Urdu in Germany

Introduction / History

Among the numerous languages spoken in Pakistan, Urdu is its national language and is primarily spoken by Pakistanis in Germany, especially among those who have been residing in the country for a considerable time. Germany hosts one of the largest Pakistani communities in Europe, second only to the United Kingdom. Many Pakistanis in Germany have obtained German citizenship, with the majority concentrated in the Hessen region centered around Frankfurt Rhein-Main; however, significant populations also reside in Berlin and other cities.
While Urdu is the dominant tongue, English is also widely spoken among Pakistanis in Germany. While subsequent generations of German-Pakistanis speak German proficiently, earlier generations have a more limited competency in the language.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Pakistani community in Germany is diverse, encompassing a broad spectrum of individuals, including international students, established professional workers, refugees and economic migrants. While some Pakistanis have established roots in the country, many are more recent arrivals, with the majority being male.
A significant portion of the Pakistani population in Germany are economic migrants seeking opportunities abroad amidst economic hardships. This group primarily comprises professionals, vocational workers, and small business owners, spanning various fields such as medicine, science, academia, technology and hospitality.
Alongside these migrants, Germany also welcomes Pakistani international students, with a significant number specializing in research and science. These students are drawn to Germany due to the close academic cooperation between the two countries and the accessibility of high-quality education, renowned for its affordability. Germany has also accepted a portion of refugees fleeing challenging circumstances back home, though asylum applications have faced high rejection rates in recent years.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority of Pakistanis in Germany follow Sunni Islam, with a minority adhering to Christianity and Hinduism.

What Are Their Needs?

As Pakistanis are drawn to Germany for educational and occupational opportunities, countless face the challenge of cross-cultural adjustment. This transition leaves most seeking a sense of belonging and place in German society. In the midst of this, may Pakistanis discover Christ so they can place their hope and identity in the King of kings and the Lord of Lords. Followers of Christ can assist by witnessing to them and cultivating a space of refuge where Pakistanis can be welcomed into the host culture, encounter the transformative love of Christ, and find belonging in the family of God.

Prayer Points

Pray for the sending of field workers to the Pakistani people in Germany and for their hearts to be ready to receive their Savior.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to ignite a chain reaction of Pakistani believers boldly sharing the gospel with their families and community, resulting in many souls coming to faith in Jesus who may witness to others.
Pray that the Lord may raise up Pakistani believers who will boldly proclaim the gospel, challenging their people to repent and find their identity in Christ.
Pray for families of believers to embody the love of Christ, serve others, and grow reproducing churches.
Pray for openness among local German churches to welcome and minister to the Pakistani community.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill Pakistani Christian disciples with grace and truth, empowering them to be ambassadors of Christ and expanding the Kingdom of God into every sphere of their community.
Pray for Pakistani families struggling with the challenges of adapting to life in a new country, employment, housing, and a sense of community and belonging as they adjust to German culture.
Pray that Pakistani Christians may be filled with the Holy Spirit, becoming beacons of God’s redeeming love to their families and community.

Text Source:   Joshua Project