Eleven Things You Need to Know About Islam in America Today
Most Americans tell pollsters they know little or nothing about Islam. Today, however, America’s security and the vibrancy of our democracy depend on Americans learning about Islam and understanding this religious tradition that is becoming an ever more visible part of our religious and civic life.
Conservatives such as Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin are undertaking a widespread and well-orchestrated effort to paint all Muslim Americans as a potential threat, and even aliens in their own country. They and other conservatives are circulating wildly inaccurate views of Islam. Their take on the religion is distorted and poses a threat to our national security. What’s more, the marked increase in Islamophobic rhetoric coincides with the midterm-election campaign season, raising serious questions about its political intent.
Since the fall of 2009 the Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative at CAP has been engaged in a Young Muslim American Voices Project that attempts to lessen the gap between public misperceptions of Islam and the reality of the rich and varied lives of young Muslim Americans. We’ve worked with a talented and diverse group of young Muslim-American leaders to educate the public through video, written pieces, Twitter, and online interviews.
We are expanding the project this year and increasing our efforts to push back against Islamophobia by promoting practices that have proven effective in combating extremism. We are working with young Muslim leaders in specific policy areas such as immigration, the environment, national security, arts and culture, and more. And we are connecting these leaders with CAP policy experts to learn from their work and help strengthen their efforts.
Here are some of the thoughts and views of the young Muslim-American leaders in our project excerpted from their writings and interviews. Together they comprise a list of 11 things the American public should know about Islam. Their voices are the “real Islam” in America and the best antidote to the toxins promoted by those who know little or nothing about authentic Islam and who may have a political bias.
