Building on Faith

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Building on FaithThe growth of Islam in the United States

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Minaret capping ceremony at the new Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC) in Roxbury, Massachusetts, June 9, 2007.

The United States is a nation of deep faith.

In an adult population of 250 million people, more than 90 percent believe in God and more than half rank religion as very important in their lives.

Believe in God or a “universal spirit”

Total Population 92 percent

Christian 98 percent

Jewish 83 percent

Muslim 92 percent

Buddhist 75 percent

Hindu 70 percent

Unaffiliated 70 percent

Believe religion is “very important”

Total population 56 percent

Christian 70 percent

Jewish 31 percent

Muslim 72 percent

Buddhist 35 percent

Hindu 45 percent

Unaffiliated 16 percent

From U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, June 2008

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The United States is a nation of many diverse faiths.

The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life lists 140 different religions in the U.S. These fall into a handful of main groups.

Christian

Jewish

Muslim

Buddhist

Hindu

Unaffiliated

From U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, June 2008

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The United States is a nation of many diverse faiths.

Nearly 80 percent are Christian, which themselves are divided into many smaller religions.

Christian 78.5 percent

Protestant 51.3 percent

Catholic 23.9 percent

Mormon 1.7 percent

Jehovah’s Witness

.7 percent

Orthodox .6 percent

Other Christian

.3 percent

Christian

Jewish

Muslim

Buddhist

Hindu

Unaffiliated

From U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, June 2008

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The United States is a nation of many diverse faiths.

The remainder comprise four main religions, plus those unaffiliated with any organized group.

Jewish 1.7 percent

Muslim .6 percent

Buddhist .7 percent

Hindu .4 percent

Unaffiliated 16 percent

From U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, June 2008

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Muslim .6 percent

1.5 million adults (18 & over)+ 850,000 under 18

2.35 million

How many are Muslim?

The Pew Study estimates a Muslim American population of .6 percent of the total, or approximately 2.35 million Muslims nationwide.

Jewish 1.7 percent

Muslim .6 percent

Buddhist .7 percent

Hindu .4 percent

Unaffiliated 16 percent

From Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream Pew Research Center, May 2007

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Where do they come from?

From Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream Pew Research Center, May 2007

Most American Muslims – 65% - were born elsewhere and more than 50%

immigrated to the United States since 1980.

Year of arrival

1990 – 2007 39 percent

1980 – 1989 15 percent

Before 1980 11 percent

Worshippers listen to the Khutba during Friday Prayer at the annual Islamic Society of North America

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Where do they come from?

Most American Muslims – 65% – were born elsewhere and have immigrated

to the United States since 1980. Foreign-born American Muslims

Arab region 24 percent

Pakistan 8 percent

Other - South Asia 10 percent

Iran 8 percent

Europe 5 percent

Other - Africa 4 percent

Other 6 percent

Total 65 percent of Muslims in U.S.

From Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream Pew Research Center, May 2007

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An immigrant prays.

Where do they come from?

The majority of native-born Muslims are African American, and the majority

are converts to Islam. Native-born American Muslims

African American 20 percent

Other 15 percent

Total 35 percent of Muslims in U.S.

Converts to Islam 21 percent

Born Muslim 14 percent

Total 35 percent of Muslims in U.S.

From Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream Pew Research Center, May 2007

Prayer service at a mosque in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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Where do they live?

American Muslims are fairly evenly distributed across the country.

From Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream Pew Research Center, May 2007

South 32 percent

Northeast 29 percentMidwest 22 percent

West 18 percent

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Where do they worship?

Regional distribution of mosques in the United States

South 26 percent

Northeast 30 percentMidwest 29 percent

West 15 percent

From U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, June 2008

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Growth of Mosques in the United States

The number of mosques in the United States has doubled in the last 15 years.

Year Number of mosques

1994 962*

2000 1,209*

2008 2,000+**

* The Mosque in America : A National Portrait, Council on American – Islamic Relations (CAIR) 2001** Islamic Architecture, Art, and Urbanism, MIT Libraries, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 2008** IslamiCity.com 13

Growth of Mosques in the United States

The number of mosques in the United States has doubled in the last 15 years.

California has the most - more than 300. Shown at far left is the Islamic Society of Orange County, California.

Michigan has the largest - Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Michigan, top left. The 70,000 square foot facility, built in 2005, can accommodate more than 3,000 worshipers.

Iowa has the oldest – The Mother Mosque built in 1934 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Though a larger facility was opened in the 1970s the Mother Mosque remains in use.

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Growth of Mosques in the United States

Islamic Center of BoiseShiite and Sunni (Islam)2719 Stewart Ave, Boise, Idaho 83702

The first Muslim in Boise, a student at Boise State University, arrived in 1955. In 1982 the first community of Muslims formed with 15-20 people. Prayers were held in individual homes until 1989 when the community began renting an apartment building.

In 1996 the Muslim community grew significantly due to the influx of computer software companies and refugees from Bosnia, Somalia, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In 2002, after 12 years of fundraising, the Boise Muslims purchased the building that is now the Boise Mosque and Islamic Center. The building was formerly a church, and then a dance studio.

From The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

One example of how mosques grow in the United States.

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Coast to coast tour of Mosques in the United StatesFrom Boston, Massachusetts to Garden Grove, California

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A Nation of Mosques

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Ramadan Greetings

I send greetings to Muslims observing Ramadan in America and around the world.

Ramadan, the holiest days of the Islamic faith, begins with the first light of dawn and commemorates the revelation of the Qur'an to the prophet Muhammad. During the days of fasting, prayer, and worship, Muslims reflect and remember their dependence on God. Ramadan is also an occasion for Muslims to strengthen family and community ties and share God's gifts with those in need.

America is a land of many faiths, and our society is enriched by our Muslim citizens. May the holy days of Ramadan remind us all to seek a culture of compassion and serve others in charity.

Laura and I send our best wishes. Ramadan Mubarak.

GEORGE W. BUSH

President George W. Bush, right, listens as Imam Talal Eid, left, delivers his prayer before the Iftar dinner, in the State Dining Room of the White House.

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Credits and resources

SourcesU.S. Religious Landscape Survey Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, June 2008http://religions.pewforum.org

Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream Pew Research Center, May 2007http://pewforum.org/surveys/muslim-american

The Pluralism Project at Harvard Universityhttp://www.pluralism.org

The Mosque in America : A National Portrait, Council on American – Islamic Relations (CAIR) 2001http://www.cair.com

Dr. Omar Khalidi, Islamic Architecture, Art, and Urbanism, MIT Libraries, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)http://libraries.mit.edu/guides/subjects/islamicarchitecture/visual/usamosques.html

Photo Credits

Aramco Services Company

Associated Press

Dr. Omar Khalidi, Islamic Architecture Librarian, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

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For more Information

http://America.gov

20United States Department of State / Bureau of International Information Programs