The Alevi immigrants in Germany

This thesis aims to reveal the reasons why Alevi people immigrated from Turkey to Germany, after 1960's, the problems they faced, the functions of Alevi associations; the role of these associations in re-constructing the identity in the immigrated space and the place of the associations in this novel cultural identity. Alevi society has had several problems in Germany, which is a transnational space for them, about being recognized in terms of their cultural differences and saving their identity. Alevis in Germany have been pursuing a twofold struggle on being recognized as a cultural and religious group and achieving their rights as immigrants. The fieldwork of this research has been carried on in Hamburg and Berlin; two cities which have historical significance for the development of Alevi Movement in Germany. The research is realized by using ethnographical qualitative method. In–depth interviews were made with 17 men and 5 women, in total 22 participants, by favor of Hamburg Alevi Cultural Centre and Berlin Alevi Society. Besides these interviews, the participant observations of the researcher are also included in the research. To handle the historical, social, political and cultural aspects of the subject, for understanding the occurrence of the process of immigration, the content is supported with immigration theories. For elaborating on the categorization and creation of identities; the research is supported with 'intersectionality' and 'social-construction' theories. This thesis concludes that Alevism has occurred as a cultural identity in Germany. Key Words transnational community, Alevi immigrants, Alevi associations, cultural identity