A study by the University of Münster’s Research Centre on Islam and Politics, led by Islamic theologian Mouhanad Khorchide, has revealed a previously unknown emotional profile among German Muslims with a migration background, which may contribute to radicalization. The findings suggest that nearly one in five Muslim individuals in Germany with a migration background exhibit an emotional disposition that fosters radicalization.
The study, which surveyed 1,887 Muslim individuals with a migration background in Germany between July 2023 and April 2024, found that nearly 20 percent of the respondents exhibited a sentiment of resentment, characterized by a strong sense of personal grievance, anti-Western and anti-Semitic attitudes and a low critical thinking ability.
A majority of this group agreed with statements such as the idea that Islam should be the sole and ultimate political authority and that Islamic Sharia law is better than German law. Furthermore, nearly a third of the “resentment” group expressed support for violence in response to perceived injustices, which would translate to over 300,000 people nationwide. One in ten of the group even claimed they would use violence to defend the interests of Muslims, equivalent to around 100,000 individuals.
According to the study’s lead researcher, Religionspsychologist Sarah Demmrich, the discovery of the “resentment” factor highlights the need to strengthen the critical thinking abilities within the Islamic community to promote reflective discussions on religious and societal issues.