The Significance of the Mosque for Muslim migrants from Turkey in Europe

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2640.2025.161.8

Abstract

Introduction. This study is grounded in the phenomenon of migration, which brings together diverse ethnic groups, religions, and consumption cultures, contributing to a complex social dynamic within host countries. In the context of Western Europe, particularly Germany, Turkish migrants undergo a transformation into Euro-Turks, with mosques playing a key role in this metamorphosis. This research examines the evolution of mosques into transnational spaces that offer not only spiritual sanctity but also cultural and social services. Focusing on the case of the Barbaros Mosque (1969) in Cologne, Germany, the study explores how these institutions have become central hubs for shaping Euro-Turkish identity and for fostering integration into German society.

Through qualitative analysis, including literature review, the study outlines the emergence and legitimization of Muslim cultural and consumer spaces within the German context. Furthermore, the research employs a retrospective analytical approach to investigate the social and functional impact of mosques on urban neighborhoods, particularly in the city of Liège, Belgium. It analyzes the appearance of shops around mosques, taking into account various factors such as proximity to the mosque, distance from the city center, and socio-economic variables. By demarcating zones around mosques and categorizing businesses by type—including Islamic shops—the study identifies correlations between the presence of mosques and the development of commercial activity in their vicinity. Through field observations and interviews, the research sheds light on the complex relationship between mosques and the socio-economic landscape of neighborhoods, contributing to a deeper understanding of the role mosques play in shaping urban environments and community dynamics.

Results. The study found that mosques in Turkish migrant communities in Germany have evolved into multifunctional spaces fulfilling a wide range of roles. Beyond their religious function, they serve as centers of socialization, informal education, language practice, political mobilization, and cultural representation. Mosques operate as institutions that structurally shape Islamic life in the diaspora, acting as intermediaries in interactions with state and local authorities, as well as spaces for the formation of collective memory and identity. It was found that in the context of limited recognition by state structures, mosques fulfilled a symbolic and practical function of autonomy for migrants, compensating for a lack of access to official resources.

Conclusions. Within the context of Turkish migration to Germany in the second half of the 20th century, the mosque emerged not only as a spiritual center but also as a key social institution that played a critical role in preserving the cultural cohesion of the community. Its importance extends beyond religious practice: it provides stability in the migratory environment, maintains intergenerational continuity, and facilitates adaptation while simultaneously acting as a buffer against assimilation. Future research should focus on analyzing local models of mosque functioning, inter-institutional dynamics, and the conditions under which religious space becomes a resource for integration rather than marginalization.

Keywords: mosque, migrants in Europe, Turkish culture, Muslims, trading.