The Influence of Islamophobia on Ethnic and Religious Identification among the Iranian Diaspora: Iranian Jews and Baha’is in Germany

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-32892-8_4

The chapter explores the identity formation and changing patterns of belonging among Iranian immigrants in Germany. The topic of interest is how different religious groups from Iran, whose traditions are heavily intertwined with Islam, conceptualise their Iranian heritage in the context of Islamophobia. Focusing on Baha’is and Jews, the chapter assesses how these two minorities cope with anti-Muslim racism in German society: although they are not Muslim, they are subjected to anti-Muslim sentiments due to their Middle Eastern origin. The chapter discusses ethnic and religious identification as a form of differentiation from Islam and in order to find social acceptance in the diaspora.