Sohail Hashmi Mount Holyoke College Islam in America Sohail Hashmi Mount Holyoke College

Islam in America Who Are American Muslims? American Islam: A Brief History American Muslims in American Politics

Who are American Muslims?

Compared to the average American, American Muslims are… Younger 95% of Muslims are under age 65 compared to 73% of all Americans Better educated 67% of Muslims have bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 44% of all Americans More affluent Median annual household income for Muslims is $52,000 compared to $44,000 for all Americans

Mosque attendance There are more than 1,200 mosques in South Asian African-American Arab Sub-Sahara African European European American Southeast Asian Caribbean Turkish Iranian Hispanic There are more than 1,200 mosques in America and some 2,000,000 Muslims affiliated with them.

American Islam: A Brief History The “Mother Mosque of America” was dedicated in February 1934 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C. in June 1957.

The Nation of Islam Elijah Muhammad Malcolm X (1897-1975) (1925-65) Muhammad Ali (1942- ) Malcolm X (1925-65) Warith Deen Muhammad (1933-2008)

American Muslims in American Politics Internal problems Disunity along ethnic lines Political apathy for cultural or ideological reasons External problems American two-party system Bigotry

Why Muslims Vote Republican Fiscal policies Approximately 25% of Muslims are in occupations (physicians, corporate managers, and small business owners) that tend to favor conservative fiscal policies. Family values Many Muslims are conservative on issues such as abortion, gay marriage, violence and sex in media, and school choice. Foreign policy Republicans are seen as more balanced on the Arab-Israeli conflict (important for Arab- Americans) and on the Kashmir dispute (important for Pakistani and Indian Americans).

Why Muslims Vote Democratic Civil rights African-American and immigrant Muslims are deeply concerned with discrimination. Welfare and foreign aid Many Muslims favor federal programs for the economically disadvantaged at home and abroad. Immigration policies Immigrant Muslims favor liberal immigration policies. Separation of church and state Muslims are concerned about talk of America as a “Christian nation.”

Public Opinion Source: Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, Sept. 2009

Orientalist Stereotypes

Obama’s “Muslim Problem”

“Ground Zero Mosque” Controversy Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and artist’s rendition of the Park51 Islamic center

American Muslim Lobbies

The 2000 Presidential Election Bush: Muslims 72% National 47.9% Gore: Muslims 9% National 48.4% Nader: Muslims 15% National 2.7%

The 2004 Presidential Election Kerry: Muslims 93%, National 48.3% Bush: Muslims 2%, National 50.7%

The 2008 Presidential Election Obama: Muslims 89%, National 52.9% McCain: Muslims 2%, National 45.7%

Muslims in Public Office In 2007 Keith Ellison (D-MN) became the first Muslim elected to Congress. Andre Carson (D-IN) was elected in 2008.

The Next Generation