Building on Faith 1

The growth of Islam in the United States 2 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 population56 percent Christian70 percent Jewish31 percent Muslim72 percent Buddhist35 percent Hindu45 percent Unaffiliated16 percent From U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, June

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

The United States is a nation of many diverse faiths. Nearly 80 percent are Christian, which themselves are divided into many smaller religions. Christian78.5 percent Protestant51.3 percent Catholic23.9 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

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 Unaffiliated16 percent From U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, June

Muslim.6 percent 1.5 million adults (18 & over) + 850,000 under 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 Unaffiliated16 percent From Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream Pew Research Center, May

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 Year of arrival 1990 – percent 1980 – percent Before percent Worshippers listen to the Khutba during Friday Prayer at the annual Islamic Society of North America 8

Where do they come from? Most American Muslims – 65% – were born elsewhere and have immigrated to the United States since Foreign-born American Muslims Arab region24 percent Pakistan 8 percent Other - South Asia10 percent Iran 8 percent Europe 5 percent Other - Africa 4 percent Other 6 percent Total65 percent of Muslims in U.S. From Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream Pew Research Center, May 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 American20 percent Other15 percent Total35 percent of Muslims in U.S. Converts to Islam21 percent Born Muslim14 percent Total35 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. 10

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 percent Midwest 22 percent West 18 percent 11

Where do they worship? Regional distribution of mosques in the United States South 26 percent Northeast 30 percent Midwest 29 percent West 15 percent From U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, June

Growth of Mosques in the United States The number of mosques in the United States has doubled in the last 15 years. YearNumber of mosques * 20001,209* ,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. 14

Growth of Mosques in the United States Islamic Center of Boise Shiite and Sunni (Islam) 2719 Stewart Ave, Boise, Idaho The first Muslim in Boise, a student at Boise State University, arrived in In 1982 the first community of Muslims formed with 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. 15

Coast to coast tour of Mosques in the United States From Boston, Massachusetts to Garden Grove, California 16

A Nation of Mosques 17

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. 18

Credits and resources Sources U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, June Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream Pew Research Center, May The Pluralism Project at Harvard University The Mosque in America : A National Portrait, Council on American – Islamic Relations (CAIR) Dr. Omar Khalidi, Islamic Architecture, Art, and Urbanism, MIT Libraries, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Photo Credits Aramco Services Company Associated Press Dr. Omar Khalidi, Islamic Architecture Librarian, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) The Pluralism Project at Harvard University 19

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