Sikhs in Germany – Building Faith and Community in Modern Europe

Germany, the land of poets, philosophers, and thinkers, is home to one of the lesser-known yet deeply rooted Sikh communities in Europe. Though small in number, the Sikhs of Germany represent a remarkable story of faith, adaptation, and perseverance — a story still being written through generations that bridge Punjab and Europe. academic.oup.com

Early Arrivals of Sikhs in Germany: From Punjab to the Rhine

The Sikh presence in Germany began to take shape in the late 1960s and 1970s, when Punjabi migrants arrived seeking industrial and labor opportunities in a post-war, rebuilding Germany. Others came as students, scholars, and later, as asylum seekers during the unrest in Punjab in the 1980s.

Today, the Sikh population in Germany is estimated between 25,000 and 40,000, with communities concentrated in Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg, Munich, and Stuttgart. Over time, these groups have established Gurdwaras (Sikh temples), youth networks, and cultural associations that keep their faith and language alive in a foreign land. quora.com

Building Community: The Rise of Sikh Institutions

Gurudwara Guru Nanak Niwas / Hindu Sikh Kulturverein e.V.
Gurudwara Guru Nanak Niwas / Hindu Sikh Kulturverein e.V. is a welcoming religious place located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. This is a combined Hindu and Sikh cultural center and place of worship, likely located in Frankfurt, Germany

The first Gurdwaras in Germany emerged in the 1970s, often in rented halls or converted houses. The most notable among these is the Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Sabha in Frankfurt, which today stands as a central hub for Sikh gatherings, kirtan programs, and international visitors.

Another significant landmark is the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar in Cologne (Köln). Established by early Punjabi migrants, it has become a cultural bridge — offering langar (community kitchen) to all visitors and welcoming Germans who wish to learn about Sikhism. The Cologne Gurdwara regularly hosts interfaith events, embodying the Sikh principles of equality and universal brotherhood. ssgberlin.de

Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Berlin Germany
Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Berlin Germany. The Gurdwara is incorporated as an association, indicated by the suffix "e.V." (eingetragener Verein), which suggests it was founded by members of Berlin's Sikh community.

A Turning Point: When Sikh Girls Took the Stage

In 2009, something quietly revolutionary happened at a Sikh youth camp in Frankfurt. For the first time in German Sikh history, a young Sikh girl performed the Ardas (final prayer), and another conducted the Sukh Asan ceremony — respectfully closing the Guru Granth Sahib for the day.

Until then, such religious roles were traditionally reserved for men. The act, though simple, symbolized a new awakening among second-generation Sikhs in Germany — a generation balancing tradition with a modern sense of equality.

This event inspired Sikh camps across Europe to adopt more inclusive participation, showing how the Sikh spirit adapts and evolves without losing its essence. sikhnet.com

female Sikh youngster did the final Ardaas
For the first time, I learned that I do not have to be afraid of the Creator and Guru Granth Sahib Ji. I now feel very comfortable when I sit behind Guru Granth Sahib Ji. I have realised that the Creator is my friend and that no one gets punished by Waheguru”, said 10 year old Ajitpal Singh with a big smile after the camp.

A Community Tested: Challenges and Controversies

No diaspora story is without its trials. The Sikh community in Germany, too, has faced its share of tensions — both internal and external.

The Spy Scandal

In 2019, German authorities uncovered that a couple of Indian origin had been spying on Sikh and Kashmiri groups in Germany for India’s external intelligence agency (RAW). The revelations shocked the community and created fears of surveillance among activists involved in Sikh political or human rights issues. The incident underscored how transnational politics sometimes spill into diaspora spaces, even in peaceful countries like Germany. dw.com

A German Sikh Couple sentenced
Frankfurt found Manmohan S., 50, and his wife, Kanwal Jit K., 51, guilty of handing information on Kashmiri and Sikh groups to India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

Disputes Over Religious Leadership

There have also been internal rifts — like the well-publicized dispute at the Frankfurt Gurdwara over preaching by a visiting Sikh preacher, Panthpreet Singh. Differing interpretations of Sikh theology occasionally lead to disagreements, reminding us that diaspora communities are microcosms of the broader Sikh world — diverse, passionate, and sometimes divided in vision.

Two Sikh groups clashed at the Sikh Centre Gurudwara Frankfurt (Germany) over a programme by Panth Preet Singh, a preacher from Punjab. Police had to intervene to protect the preacher when he was reciting his Katha (story of Sikh preaching) at the gurdwara.

This intolerable behaviour has done much to tarnish the image of Sikhs once again, in a world where Sikhs are already mis-identified extremist Muslims, due to the presence of a beard and turban in their appearance. Sikhs at large have being doing much to correct this with proactive community projects such as langar on the street, to help swing around public perception to appreciate the loving nature of Sikhs and their way of life. sikh24.com

Panthpreet Singh, a preacher from Punjab, India.
Bhai Panthpreet Singh Khalsa is a Sikh preacher and spiritual leader from Punjab known for his discourses (katha) on Gurmat (the Sikh way of life). He leads the Gurmat Sewa Lehar (Gurmat Service Movement) and is a prominent, and at times controversial, voice in contemporary Sikh discourse.

