Sectarian and community perceptions of Turkish citizens living in Donaueschingen, Germany

This study aims to examine the sectarian and community (religious congregation) perceptions of Turkish citizens living in the city of Donaueschingen, Germany. The primary objective of the research is to explore how Muslim immigrants construct their religious identity, how they define sects and communities, and how these elements influence their social relations. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 22 participants (men and women from different denominational backgrounds, including Alevis) residing in Donaueschingen. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis and interpreted in relation to participants' religious identity, sectarian affiliation, perceptions of religious communities, and experiences of religious life in Germany. The findings reveal that most participants view their religious identity as central to their lives, that sectarian affiliation is largely inherited from family traditions, and that religious communities play a significant role in social solidarity. At the same time, both positive and critical perspectives regarding the presence of various communities were observed. For Turkish Muslims living in Germany, religious communities are vital for preserving religious identity, fostering social integration, and ensuring cultural continuity. Sects, on the other hand, are practiced more as a result of traditional transmission than as a matter of individual awareness. By highlighting the impact of migration on religious structures and affiliations, this study seeks to make an original contribution to the fields of theology and social sciences.