Islam in Germany

The number of Muslims in Germany has been increasing. In 2016, there were about 4.4 to 4.7 million Muslims, and in 2009, numbers were close to 4.3 million. Some estimates suggest that by 2012, Muslims made up as much as 7% of the population.

Besides people with migrant backgrounds, many people born in Germany have also chosen to embrace Islam. In 2014, it was estimated that between 20,000 and 100,000 Germans had converted to Islam. This number is similar to conversion rates seen in other European countries such as France and the United Kingdom. The presence of Islam in Germany shows the country's diverse cultural landscape and the contributions of many communities.

Methodological issues

Germany does not keep a list of what religion people follow. People are only noted as part of a religion if they belong to a recognized group, like a church. This is mostly for tax reasons. Many Muslims in Germany are not part of a mosque or Islamic group and might not practice their religion.

When trying to find out how many Muslims live in Germany, experts look at people who come from countries where most people are Muslim. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees says there are about 5.3 to 5.6 million people in Germany from these countries. But this does not tell the whole story, because these people might have different beliefs or practices.

Some refugees came to Germany to escape serious problems in their home countries related to their religious choices.

Demographics

Further information: Religion in Germany

Islam is the largest minority religion in Germany. The main religions are Protestant and Roman Catholic. Most Muslims in Germany come from places like Turkey, Arab countries, parts of former Yugoslavia such as Kosovo and Bosnia, and Iranic countries including Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Kurdistan, and Iran. There are also smaller groups from West Africa like Gambia and Togo, and from East Africa. Most Muslims live in areas that were once part of West Germany, such as West Berlin. There are also Muslim communities in rural parts of Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Few Muslims live in the area that was once East Germany.

In recent years, many people from outside Europe, including Muslims, have moved to Germany. Most of these people came seeking safety, especially from places like Syria. Today, there are about 5.3 to 5.6 million Muslims in Germany. Most of them follow the Sunnī tradition, with a smaller number being Shīʻa. Experts think the number of Muslims in Germany will continue to grow in the future.

History

Muslims first came to Germany in the 1700s through diplomatic and military ties with the Ottoman Empire. Some worked in the Prussian army, and a Muslim cemetery was created in Berlin in 1798.

In the 1920s to 1940s, Germany’s first Islamic institute was founded. After World War II, many foreign workers, especially from Turkey, moved to Germany. This caused the Muslim population to grow quickly. By 2016, about 5 million Muslims lived in Germany, making up around 6% of the population, mostly because of immigration.

Denominations

Muslims in Germany belong to many different groups within Islam. The largest group is the Sunnis. Other groups include Alevis, Twelvers Shi'as, and smaller communities such as Alawites, Ahmadiyya, Salafis, Sufis, Ismailis, Zaydis, and Ibadis. Each of these groups has its own traditions and beliefs, but they all share the faith of Islam.

The different branches of Islam in Germany show the many backgrounds of Muslims who have come to the country from around the world.

Islamic organisations

Only a few Muslims in Germany are part of religious groups. Most follow Sunni, Shia, or other Islamic traditions.

Sunni groups include organisations such as DİTİB, linked to Turkey, and others like the Islamische Gemeinschaft Milli Görüş. There are Shia groups, like the Islamische Gemeinschaft der schiitischen Gemeinden Deutschlands, and Ahmadiyya groups in several German states. Some Muslims belong to liberal groups, like the Ibn Ruschd-Goethe mosque in Berlin.

There are also many local groups and umbrella organisations, such as the Central Council of Muslims in Germany. Many mosques can be found in cities like Hamburg and Berlin. Since 2010, some universities in Germany have offered Islamic theological studies to train teachers and scholars.

Controversies

The presence of Islam in Germany has led to some discussions and disagreements. Some people worry about how Islam fits with German culture and laws. For example, in 2016, a political party called the Alternative for Germany suggested banning certain Islamic practices, like wearing burqas or building minarets.

There have also been concerns about some groups within Islam that hold strong, strict views. German authorities watch these groups closely to make sure they follow the country's laws. There have been debates about how to balance freedom of religion with keeping everyone safe and united in Germany.

Religiosity of young Muslims

Many young Muslims in Germany are very religious. Turkish Muslim youths often go to religious services more than their German friends.

A lot of these young Muslims say they pray often. Many also want to teach religion to their children when they grow up.

Notable German Muslim immigrants

Islam became more well-known in Germany when many people from other countries came to work and live there, especially starting in the 1960s. Some famous German Muslims come from many different backgrounds, such as Turkish, Kurdish, Moroccan, Lebanese, Iranian, and Palestinian origins.

Here are some examples of notable German Muslims:

• Vaneeza Ahmad, a Pakistani-German model
• Laith Al-Deen, a German singer
• Mehmed Ali Pasha, a German-born Ottoman soldier
• Nadiem Amiri, a German professional footballer
• Azet, a German rapper
• Kristiane Backer, a German television presenter and journalist
• Danny Blum, a German Soccer player
• Bushido, a German rapper
• Mahmoud Dahoud, a football player
• Cemile Giousouf, a German politician in the Bundestag
• Karim Guédé, a football player
• Murad Wilfried Hofmann, a German diplomat and author
• Hadayatullah Hübsch, a German writer and journalist
• Lamya Kaddor, a German writer who helped bring Islamic education into German public schools
• Jawed Karim, a German-American Internet entrepreneur
• Elsa Kazi, a German writer and poet
• Hasnain Kazim, a journalist for Der Spiegel and Spiegel Online
• Rani Khedira and Sami Khedira, both German Soccer players
• Sead Kolašinac, a Bosnian professional footballer
• Mojib Latif, a professor, meteorologist and oceanographer
• Jamal Malik, a professor of Islamic Studies
• Shkodran Mustafi, a German professional footballer
• Adel Tawil, a German singer
• Bassam Tibi, a political scientist and professor
• Pierre Vogel, a German Salafi Islamist preacher and former professional boxer

These individuals have made their mark in various fields such as sports, entertainment, writing, and more.