Introduction / History

The ancestors of the Turks founded the powerful Ottoman Empire which lasted from the 14th through the early 20th century. This 600-year empire began with raids by Turkish warriors and ended with the defeat of the Axis powers at the end of WWI. It was the last Muslim empire. Turks are proud of their history.

A third of Denmark's Muslims have Turkish origin. In the 1950s Denmark required laborers. Turkey has been sending “guest workers” to Germany for nearly 80 years, so the concept is not new in Turkey. Many of these immigrants came from Turkey itself, as others came from the Balkans, Bosnia, Kosovo, etc. From 2014-present Europe countries including Denmark have seen an influx of immigrants from the Muslim world, including Turkey.

In the 2020s there have been young women from Turkey leaving the country because of forced marriages. Some have been threatened with violence if they don’t comply with their family’s wishes for them to marry a certain individual. Denmark allows such people to enter their country.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Danish Turks have acclimated to European society well, some having become politicians, famous soccer stars and actors. Those in the arts are trying to work with the Danish majority through art appreciation events where both ethnic groups learn to appreciate the other one’s artwork. Such events have become increasingly rare in the 21st century.

At home, Turks speak Turkish, but in public, almost all speak Danish. Those born and raised in Denmark are becoming more Danish in culture and worldview than their parents.

What Are Their Beliefs?

These Danish Turks regard themselves as Muslim. They worship within their individual communities but divide from each other on political or various religious differences. There are at least 30 Turkish based Sunni Muslim mosques in Denmark. In 2008 Turkish Muslims publicly stood against the rest of the Sunni Muslim community when it came to issues of freedom of expression.

Prayer Points

Pray for the fervent believers to reach out in faith and love to the Muslim Turks among them. Pray for a spiritual hunger among Turks that will be satisfied by none other than the only savior, Jesus Christ.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among Turks to spread far and wide throughout Europe.
Pray for the Lord to provide for all the spiritual and economic needs of the Turks in Denmark.

Scripture Prayers for the Turk in Denmark.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turks_in_Denmark
https://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/turk-kadininin-derdi-danimarka-da-da-ayni-2046656
https://humanityinaction.org/action_project/det-turkise-telt-the-turquoise-tent/
https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/tyrkisk-afstand-fra-islamisk-trossamfund