| Summary/Abstract |
The mass influx of people from the former republics of the Soviet Union has resulted in ‘migration’ and ‘integration’ being one of the central foci of debate in contemporary Russia. This article examines the Ismaili Muslim migrants from Tajikistan in Moscow. It pays particular attention to the ways in which the community impacts migrants’ integration into a host society. Using a case study approach, the article presents the diversity in terms of viewpoints and approaches to socio-cultural integration. The data were gathered thorough participant observations and semi-structured interviews. The findings suggest that strong religious identity and the community closure based on religious affiliation can hinder the Ismaili migrants’ integration. The case studies show that an intention to settle permanently in Russia is one of the key factors determining migrants’ attitudes towards integration.
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