USIP Report: The Diversity of Muslims in the United States

Special Report by United States Institute of Peace
February 2006 | Special Report No. 159

The Diversity of Muslims in the United States:Views as AmericansBy Qamar-ul Huda(For complete Report click the title above)

Summary
• There are approximately 6 to 7.5 million Muslims in the United States who identify themselves as Americans. The community consists of a combination of immigrants and second- and third-generation Arab, Latino, Asian, European, African, and African-American Muslims.
• The growth of the American Muslim community has fostered the development of a variety of religious, civic, political, cultural, economic, social, ethnic, feminist, artistic, and professional organizations.
• The diversity of American Muslim organizations provides a vast number of voices addressing such issues as terrorism, democracy, peacemaking, and human rights.
• American Muslims do not see contradictions between Islam and such ideals as democracy, pluralism, or political activism; rather, in recent years several national groups have made it their primary mission to reconcile all three with Islamic values.
• Some leaders see the blending of Islamic values with the American experience as a solid bridge to mutual understanding between the United States and the Muslim world.
• American Muslim advocacy organizations often collaborate with the White House and law enforcement authorities to devise strategies on public policy, civil rights, the war against terrorism, and other related issues.
• Many organizations emphasize the importance of self-scrutiny and education in relation to the larger Islamic heritage.
• Interfaith dialogue has taken the forefront on the agendas of many American Muslim organizations, demonstrating a belief that building trust, peace, and reconciliation will ultimately lead to harmonious interfaith relations in the United States.
• American Muslim scholars advocate greater involvement by Muslims in the political, social, economic, and cultural spheres of American society.
• American Muslim scholars believe Muslims have an enormous responsibility and talent for resolving conflict and being agents for peace.