Integration between Yezidis and German society: Yezidis` understanding of the current two-way integration process in Germany

Abstract

Abstract

Since the mid-20th century, Germany has served as a hub for the migration of diverse ethnic and religious minorities, including the Yezidis, an ethno-religious group expelled from their ancestral homeland. Beginning in the 1960s, Yezidis settled in the Federal Republic of Germany, established in 1945, navigating a complex social landscape. Over the past sixty years, and particularly since the 1990s, Yezidis have increasingly integrated into German society. This study explores the degree to which Yezidis have integrated, proposing the hypothesis that Yezidis demonstrate a more proactive approach to integration compared to other immigrant groups in Germany. To address this hypothesis, the research examines several critical questions: How do Yezidis perceive Germany’s integration policies? Do they view these policies as forms of assimilation or as opportunities for socio-cultural advancement? This analysis situates Yezidi integration within a two-way integration process framework, supported by inductive methods, including interviews conducted in Germany and comprehensive textual analysis. The study concludes that Yezidis approach integration with notable sensitivity, shaped by their expectations for political, legal, and constitutional acknowledgment within German society.