On May 27, 2024, the Canadian government announced that it would grant 5,000 free temporary visas to Palestinian refugees from Gaza. This is an increase from the previously announced 1,000 visas. This policy aims to provide hope and security to those fleeing war and allow them to reunite with their relatives in Canada. As expected, given the ongoing genocide and humanitarian crises in Palestine, Canada’s policy has received both praise and criticism from various groups. In this article, we will explore the motives behind this decision and examine whether Western countries, particularly Canada, truly serve as safe havens for individuals from troubled Muslim countries. We will also discuss the implications, challenges, and successes of such immigration policies, as well as the benefits they bring to host nations in terms of brain gain and brain drain.

Background

In recent years, Muslim refugees in developed countries show that Muslim immigrants have predominantly come from conflict zones in South Asia and the Middle East, such as Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and Syria. The Syrian civil war, in particular, caused millions of refugees to seek safety in Europe and North America. These Western nations have been destinations for refugees escaping various conflict areas due to their political stability and better economic opportunities. The responses from these countries have varied, with some welcoming refugees and others implementing restrictive measures (Liebert et al., 2020). For example, the Syrian civil war saw millions seeking refuge in Europe and North America in search of safety and stability. In the past decade, more than 33 million refugees have found safety in other countries. Unfortunately, this is also the case in most Muslim countries in conflict zones, particularly the migration of young people to Western countries, where there is a growing lack of skilled young individuals.

The EU has made significant efforts to assist refugees seeking asylum, introducing the Dublin Regulation, which determines that the first European country where refugees arrive must process their asylum applications. Over the past decade, EU countries have protected 7.5 million refugees, about 1.63 percent of the population. In 2015, Germany operated an open-door policy for Syrians. The same year, the EU adopted a temporary relocation scheme requiring other EU countries to accept asylum seekers from Italy and Greece for two years. However, these policies often reflect a mix of humanitarian concern and geopolitical strategy.

Canada’s Immigration Policy

Coming back to Canada’s new policy. The policy grants free visas to Palestinians, aiming to accommodate many refugees over the next five years. These individuals can apply for fee-exempt study or open work permits, facilitating their ability to support themselves while in Canada. The Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marc Miller, emphasised the significance of this initiative: “These new measures provide a humanitarian pathway to safety and recognise the importance of keeping families together given the ongoing crisis.”

Meanwhile, Canada only paused its arms sales to Israel in March 2024 and has yet to recognise Palestine as a country. This brings into question what host countries aim to gain from such policies, especially considering their roles in the geopolitical issues affecting the emigrating populations.

Humanitarian Decision or Strategic Move?

While the policy is humanitarian in intent, focusing on immediate safety and family reunification, it also aligns with the host country’s strategic interests. Prioritising family ties can enhance social cohesion and integration of refugees. However, understanding the policy’s broader implications requires a closer look at brain drain and brain gain concepts.

Brain Drain and Brain Gain: A Dual Perspective

“Brain drain” refers to the migration of skilled and qualified individuals from one country to another, while “brain gain” refers to the benefits gained by the host country from this migration.  War, conflicts, and political instability are some of the causes of geographical brain drain. These factors triggered the skilled and talented individuals to leave the source countries for places that offered better safety and opportunity. For instance, the Syrian war prompted a lot of talented individuals to flee the country for better protection and opportunities in neighbouring countries like Turkey, Germany, and Greece, among others.

Impact on Muslim Countries (Brain Drain):

•     Loss of Human capital:

War and conflict are significant catalysts for brain drain. This was evident following Israel’s invasion of Palestine. Skilled and educated workers leaving the war zones such as Gaza, Syria, and among others lead to a significant brain drain. Professionals in important sectors, including healthcare, education, and technology, are critical to Gaza’s recovery and development, and their departure could slow progress. In a survey, a large proportion of the educated labour, particularly in health and higher education, has fled. For example, 30.8% of health and higher education personnel stated a desire to emigrate, citing political unrest and personal growth as main motivations. Moreover, while some 13 million Syrians have been displaced, many of those who have made their way to the West are well-educated professionals. For Palestine, the outlook does not look good either. The exodus of talented people diminishes the potential of local socio-economic development.

