Editing Islam in Germany (section)

==Methodological issues in religious demographics==
Germany, like many European countries, does not register the religion of individuals in a centralized or mandatory system. Religious affiliation is typically only recorded if a person is a registered member of a recognized religious community, such as for purposes of church tax ("Kirchensteuer"). Many people of Muslim background in Germany are not affiliated with a mosque or Islamic organization, and may be secular, agnostic, atheist, or have converted to another religion.

Estimates of the Muslim population in Germany often rely on the assumption that individuals from Muslim-majority countries are Muslim, which can lead to overestimations. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) notes that between 5.3 and 5.6 million individuals with a migration background from predominantly Muslim countries reside in Germany.<ref name="BAMF2020">{{cite web |title=Muslim Life in Germany |publisher=Federal Office for Migration and Refugees |date=2020 |url=https://www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Anlagen/EN/Forschung/Forschungsberichte/fb38-muslimisches-leben.html}}</ref> However, this figure does not account for the diverse religious identities and beliefs of these individuals.

A significant number of refugees in Germany have fled their home countries due to persecution related to blasphemy or apostasy. In several countries, such as Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq, individuals who renounce Islam or are accused of blasphemy face severe penalties, including the death penalty.<ref <ref name="EUAA Iran 2025">{{cite web
|title = Country Guidance: Iran
|work = Individuals perceived to have committed blasphemy and/or apostasy, including converts and atheists
|publisher = European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA)
|date = 2025
|url = https://euaa.europa.eu/country-guidance-iran-2025/33-individuals-perceived-have-committed-blasphemy-andor-apostasy-including-converts-and-atheists
|access-date = {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://euaa.europa.eu/country-guidance-afghanistan-2024/311-individuals-considered-have-committed-blasphemy-andor-apostasy |title=Afghanistan: Blasphemy/Apostasy Laws |publisher=EUAA |date=2024}}</ref> These individuals often seek asylum in countries like Germany to escape such persecution.

Organizations like the Central Council of Ex-Muslims have highlighted the plight of non-religious individuals and converts who face discrimination and danger in their countries of origin.<ref name="ExMuslimDE">{{cite web
|title = Central Council of Ex-Muslims Germany
|publisher = Zentralrat der Ex-Muslime
|url = https://exmuslim.de/
|language = German
|access-date = {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}
}}</ref> Their presence in Germany underscores the importance of recognizing the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of refugees, rather than making assumptions based solely on country of origin.