University of Twente Student Theses
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What role does Islam play in the professional lives of higher-educated Muslims in the Dutch work context?
Nadirian, Ali Rezah (2025) What role does Islam play in the professional lives of higher-educated Muslims in the Dutch work context?
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| Abstract: | The Netherlands has experienced a notable increase in higher-educated Muslim professionals entering its workforce. This study explores the role that Islam plays in the professional lives of higher-educated Muslims in the Dutch work context. Through qualitative interviews with five practicing higher-educated Muslim professionals born and raised in the Netherlands, this thesis aims to understand which Islamic values are relevant in professional settings, how these values influence behavior, and how tensions with Dutch workplace culture are navigated. For all the interviewees, Islam is not only a religion they practice at certain times in the day, but rather it is an all-encompassing way of living that influences their way of thinking, handling, and decision-making. The interviewees expressed that Islamic values are important guidelines for their professional behavior. The existing misunderstandings about Islam arise from ignorance or little knowledge of Islam, especially among non-Muslim colleagues. Asking for religious accommodation at work is strongly related to the degree of flexibility within the organization. The way organizations deal with accommodating religion differs strongly and is influenced by different factors like diversity policies, personal experiences of employees, and the overall culture within the organization. Combining work and religion is not only a possibility but is also seen as valuable by the interviewees. The findings show that higher-educated Muslim professionals have different strategies to avoid tensions at work between their religious beliefs and the expectations on the work floor. A new insight that emerged is the generational difference: compared to their parents, the interviewees practice Islam in a more reflective and knowledge-based way, showing how they combine their faith with Dutch values like openness and critical thinking. Dutch organizations can still gain a lot by dealing more consciously with religious diversity. Employers who recognize this not only create an inclusive culture but also strengthen the professional commitment of their employees. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 01 general works, 02 science and culture in general, 70 social sciences in general, 85 business administration, organizational science, 88 social and public administration |
| Programme: | International Business Administration BSc (50952) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/106910 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
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