Turk in Germany

Introduction / History

The Turkish Ottomans ran two sieges in Vienna. The aftermath of the second invasion of Vienna resulted in Turkish prisoners permanently settling in what today is Germany. Others were captured by the Viennese and taken to Germany. Some converted to Christianity. Thousands arrived in the 1950s as “guest workers” to help Germany as temporary employees. The idea was they would return to Turkey, but instead, they often brought their families at a later time. More came in the early 1960s, a time when Germany had a shortage of cheap labor pouring over from what was then communist East Germany. Today Turks are the largest minority ethnic group in Germany. Turkish is the second largest language in Germany.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Turks brought their culture, religion and tradition with them. There are many Turkish grocery stores and mosques scattered throughout Germany, especially in areas with a high Turkish population.
Turkish Germans endure discrimination in the workplace. They are sometimes paid unequal wages as the Germans, are not given enough breaks, and work unproportionally harder than their German counterparts. There is discrimination in German schools against Turks. Yet ethnic Turks enjoy a much higher standard of living than they would if they remained in Turkey. Only about one-sixth of the ethnic Turks in Germany have German citizenship, largely because the German government seldom allows for dual citizenship. However, the Turks are gaining acceptance, and the problems mentioned above are not as prominent now.
Turks in Germany waver between wanting to be German and wishing to cling to their traditional culture. Ethnic Turks have left their mark in German culture and entertainment. At one time Turks looked to Turkey for their movies and television shows. Now they have established their own media networks. Turks have been star soccer players in Germany.
A small number have entered German politics, something that would not have been tolerated a couple of decades ago. Only about one-sixth of the ethnic Turks are German citizens, so most vote in Turkish elections. A few have run for office in Turkey. Turkey’s government must look to Turks in Germany as a voting bloc. This situation will change when and if the German government allows for dual citizenship. If that happens, ethnic Turks are likely to become more like the Germans. The question is, will they retain Sunni Islam, or accept some of the spiritual beliefs of the German majority.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Turks are nominally Sunni Muslim, believing in one god (Allah), and an eternal heaven and hell. "Sunni," is derived from the Islamic term, sunnah, which means "well-trodden path." Sunnis believe that the correct path is that of the majority. Therefore, the tradition of the Sunni is political conformism, though the Turks have been more flexible than many of their Muslim neighbors. Other Turks are more secular in their beliefs, though they visit the mosque for special events. Some also hold to pre-Islamic beliefs as well. For example, some believe that men have the power to curse others by giving them the "evil eye."

What Are Their Needs?

Although the Turks of Turkey have Christian resources (both the Bible and the JESUS Film have been translated into Turkish) available to them in their language and mission agencies have worked among them, they remain Muslim. Intercessors are needed to daily stand in the gap and pray for the salvation of these people for whom the Lord Jesus laid down his life.

Prayer Points

Pray for the fervent believers to reach out in faith and love to Muslim Turks among them.
Pray for a spiritual hunger among Turks that will be satisfied by none other than the only Savior, Jesus Christ.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among Turks to spread far and wide throughout Europe.

Text Source:   Joshua Project