Denial of Final Rites

More recently, a Sikh family in Singen, southern Germany, alleged that they were denied permission to perform Bhog and Antim Ardas (final rites) for their deceased mother by the local Gurdwara committee. The family appealed to the Akal Takht in Amritsar for justice, turning a personal tragedy into a wider discussion on compassion, authority, and community responsibility.

Balwinder Singh, a long-time resident of Singen, said that Daljit Singh and Paramjit Singh lost their mother recently and approached the Gurdwara to conduct the final rites. However, their request was refused by the Gurdwara committee.

The sangat said they had urged the Gurdwara committee to reconsider the decision, reminding them that the Guru’s house is open to all and highlighting the Sikh values of compassion and inclusion.
“But the committee didn’t listen or show any intention to resolve the issue with understanding or care,” Balwinder alleged.
When contacted, Davinder Singh, President of Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Singen, claimed that the management acted on advice from local police. He alleged that the individuals involved had previously clashed with members of the sangat, causing disturbances. As a result, the police reportedly advised the Gurdwara not to permit them entry. msn.com

AI generated German Sikh Family
Taking cognisance of a complaint regarding the alleged denial of permission by the management of Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Singen, Germany, to a Sikh family to hold the antim ardas and bhog ceremony for an elderly woman who had passed away, the Akal Takht has directed the gurdwara committee to lift the ban imposed on the family and submit a written clarification within two weeks.

A Collective Stand: The Nanakshahi Calendar

Despite such challenges, the Sikh Sangat in Germany has shown unity on key spiritual matters. In a historic move, several Gurdwaras collectively decided to adopt the Mool Nanakshahi Calendar, standardizing Gurpurab (Guru anniversary) dates in alignment with Sikh tradition rather than the older Bikrami calendar.

This collective decision was not just about dates — it was a statement of unity and commitment to preserving the purity of Sikh temporal identity in the modern world.

The Mool Nanakshahi Calendar provides information on Sikh religious dates, historical events, and the synchrony of the Sikh calendar with the tropical (solar) year. It gives the current Nanakshahi year and date, along with the names of months and the days of specific Sikh festivals, or Gurpurbs, which are now permanently fixed, unlike in the older Bikrami system.

Mool Nanakshahi Calendar
Mool Nanakshahi Calendar or Sikh calendar, is a tropical solar calendar used in Sikhism. It is based on the "Barah Maha" (Twelve Months), a composition composed by the Sikh gurus reflecting the changes in nature conveyed in the twelve-month cycle of the year. The year begins with the month of Chet, with 1 Chet corresponding to 14 March.

The Next Generation: German-Born Sikhs

The younger Sikh generation in Germany faces a different set of questions. They speak German as their first language, attend local schools, and navigate cultural intersections daily. Yet many remain deeply connected to Sikhism — volunteering at Gurdwaras, participating in langar, and learning Gurmukhi.

For these young Sikhs, the challenge is less about survival and more about visibility — ensuring that Sikh identity (from turban to kesh) is understood and respected in an increasingly secular Europe.

One young Sikh from Hamburg said during an interfaith dialogue,

“We are Germans by birth, Punjabis by heritage, and Sikhs by soul. Our turban reminds us that we belong everywhere — but forget nowhere.”

How do Germans feel about Sikhs?

In everyday life, most Germans don’t know much about Sikhism, so they often make quick assumptions — usually thinking you’re Muslim or from somewhere in the Middle East or Central Asia. About 90% of people won’t care at all, and many will even be friendly or curious. You might get mixed reactions: some confused smiles, a few respectful questions, or the occasional odd comment like “aren’t you hot in that turban?” or “what’s under it?” Once in a while, a drunk person might yell something like “adapt to our culture,” but outright racism or serious discrimination that actually stops you from doing something is quite rare.

How Sikhs in Germany handle or respond to such situations

Most Sikhs in Germany handle these moments with patience and a sense of calm. Many use curiosity as a chance to explain their faith or the meaning of the turban, often turning awkward encounters into friendly conversations. Gurdwaras in cities like Frankfurt, Cologne, and Munich regularly host open days and langar events where Germans are invited to visit, eat, and learn about Sikh culture firsthand. Over time, such interactions have helped build understanding and respect. Younger Sikhs, especially students and professionals, often play a key role in bridging this gap—by confidently sharing their identity at work, in universities, and on social media.

Conclusion

The story of Sikhs in Germany is one of faith under quiet transformation — from industrial migrants to integrated citizens, from temple builders to cultural ambassadors.

Each Ardas performed in a German Gurdwara, each bowl of langar served to a stranger, and each young Sikh who proudly ties a turban in Berlin or Cologne adds a new verse to this ongoing German chapter of Sikh history. Composed from reliable sources by the team of globalsikhiwiki.com

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