Minorities in the Middle East: Integration or Autonomy?

The path toward integration of minorities has never been easy. Perhaps the single most important step is to enact a form of legislation that allows the members of a minority group to enjoy equal political, economic, and cultural rights. This, however, may not necessarily mean absolute autonomy, which is likely to pose a threat to the host country’s national cohesion and stability. Both the political regime and the minority groups should initiate necessary steps to pave the way toward eventual integration—-if not assimilation. Ultimately, however, their integration should be pursued not just for its own sake, but as a fundamental means toward achieving social justice and equal rights for all the members of the society irrespective of ethnic, religious, cultural, social, or political status.