Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
8-2017
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Department
Anthropology
Degree Program
Anthropology, MA
Committee Chair
Peteet, Julie
Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)
Storey, Angela
Committee Member
Storey, Angela
Committee Member
Keeley, Theresa
Author's Keywords
refugees; Islam; aid; humanitarianism; Louisville
Abstract
This thesis examines Islamic faith-based organizations’ involvement in Syrian refugee resettlement in Louisville, KY with special attention to the impact of an Islamic Relief USA community engagement grant awarded to Kentucky Refugee Ministries in 2014. A description of local Muslim community support for newly arrived refugees was constructed via participant observation and semi-structured interviews with former and current resettlement agency employees, a diverse set of Muslim community volunteers, and refugees who participate in and/or are supported by Islamic faith-based organizations. Muslim communities in Louisville approach refugee resettlement in ways that are significantly different from both resettlement agency staff and past co-sponsors and volunteers. Muslim faith-based assistance is constituted through a myth of Muslim community history, a trust in highly personal and flexible methods of assistance, and a series of obligations based on community belongings. Resettlement agencies should recognize these particularities in future program development and community outreach efforts.
Recommended Citation
Yates, Irene Levy, "How Muslims help : an ethnography of Muslim voluntary assistance for Syrian refugees in Louisville, KY." (2017). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2802.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/2802
