There's probably a lot of truth in that - although I prefer to think that a society doesn't have to integrate a group into it - I prefer to think that a group has to integrate into a society.
If I were to go and live in say, Asia - which I am not - I would not expect them to change to suit my culture - I would be thinking that it was me who had to make the adjustments to fit into their culture.
That said - I think that Muslims (IN GENERAL) do have a lot more difficulty integrating. (I know several who have integrated very well though).
So -- why would it be? Why would it be that it's harder for them than others?
If we compare Muslims in general to say Vietnamese in general to say, Italians in general - we find some differences and some similarities -
first - lets look at the biggest driver of forced immigration --------- war
Which of the 3 in the above has been driven to Australia by war?
easy -
Vietnamese and Muslims (remember - not all - it's general)
Italians -- no.
Which of the 3 groups have habits and cultural activities that are close or very close to Aussies
easy
Vietnamese - who love nothing more than to sit down and drink copious amounts of beer, eat food and enjoy family life - with a little Buddhism on the side
Italians - who more enjoys food, wine, music, family etc etc. - with the older ones having religious connection
Muslims - no - pretty much no grog, not big on music or dancing - but very strong on family
However, the latter is not enough to stop integrating - there are plenty of non drinking, non music loving non dancing Aussies - born and bred - but, they get on ---------- and,
if you travel to many (MOST) Muslim majority countries - you find the people are by and large very very friendly and hospitable -- no grog, but food everywhere, friendship everywhere, strong family and friend connections
so, what's the difference?
IMO the difference is that it's the combination of being forced out by war PLUS the lack of enough of those cultural similarities that create the problem.
Muslims who by and large come because they want to come for some reason - even though their homeland is in peace - generally fit it without many issues from what I understand.
Someone, on the other hand who is perfectly happy in their own homeland and does not want to leave, but is forced to leave by war or fear of persecution -- doesn't want to leave in the first place - they are forced to.
They enjoy their culture right as it is - it's the last thing they want to abandon. Then, the places they get to where they choose for safety are a big gap away from cultural activities that they are used to or that their beliefs allow.
So, they end up where they think they will be safe - that's number one - number 2 would be a place that will look after them - who can be pillared for that one?
But, although grateful - one has to realise that it's not a choice they would make if not forced to by war etc.. - add to that the cultural differences - which the Vietnamese and Italians, Greeks, Scots, Irish, etc etc don't have a problem with - indeed, it's just like home - except the words for 'your shout' are in a different language - and, hence - we have the problem - or more rightly - many Muslims have the problem.
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