Sociální integrace Arabů v současných Teplicích

SGS-2016-016The main aim of this study is to detect the degree of success of the Arab com- munity’s integration in the City of Teplice. In this paper, we focus on four key areas that are main priorities for the Czech government: the use of the Czech language, economic self-sufficiency, orientation in Czech society, and the relationship between the Arab com- munity and Czech citizens. The study contains opinions of random Czech inhabitants of the City of Teplice in regard to long-term Arab residents and also about temporary spa residents from Arab countries. To obtain necessary information, we used qualitative methods, particularly semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. The results indicated that the Arab community in Teplice is successfully integrated; nevertheless, a smaller de- gree of integration is present among Arab women. The relationship with Czech citizens is somewhat disrupted by Arab visitors to the city’s spas who are unfamiliar with local cus- toms. Their behaviour is negatively perceived by Czechs living in Teplice and thus these unpleasant sentiments are also turned against the long-term Arab residents. As the re- search revealed, Islam as the dominant religion among Arabs in Teplice is not the crucial cause of social tensions, but it can cause feelings of fear and mistrust that can obstruct, as a final consequence, the mutual understanding between both communities