Muslim Life in Germany - Deutsche Islam Konferenz

Concise profiles of the migrant group 305
other Muslims living in Germany. For the most part, Alevis entered
Germany as spouses or children to join family members.
Almost one in three was recruited as an immigrant worker for
Germany. A significant proportion of 10 per cent state that they
migrated to Germany on account of persecution.
The Alevis have a relatively low standard of education.
More than half of them have either low school-leaving qualifications
or no such qualifications at all. Their rate of employment
roughly corresponds to the overall rate of employment for Muslims
in Germany, although Alevi men are much more likely to
be gainfully employed than Alevi women. However, the differences
between the sexes are less pronounced than for Muslims
of other denominations.
A characteristic of Alevis is that they tend to be a less religious
group than other Muslims. At least 20 per cent of Alevis
state that they are not at all or not particularly devout. In keeping
with a faith that is less orientated to rituals, Alevis observe
religious rules and commandments to a much lesser extent
than Muslims of other denominations. They are less likely to
observe dietary or fasting rules, less likely to pray and less likely
to attend religious services. Not least of all, Alevi women do not
wear the headscarf.
Alevis have contact with German friends as frequently as
Muslims of other denominations or members of other religions
have. They state that they live in a residential area with a high
proportion of foreigners somewhat less frequently than Muslims
of other denominations. More than 20 per cent of Alevis
state that they feel little or no attachment to Germany – a higher
proportion than in other groups.