It’s a fair enough question, isn’t it? And one that I think should be asked – plainly and respectfully – when there are poster campaigns telling us that “Isto não é o Bangladesh” (meaning “This is not Bangladesh”), as many of Islamic faith are attempting to assimilate into Portuguese society despite a bureaucratic nightmare, with Portuguese and foreigners alike feeling the heat of years-long, poorly-managed immigration policy.

Opinion November 21, 2025

Photo: ZHI XUAN HEW/UNSPLASH

To me, this is a conversation that must be had here and now, and not one left to the angrier fringes of society who may well have understandable views to share but seem never to be far from an incendiary or triggering atmosphere. Their approach does little apparently to universally improve matters, more often causing increased friction and intransigence; so talk we must, in the middle, where the silent majority stays quiet at its peril.

I heard the deeply refreshing and inspiring thinker and author Iain McGilchrist saying recently: “The alternative to conversation is war”, and if we are to wrestle the most polarising situations our society faces away from increasing conflict, and back to a civilised harmony, we’d better start talking. But not abstracted and idle chatter in ideological and ivory towers. Let’s talk to each other, literally to those who are characterised and stereotyped as the ‘other’, in real life, in the cafés, and today on this page.

But who would be capable of such a calm and healing conversation when it comes to Muslim integration? My go-to’s, with a considered constitution, are the open-minded, open-hearted, less likely to head straight for judgement, and the confirmation of preexisting views; the kind I endeavour to host on my spin-off podcast – “Beyond The Algorithm”.

And let me add that I also mean our personal algorithms, which can quite lazily curate our worldview, as much as those employed by the tech giants who happily preach to our inner choirs – offering little in the way of mental expansion, which I believe is the way to societal harmony. 

My preferred correspondents are one of ‘them’, when it comes to ‘us and them’, like my first guest CHEGA’s Miguel Silva, who brilliantly faced my opening inquiry “Should foreigners fear CHEGA?”. He did so more than adequately. Not converting or condemning me but speaking to my blind spots and directly meeting direct questioning.

Whilst we may want simple answers, these are not simple questions. Yet, simple conversation can bring an opportunity for enlightenment and understanding, especially if that is the spirit of the encounter.

On the matter, and quite a pivot it was, of addressing the issue of Muslim integration, I needed a similarly robust and knowledgeable individual, who could speak from both experience and authority, and found him in the shape of Dr. Abdul Alim.

Alim to me and you, this generous and gracious participant has retired early to Portugal after 25 years of international civil service at UNICEF. 

“I was looking for a country where immigration allowed me to make a contribution to the local economy and academic institutions,” he explained, and added, “having lived in several countries during my diplomatic career, I found this country as one of the least difficult to settle in.”

What a great start then for a chat that, as it turned out, was far too interesting and engaging to be contained within a single episode, which together we entitled “Understanding Islam”, and Alim added “Seeing the Other”.

He and I had had a number of great exchanges at the meetup I host in São Martinho do Porto and were enjoying the to and fro of WhatsApps, so I was looking forward to a more formal discussion with the ‘Secretary for External Relations of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Portugal’ – Alim’s official title, or calling, it would seem.

“I proposed ‘Seeing the Other’ because it’s a radical act to truly understand those who seem different. Islam, rooted in the Middle East, is often misunderstood in the West, where Christianity and Judaism have long dominated,” he began. “‘Seeing the Other’ encourages us to move beyond personal biases, or algorithm, and engage with openness.” 

Appreciating his creative framing, given the tendency towards polarisation with discussions around his faith, I quizzed him further on a reference to Islam as a “healing science” as much as a religion. 

“My journey with Islam has been about healing, personal and collective,” he responded. “Growing up in Pakistan, certain rigid, fear-based interpretations led me to step away from the faith temporarily. Joining the Ahmadiyya movement changed that.

“The Quran’s opening chapter describes God with qualities like Rahman, from the Arabic for womb, symbolizing nurturing, and Raheem meaning returning with mercy. These portray God as a maternal, forgiving force, not a vindictive judge. This perspective frames religion as a practical, healing path for inner acceptance and growth.”

Clearly, that contrasts sharply with divisive portrayals of Islam, so I was interested to hear more about the ‘basics’ as it were, asking my guest to elaborate further on four key principles he’d mentioned from the Ahmadiyya perspective that he shares with delight. 

“Certainly!” he responded. “First, God is a loving, nurturing force, not punitive. Second, universal salvation rejects the notion that only one group accesses divine acceptance – God’s love is inclusive. Third, secularism is a religious value in Islam where the Quran states there can be no compulsion in religion, meaning faith is a personal, voluntary relationship with God, not state-enforced. This negates the idea of an ‘Islamic state’ or state-imposed Sharia. Finally, jihad is widely misunderstood. In the Quran, it refers to internal self-reform, not militant conflict. Defensive war, or qital, is allowed to protect religious freedom – not just for mosques, but for churches, synagogues, and temples.”

Maybe you’re as surprised as I was, which prompted me to ask how Alim navigated these misperceptions in his role and in life.

“It’s challenging,” replied my new Muslim best mate. “The media often links Islam with conflict, like in Palestine or Kashmir, where secular self-determination struggles are mislabeled as ‘jihad’, fueling Islamophobia. My work involves creating connections and safe spaces for dialogue, like this show. Take the recent burqa ban debate in Portugal. From an Ahmadiyya perspective, modesty is a personal choice reflecting one’s relationship with God, not for state regulation. While security concerns are valid, legislating how women dress risks overstepping into personal faith, contradicting both Islamic and secular principles.” 

In part two, find out more about Alim’s view on South Asian Muslim integration and what he suggests we can do to defuse tensions and increase understanding and harmony.

source https://www.portugalresident.com/can-muslims-integrate-in-portugal-part-1/