In Their Own Words: Muslim Migrant Women’s Experience of Inclusion in Ireland

The number of migrants in the world has now risen to comprise almost 3.7% of the world’s population. Although the inclusion of migrants within mainstream society has significant benefits for them and the receiving societies, they are at risk of exclusion. With an expanding population of Muslim migrants in Ireland and the persistence of extremism and anti-immigration discourses and their impact throughout the world, it is important to investigate the inclusion of this fast-growing community into Irish society. This study aimed to explore how Muslim migrant women living in Ireland conceptualize inclusion and exclusion based on their lived experience. Four focus groups and four interviews (n = 31) were conducted and thematically analyzed to explore the meanings of inclusion to participants. This qualitative study highlights the importance of integrating the voice of migrants into any conceptual framework that intends to understand or explain their inclusion. Our participants’ definition of inclusion goes beyond the absence of discrimination and exclusion and involves receiving recognition and appreciation from the receiving society. Findings suggest that the experience of inclusion is associated with acceptance, social engagement, equality, freedom, and support. Furthermore, participants perceived Islamophobic stereotypes, Hijab, and a lack of socializing opportunities as barriers to their inclusion.