli; Aðlögunarhæfni; Social science; Immigrant women; Society adaptation; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1946/36200

The present study explored the perceptions and the experiences of Arab Muslim immigrant women who immigrated from Arabic countries to live in Iceland outside the capital area. The focus of this study was on the main challenges and obstacles faced by Arab Muslim immigrant women and how these affected their adaptation into Icelandic society. This study investigated how these women identified themselves and how the new environment and the social and cultural values contributed to their integration process in Iceland outside the capital area. The method applied consisted of semi structured in-depth interviews. Nine interviews were carried out with nine Arab Muslim immigrant women aged between 18 and 70 who live in Iceland outside the capital area. Grounded theory approach was used to analyse the data. The findings indicated that these women’s religion played a component role in the experience of immigration and the adaptation process. The findings also suggested that the women’s experiences were effected by other factors such as the cultural differences and the support of the local community which impact the development and maintenance of the women’s identity. Children’s schooling and education had also had an effect on the women’s life in Iceland. The analysis suggested that there is a lack of knowledge about the women’s culture and religion which causes misunderstanding or confusion about their Islamic outfit and some of their acts and behaviors.