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Islamic community life in Germany ,
Germany has roughly 2,350 mosques and cemevis (Alevi prayer houses). An Imam or in the case of the Alevi communities, a Dede, regularly works in at least 1,700 Islamic communities. These results are reached in two studies published in this research report which were carried out on behalf of the German Islam Conference (DIK). The Centre for Studies on Turkey and Integration Research studied the services and structures of the Islamic communities, whilst the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees investigated Islamic religious officials.
Islamic community life in Germany is varied
The Islamic community in Germany is extremely varied with regard to the faiths represented, the affiliation or non-affiliation to associations, as well as the countries of origin, of those attending. Accordingly, the religious officials working there form a heterogeneous group. Whilst Turkish-type communities are dominant, and hence Imams and Dedes with a Turkish migration background form the majority, roughly one religious official in five is not from Turkey. What is more, many Turkish-type communities are also attended by faithful from other countries of origin. Imams are hence frequently faced with the challenge of integrating Muslims into their communities who have different linguistic and cultural roots.
Islamic communities and their religious officials play a major role when it comes to the integration of Muslims
Almost all Islamic communities offer more than religious services. Considerable resources are taken up by providing assistance in orientation for German society, for instance by offering advice or help with homework. Religious and non-religious services do not compete, but rather it is the resources available to the community which are decisive. The range of services in the communities is reflected in the fields of activity of the Imams and Dedes. Only a minority of them restrict themselves to carrying out traditional religious tasks. More than 95 percent take on additional tasks in the social domain, in intercultural dialogue or in cooperation with teachers, social workers or other players from the host society.
Imams and Dedes are very interested in further and ongoing training
Islamic communities and the religious officials working there are hence important contacts for the integration of Muslims. It is however also revealed that Imams and Dedes frequently take on tasks which they are not trained to do. This explains the extraordinary level of interest expressed by Imams and Dedes in further and ongoing training, especially in the social, advisory and pastoral fields. Existing initiatives of the DIK for further and ongoing training of Islamic religious officials are confirmed by the analyses. Moreover, the results allow conclusions to be drawn for expanding services meeting target groups’ needs.
Both studies present for the first time authoritative national data on the varied Islamic community life in Germany. The detailed results offer sound background information to factualise the discussion of Islamic organisations and the Imams and Dedes working there.
The research report on services and structures of Islamic communities was drawn up by: Dirk Halm and Martina Sauer
The research report on Islamic religious officials was drawn up by: Jana Schmidt and Dr. Anja Stichs
The report is only available in German.