Paper short abstract:

The main question addressed in this contribution comparing examples of Arabs and Bosniaks in Slovenia, is incorporation of remittances in the system of social networks emerging from migrants' transnational activities.

Paper long abstract:

The paper addresses motivations, patterns and sorts of remittances possible which can be defined as a set of gifts in different forms. Generally speaking, remittances refer to economic transfers between migrants on one hand and individuals or groups remaining in countries of origin on the other. The latter most often include both near and extended families. Beside economic transfers, the paper deals with the processes of incorporation and preservation of migrants' sense of belonging to the place of origin and with processes of linking them with places of immigration. Furthermore, the authors discuss the essence of social responsibility evident in migrants' incorporation, maintenance of their sense of belonging, their image, social authority, substance, respect and inclusion into their sending societies. The focus is on migrants' motivation as well as factors existing in countries involved in transnational connections stimulating and hindering processes of remitting. The authors discuss social and demographic distribution and the importance of social pressures faced by migrants and expectations of other members of those social networks, which play an essential part in the above mentioned processes.

Comparing Arabs and Bosniaks in Slovenia is possible and reasonable because of the common Islamic tradition as a way of life in countries of origin and Slovenia. Nonetheless, the research does not focus on groups, but rather on individuals engaged in processes of establishing and maintaining social networks and processes of remitting within.