The exodus of talented individuals can weaken the local economy, reducing Gaza’s potential for innovation and sustainable development. Furthermore, critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and technology face labour shortages, hampering Gaza’s ability to function and develop effectively, as well as that of other regions in Muslim countries facing conflicts.

On the other hand, Western countries reap economic benefits from skilled refugees who fill labour shortages in crucial sectors like healthcare, technology, and education, promoting economic growth and stability. Refugees also bring entrepreneurial skills and innovative ideas, enhancing the dynamism and competitiveness of Western economies. For example, Canada stands to gain economically from skilled individuals arriving from Gaza, filling labour gaps and fostering innovation. Similarly, Germany benefited from its open-door policy during the Syrian crisis, leading to notable integration efforts and contributions from Syrian professionals in sectors facing skill shortages.

•     Social Impact:

The continuous departure of talented individuals can lead to a sense of hopelessness and demoralisation among those who remain. This impacts social cohesion and the collective morale of the population. Also, it often results in family separations, adding emotional strain to already difficult living conditions.

Meanwhile, in the host country, the case is different. The intake of refugees increases cultural diversity, which enriches the host country’s social fabric. This multicultural environment promotes more profound knowledge and appreciation for many cultures. Furthermore, migrants frequently bring unique viewpoints and experiences that help communities become more resilient and adaptable. The arrival of Palestinian refugees will contribute to cultural diversity, enriching Canadian society and fostering a more vibrant, multicultural environment. This means that, on the one hand, refugees will contribute to the dynamics of the host countries while longing for their own countries and lands.

• Demographic Balance:

Many Western countries are facing ageing populations and declining birth rates. Refugees, often younger and with families, help balance demographics and support sustainable population growth. Additionally, the arrival of young, skilled workers renews the workforce, ensuring a steady supply of talent and reducing the dependency ratio. For instance, Germany’s open-door policy for Syrian refugees aimed to address the country’s demographic challenges. Of course, the same can be said of Canada.

• Loss of Culture and Faith

The cultural contrast between the Muslim world and the West is indisputable. While the West is known for its individualistic values, Muslim societies are generally defined by their collective structure. This collective structure plays an important role in Muslim culture, emphasising the sanctity of the family. However, in the sphere of interaction of these cultural differences, it is crucial to question how individuals prioritising family and family-oriented traditional values will cope with individual-centered societies in the West.

The lack of religious guidance creates a cultural and spiritual vacuum, which affects social activities and religious practices. As migrant families struggle to preserve their traditional values, they fragment and weaken the social fabric. Additionally, they are often exposed to liberal and irreligious values that are alien to them, negatively impacting the religious understanding of future generations.

Of course, it would not be right to ignore the da’wah work carried out by some immigrants in the West. However, such efforts are only reasonable as long as they aim to explain the true Islam correctly rather than a hollowed-out version.

Conclusion

In general, gestures, such as the Canadian government’s policy towards the Palestinians, do not always live up to the humanism they claim to represent. These aid initiatives can often disadvantage Muslims by prioritising the interests of their own countries. While these countries sustain their economies through such “aid,” Muslims not only struggle to cope with their own economies but also face the gradual erosion of their cultural values.

Reference

Government of Canada. Temporary resident pathway opens for Palestinian extended family in Gaza. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2024/01/temporary-resident-pathway-opens-for-palestinian-extended-family-in-gaza.html

Julie Young (2024). Brain Drain: Definition, Causes, Effects, and Examples: Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/brain_drain.asp

Liebert, S., Siddiqui, M. H., & Goerzig, C. (2020). Integration of Muslim immigrants in Europe and North America: A transatlantic comparison. Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 40(2), 196-216.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13602004.2020.1777663?scroll=top&needAccess=true  

Mataria, A., Abu-Hantash, I., & Amer, W. (2008). The “brain drain” of the Palestinian society: with an exploratory study of the health and higher education sectors. Jerusalem and Ramallah: Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS). https://mas.ps/cached_uploads/download/migrated_files/20141811153942-1-1640016410.pdf

NRC Global Figures. https://www.nrc.no/shorthand/fr/a-few-countries-take-responsibility-for-most-of-the-worlds-refugees/index.html

REUTERS and TOI STAFF. Canada pledges temporary visas for 5,000 Gaza residents related to citizens: The Times of Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/canada-pledges-temporary-visas-for-5000-gaza-residents-related-to-citizens/