ABSTRACT
The discussion about the integration of migrants in Russia began relatively late, and it was only a few years ago that the first steps in creating concrete policies were implemented. In public discussions, as well as in policy documents, the emphasis is usually on the cultural integration of migrants, while their economic, social and political engagement is omitted. In conclusion, social problems, including the fact that many migrants are compelled to function in the domain of the shadow economy, are explained in terms of their cultural illiteracy rather than structural reasons (Shnirel’man 2008). The construction of cultural otherness is more often made in the framework of religiosity, Islam in particular. This tendency is not unique to Russia; a similar religionisation of migrants and the migration issue had already taken place earlier in western Europe.
