Integrate, Don’t Assimilate. | Dua'a Yaser Faquih | TEDxYouth@AISR

In her talk, Dua’a shares her experience of practicing her faith in a foreign country, and shares ideas on integrating into different cultural environments.

Originally from Saudi Arabia, Dua’a has lived most of her life in Houston, Texas until returning to Riyadh this year to study at AIS-R. She is in 11th grade, and her favorite subjects are Global Politics and English. In her free time, she enjoys running and photography. She aspires to be a journalist, travelling the world and reporting on current events. She’s very excited to be speaking at this year’s TEDx!

[nikm]

The hypocrisy is hilarious, I hope she gave this same discussion to Christians living in Saudi Arabia.

[peteyoung]

"Integrate, don't assimilate."
Allow, don't permit.
Start, don't begin.
Select, don't choose.

Her thesis makes perfect sense... 🙄

[sambam.]

She should encourage women to feel free to dress as they please in Saudi Arabia, see if it works...

[roundsquare]

I wonder how she explained child marriage by her beloved prophet.

[steven]

She should encourage Malaysia government from forcing Muslim practices on non Muslim. Malaysia government also love to do Culture Assimilation on non Muslim. A lot Muslim always want to talk about their own rights but if you Muslim can't even give non Muslim their own culture rights in Muslim Nation, then don't talk about fair when you lives in 1st world Nation. Because you guys also don't have the rights to request for it as your brother and sister are doing the culture assimilation of non Muslim in your Muslim nation!

[Ed_Downunder]

The logic is flawed. Assimilation is adopting the host country's values and culture, while maintaining ethnic identity. Integration is introducing alien culture and values. Integration produces parallel or plural society, with differing cultural beliefs and values. It is a problem when cultural values conflict with society norms. Often time people who attempt to explain assimilation and integration, use the words interchangeably. A person does not lose their identity when assimilated any more than a person maintains their identity if integrated. Integration is divisive where assimilation promotes harmony. Religious identity is protected y the United Nations and is a bogus argument.

[melb]

Integration is not just regarding religion, but your heritage culture - perhaps still eating some of the foods from your heritage, celebrating your heritage holidays, etc. However, it is one thing to wear two hats, if you will - take part in the host country's society, but at home, still enjoy some of your own culture - the issue with Islam, and some muslim immigrants, is that their religion is pushed onto the host (often Christian) country - with demands being made for more spaces, changes in how animals are slaughtered, amendments to freedom of expression, etc.

[michelcoen]

Wow the audacety. When you move to an other country you assimilated. Otherwise move to country with the same culture

[andrewtanczyk]

Why doesn’t she go to Afghanistan 🇦🇫 and see if she can integrate over there where the Taliban have taken over?

[JDroo-meuo]

Your religion doesnt dictate what I do, say or believe.

All Christians and Muslims need to understand that.

[raphlvlogs]

Those that can adept the best survives.

[calcarr]

Most people literally dont assimilate😂😂

[Thaddeus]

nothing is ever their fault...poor poor Muslims...

[Mruiz]

We used to watch tedtalks now it’s just tiktoks no hope😢

[gauge]

If I moved to England and flew the American flag on a pole outside my house id think my neighbors might not like it. If I moved into a place next to British people id meet them on their terms. That's common sense

[gjurod]

Assimmilate please... Like we assimilate over other things too... Why is religion and gender somehow sacred over other things?

Because Islam is really cool:
It is permissible for a woman to say Ameen out loud, if she is in the presence of her mahrams and there are no “strangers” (non-mahram men) present, ...

[lexusdelivery]

History has teach us. Some religion just can’t assimilate

[genie]

this girl should examine the Quran and reliable hadiths closely and not blindly follow what a community says... I doubt she'll stay in Islam once she knows the truth...

[chaostheory]

Islam is not an arab religion. It's simple pure monotheism that can be applied anywhere. If you immigrate to another country it's because you love and want to be part of their culture. You need to disassociate religion and culture. If you don't you will have a hard time and will make your living and those around you tedious and awkward. The same way that for example a non-muslim women must cover her hair in public if she visits saudi arabia. If you are here simply for the financial or academic benefits then you are not being a positive element to that country, you are simply pillaging their ressources and institutions and offering nothing back.

[raphlvlogs]

Religion and religious influence is a hugely important aspect in culture. It is way more important than languages.