“The More One Believes, the Better One Belongs?”—Religiosity as Part of Diasporic and Migrant Integration

By comparing the participation of diaspora and first-generation migrants in their country of origin through religious ceremonies, services, diaspora philanthropy, and volunteering, this study offers a literature review on how existing research on the integration process in the country of origin considers the role of religion and religiosity and the way these unfold. While some argue that religiosity can be an empowering factor in the integration of non-Western diaspora and migrants in Western Europe, this study suggests a research agenda that could state the opposite. Does religiosity truly help migrants and diaspora find their place in a new society, or, under certain conditions, does it separate them even further? This often-overlooked question lies at the heart of this literature review. Using several examples from various Western contexts and applying the grounded theory method, this study demonstrates a literature review on how religion and religiosity support the integration of diverse diaspora and migrant communities in Western Europe.