Religious identity and religion perception among Turks living in europe: Example of Sandikli

The study aims to examine the religious identity which includes perceptions of belonging and the basic social problems faced by Turkish immigrants who settled in Europe after the immigration flow that started in the 1960s, accelerated in the 1970s and still continue today, in the sample of immigrants from Sandıklı. In this context, in the research; Turks living in the Europe migration of Turks, meaning they load their religious identity and belonging concepts and religious life, cultural identity and integration, islamophobia and marginalization, assimilation, marriage, family relations were focused on, and finally subject thoughts return to Turkey. At this point a field work about meanings attributed to migration, religious identity and belonging was done in Sandıklı between people immigrated to Europe from Sandıklı. The field study was conducted with the people over the age of 18 in Sandıklı district. In-depth interviews were conducted with a sample group of 15 men and 7 women with a total of 22 people. Participants were interviewed with a pre-prepared and categorized questionnaire. Voice recording was made during the interviews, and notes were taken when it was not possible to record. Then the study data were transferred to the electronic divices. The research consists of two main parts. In the first part, the literature was reviewed, and the relationship between immigration, religious identity and identity definitions as well as the notions of immigration, religious identity and belonging were included with the information obtained. In the section of findings in the second part, the data obtained from the individuals interviewed were analyzed and interpreted. In the study, the majority of Turks in Sandıklı tend to live in harmony with the European society by preserving their cultural, religious and national values. However, it is noteworthy that there are people who show a balance tendency in terms of adaptation. Marginalization and assimilation tendencies are very low. vi According to the results it was detected that intercultural communication was occured at different levels between European community and Turks from Sandıklı. The comprehensive and dominanat effect of religion is observed at the preservation and creation of identity and belonging among Turks from Sandıklı living more than sixty years in Sandıklı.