Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Research indicates that 19.9% of Muslims with migration backgrounds in Germany exhibit emotional states conducive to radicalization, with a significant portion expressing support for violence
A recent study conducted by the Research Center for Islam and Politics at the University of Münster, surveying 1,887 Muslims with migration backgrounds between July 2023 and April 2024, found that 19.9% of respondents exhibit emotional states characterized by deep-seated resentment, a factor identified as conducive to radicalization.
This group, referred to as the 'ressentiment' group, is characterized by feelings of personal grievance, anti-Western and antisemitic sentiments, and low levels of self-criticism.
Extrapolating these findings suggests that over one million Muslims in Germany may fall into this category.
Within this group, a majority believe that Islam should be the sole and ultimate political authority and that Sharia law is superior to German legislation.
Approximately one-third support the use of violence in response to perceived injustices, equating to around 300,000 individuals nationwide.
Additionally, 10% of this group, or about 100,000 people, indicated a willingness to personally engage in violence to defend Muslim interests.
As of 2023, Germany is home to an estimated 5.3 to 5.6 million Muslims, accounting for approximately 6.4% to 6.7% of the total population.
The majority of this population has a migration background, with significant numbers originating from Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and North Africa.
The Muslim population has grown by approximately 800,000 to one million individuals since 2016, primarily due to increased migration from Muslim-majority countries.
In 2023, Germany received 351,915 asylum applications, the highest number since 2016. The largest groups of applicants were from Syria (105,000), Turkey (63,000), and Afghanistan (54,000).
The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) reported that out of approximately 5.94 million recorded criminal offenses in 2023, 2.24 million individuals were identified as suspects, with 923,269 (41%) being non-German nationals.
Among asylum seekers and refugees, approximately 304,000 were suspected of involvement in criminal activities, representing about 6% of all suspects.
The BKA's report on 'Crime in the Context of Immigration' notes that non-German nationals are disproportionately represented in violent crime statistics relative to their share of the population.
Factors contributing to this overrepresentation include a younger average age, socioeconomic challenges, and housing density, rather than cultural or religious influences.
In a separate incident, a Syrian national, Issa al H., is currently on trial in Düsseldorf for a knife attack that resulted in three fatalities and several injuries at a festival in Solingen.
The 27-year-old faces charges including three counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder, and membership in a foreign terrorist organization, with alleged ties to the Islamic State.
The attack has intensified debates in Germany regarding migration-related crime and has influenced recent policy decisions aimed at tightening immigration controls.
This group, referred to as the 'ressentiment' group, is characterized by feelings of personal grievance, anti-Western and antisemitic sentiments, and low levels of self-criticism.
Extrapolating these findings suggests that over one million Muslims in Germany may fall into this category.
Within this group, a majority believe that Islam should be the sole and ultimate political authority and that Sharia law is superior to German legislation.
Approximately one-third support the use of violence in response to perceived injustices, equating to around 300,000 individuals nationwide.
Additionally, 10% of this group, or about 100,000 people, indicated a willingness to personally engage in violence to defend Muslim interests.
As of 2023, Germany is home to an estimated 5.3 to 5.6 million Muslims, accounting for approximately 6.4% to 6.7% of the total population.
The majority of this population has a migration background, with significant numbers originating from Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and North Africa.
The Muslim population has grown by approximately 800,000 to one million individuals since 2016, primarily due to increased migration from Muslim-majority countries.
In 2023, Germany received 351,915 asylum applications, the highest number since 2016. The largest groups of applicants were from Syria (105,000), Turkey (63,000), and Afghanistan (54,000).
The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) reported that out of approximately 5.94 million recorded criminal offenses in 2023, 2.24 million individuals were identified as suspects, with 923,269 (41%) being non-German nationals.
Among asylum seekers and refugees, approximately 304,000 were suspected of involvement in criminal activities, representing about 6% of all suspects.
The BKA's report on 'Crime in the Context of Immigration' notes that non-German nationals are disproportionately represented in violent crime statistics relative to their share of the population.
Factors contributing to this overrepresentation include a younger average age, socioeconomic challenges, and housing density, rather than cultural or religious influences.
In a separate incident, a Syrian national, Issa al H., is currently on trial in Düsseldorf for a knife attack that resulted in three fatalities and several injuries at a festival in Solingen.
The 27-year-old faces charges including three counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder, and membership in a foreign terrorist organization, with alleged ties to the Islamic State.
The attack has intensified debates in Germany regarding migration-related crime and has influenced recent policy decisions aimed at tightening immigration controls.
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