The article reports on the major findings of a research aimed at analysing the religious and cultural identity of Muslim immigrants in a region of high industralization (Veneto), giving an assessment of the religious factor in the process of social inclusion. It highlights a multiplicity of ways in which immigrants live their spiritual beliefs, and a variety of social behaviours; furthermore, it lists a number of claims towards the public institutions, showing the capacity of Islam to change and adapt to the context of the host country. As far as the socio-religious aspects are concerned, the research highlights the following outcomes: Islam remains a central point of reference in the identification structure, even though not the only one; among the variety of religious lifestyles, there is a strong attitude towards living one's own faith in individualistic, moral and spiritual terms; religious forms and rules, the dialectic among innovation and tradition, are being redefined, in an attempt to find a new balance among rupture and continuity; Islam does not represent an obstacle to integration. The article also highlights the characteristics of migration process and social integration of immigrants, in connection with specific either national or local contexts. It offers an in-depth analysis of the various nuances of Islam as practised by immigrants (cutting across ethnic and gender lines; taking into consideration 'the Black Islam' and the Muridiyya brotherhood); lastly, it deals with the complex issue of representation of Muslims and their legal position.

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cultural identity Italy migrants experience religion Islamism immigrant population