Arabs in Europe: Arguments for and Against Integration

The recent wave of immigration across European countries has precipitated an unprecedented political crisis in many Western countries. This is compounded by the fact that the large majority of these migrants originate from Arab countries. Research has demonstrated that Arabs are devalued relative to other socioethnic groups. The present study sought to investigate representations of Arabs and their integration. Twenty-one interviews conducted in Malta were used to analyze the logic and structure of argumentation supporting both favorable and unfavorable positions relative to Arabs. The findings demonstrate a variety of perspectives founded on 6 major themes, namely cultural, sociopolitical, psychological, religious, stigma, and economic issues. All views were elaborated and warranted, and served to justify particular forms of social relations that make the integration of Arabs possible but highly difficult. In particular, findings demonstrate a lack of positive appraisals of Islam.