Introduction / History

In the early 1970s, 2,000 Afghans, mostly businessmen and students, moved to Germany. Most went to Hamburg, a northern German city where Afghan carpet traders found employment. Ever since the USSR invaded Afghanistan in 1979, there have been waves of Afghan refugees fleeing for safety. Most of them now live in Pakistan or Turkey, but some have made their way to the peaceful shores of European countries, especially Germany, the country with the highest number of Afghans in Europe.

In 2016, nearly 12,000 Afghans were sent back to Afghanistan. More Afghans came to Germany in 2021 when German training forces left Afghanistan. Though the 2020s, there have been times when the Germans welcome more Afghans and other times when they deport those they deem to be dangerous.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Those who have marketable skills are usually able to relocate, while those without such skills often get stuck in refugee camps and low-end jobs. Some have integrated into German society while others remain separate. They have been professional athletes, models, and musicians. Most have their families with them, though there are also single men who are trying to earn money for their families in Afghanistan.

Afghans have formed their own ethnically based associations. There are at least 130 of them. The most prominent is the Afghan-German Association for Education.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Afghans in Germany are usually Sunni Muslim. The only large Shia population in Afghanistan is from the Hazaras. Many are secularized and disillusioned with religion. Others view Islam as the glue that keeps their community together.

What Are Their Needs?

Afghans in Germany are often fleeing the influence of self-righteous religious zealots. They are understandably skeptical about anything spiritual. In addition, most Germans are secular or Christians in name only. Afghans in Germany need to meet people who walk as Jesus walked.

Prayer Items

Pray for the fervent believers to reach out in faith and love to the Muslim Afghan.
Pray for a spiritual hunger among the Afghans that will be satisfied by none other than the only savior, Jesus Christ.
Pray for a movement to Christ among Afghans to spread throughout Europe.
Pray for loving Christians to help struggling Afghans learn language and job skills.

Scripture Prayers for the Afghan, general in Germany.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghans_in_Germany
https://www.afghansingermany.org/
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/6/germany-offers-vulnerable-afghans-cash-to-cease-immigration-efforts
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/11/germany-afghanistan-u-turn-migration-pakistan