Integration of migrants must be a 'two-way process'

The integration of migrants is a "two-way process" that requires reciprocal action by the State and its immigrants, it was argued last night.

Philip Watt, director of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, said that while most Muslims were integrating in Irish society, others needed support to do so, and this required "strong leadership" from politicians and others.

"Integration is not assimilation. It's a two-way process where we would encourage people to come here. They need to be encouraged to learn the language . . . But likewise, we have to show that we value their presence and their contribution to society. Most Muslims in Irish society are integrating, but the few that are not need support."

Addressing a debate organised by UCD's Newman Society on the motion that "Muslims are not integrating enough into Irish society", Mr Watt said he was concerned that in recent times a worrying discourse of Islamophobia - understood as a specific form of racism towards Muslims - was becoming more prevalent.

Among the components that defined and contributed to this discourse was the view that Islam is "a monolithic bloc, static and unresponsive to change".

"Islam is seen as separate and 'other'. It does not have values in common with other cultures, is not affected by them and does not influence them. Islam is seen as inferior to the West. It is seen as barbaric, irrational, primitive and sexist. Islam is seen as violent, aggressive, threatening, supportive of terrorism and engaged in a 'clash of civilisations'," Mr Watt said.

He added that there was a need for debate on immigration, "but let's have common rules and let's not be offensive to other people".

Sheikh Dr Shaheed Satardien, who caused controversy last year when he said Islamic leaders in Ireland were "in denial" about the radicalisation of young Irish Muslims, said many Muslims were not integrating.

He contended there was a difference between a migrant and an immigrant, the former residing here only temporarily and not establishing roots in the country, and the latter intending to stay and seeking to integrate.

"Many people in the Muslim community are migrants who stay for 25, 28 years . . . and they don't speak English.

"The notion that one feels integrated while at the same time wanting to change that society in a way that is alien and unwanted means that the concept of integration is not understood by some Muslims," he said.

Paddy Monaghan, an author and Catholic lay missionary, supporting the motion, cited the finding of a poll carried out last year that suggested 57 per cent of young Muslims wanted to see the Republic become an Islamic state and some 19 per cent of Muslims said they respected Osama Bin Laden. He called on the Council of Imams to "face up to this fundamentalism".