American Muslim Civic & Political Integration

8/11/2019 American Muslim Civic & Political Integration

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T a s k F o r c e s e r I e s

Strengthening America:The Civic and Political Integration

of Muslim Americans

r e p o r T o F T h e T a s k F o r c e o n m u s l I m a m e r I c a n

c I v I c a n d p o l I T I c a l e n g a g e m e n T

T h e c h I c a g o c o u n c I l o n g l o b a l a F F a I r s

Farooq Kathwari and Lynn M. Martin, CochairsChristopher B. Whitney, Project Director

s p o n s o r e d b y


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The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is a leading independent, nonpartisan organi-zation committed to influencing the discourse on global issues through contributionsto opinion and policy formation, leadership dialogue, and public learning.

The Chicago Council provides members, specialized groups, and the general publicwith a forum for the consideration of significant international issues and their bear-ing on American foreign policy. In addition to remaining the premier platform in theMidwest for international leaders in foreign policy, The Chicago Council strives totake the lead in gaining recognition for Chicago as an international business centerfor the corporate community and to broaden and deepen The Chicago Councils rolein the community.

THE CHICAGO COUNCIL TAKES NO INSTITUTIONAL POSITION ON MATTERSOF PUBLIC POLICY AND OTHER ISSUES ADDRESSED IN THE REPORTS AND

PUBLICATIONS IT SPONSORS AND HAS NO AFFILIATION WITH THE U.S.GOVERNMENT OR OTHER BODIES. ALL STATEMENTS OF FACT AND EXPRESSIONSOF OPINION CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OFTHE TASK FORCE AND ITS MEMBERS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE VIEWS OFTHEIR RESPECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS, THE PROJECT FUNDERS, OR THE CHICAGOCOUNCILS BOARD AND STAFF. WHILE THE TASK FORCE IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLEFOR ITS REPORT, INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE MAY NOT AGREEWITH THE REPORT IN ITS ENTIRETY.

The Chicago Council will sponsor an independent task force when (1) an issue of cur-rent and critical importance to U.S. foreign policy arises and (2) it seems that a groupdiverse in backgrounds and perspectives may, nonetheless, be able to reach a mean-ingful consensus on a policy through private and nonpartisan deliberations. Typically,a task force meets five times over a brief period to ensure the relevance of its work.

Upon reaching a conclusion, a task force issues a report, and The Chicago Councilpublishes its text and posts it on The Chicago Council Web site.

All task force reports benchmark their findings against current policy in order tomake explicit areas of agreement and disagreement. The task force is solely respon-sible for this report. The Chicago Council takes no institutional position.

For further information about The Chicago Council or this Task Force, please writeto The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, 332 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1100,Chicago, IL, 60604, or visit www.thechicagocouncil.org.

Project DirectorChristopher Whitney

Copyright 2007 by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

All rights reserved.Printed in the United States of America.

This report may not be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form (beyond thatcopying permitted by sections 107 and 108 of the U.S. Copyright Law and excerptsby reviewers for the public press), without written permission from the publisher.For information, write The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, 332 South MichiganAvenue, Suite 1100, Chicago, IL, 60604.

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Farooq KathwariChairman, President, and CEOEthan Allen Interiors Inc.

Lynn M. MartinFormer United States Secretary of Labor

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Geneive AbdoSenior Analyst, Gallup Center for Muslim StudiesThe Gallup Organization

Javeed AkhterExecutive DirectorInternational Strategy and Policy Institute

Salam Al-MarayatiDirectorMuslim Public Affairs Council

Khalid AzimExecutive DirectorUBS Securities LLC

Yahya M. BashaFounder and ChairmanMuslim American Coalition

M. Cherif BassiouniDistinguished Research Professor of LawDePaul University School of Law

Louise CainkarAssistant Professor, Social and Cultural SciencesMarquette University

Colleen K. ConnellExecutive DirectorACLU of Illinois

Task Force Report- i


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Strengthening America

ii - The Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Task Force Members

Task Force Report- iii

Richard H. CooperFounderGeneral Welfare Group, LLC

Sunil GargDirector, Integration OfficeExelon Corporation

William S. GrahamFounderShenandoah Capital, LLC

David D. HillerPresident, Publisher, and CEOLos Angeles Times

Shamil IdrissActing Director, Alliance of CivilizationsUnited Nations

Dale T. KnobelPresidentDenison University

John Jeffry Louis IIIChairmanParson Capital Corporation

Aminah Beverly McCloudProfessor of Religious Studies and DirectorIslamic World Studies ProgramDePaul University

Abdul Malik MujahidChairCouncil of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago

Guity NashatAssociate Professor of HistoryUniversity of Illinois at Chicago

Mary Rose OakarPresidentAmerican-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee

Talat OthmanPresidentGrove Financial Inc.

Eboo PatelFounder and Executive DirectorInterfaith Youth Core

Imad I. QasimPartnerSidley Austin LLP

Ahmed RehabExecutive DirectorCAIR Chicago

Gowher RizviLecturer in Public Policy and DirectorAsh Institute for Democratic Governance and InnovationKennedy School of Government, Harvard University

Carl RobinsonManaging PartnerMICA Chicago

Nawar ShoraDirector, Law Enforcement Outreach ProgramAmerican-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee

Donald M. StewartVisiting Professor, Harris School of Public PolicyThe University of Chicago

Philippa StrumDirector, United States StudiesWoodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars


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Sayyid M. SyeedNational Director, Office of Interfaith and Community AlliancesIslamic Society of North America

John TateishiNational Executive Director (retired)Japanese American Citizens League

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Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Part I: The Challenge

1 Call to Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

2 The Muslim American Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

3 September 11 and Muslim Americans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

4 The Challenge of Integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Part II: Recommendations

#1 Expand and Recognize Muslim AmericanContributions to National Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

#2 Improve Media Coverage and Public Understandingof Muslim Americans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

#3 Increase Civic Engagement amongMuslim Americans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

#4 Build Stronger Muslim American Institutions . . . . . . . . . 56

#5 Cultivate the Next Generation ofMuslim American Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

#6 Give Ongoing National Attention to

Muslim American Integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Appendix: Muslim American Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Signers of the Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Task Force Cochairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Participant Biographic Summaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Task Force Observers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Task Force Session Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Selected Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Sidebar Source Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105


iv - The Chicago Council on Global Affairs


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Task Force Report- 3

ForeWord

Americas strength has long been tied to its commitment to diver-sity and its openness to the waves of immigrants arriving on itsshores from every corner of the world. The talents and energies ofthese immigrants and their dedication to the values of their adoptedcountry have made the United States the worlds strongest and mostadaptive nation. Muslim American immigrants, while a relativelyrecent addition to the American mosaic, were on a path taken bymany previous immigrant groups prior to the September 11, 2001,attacks. Those groups had come to the United States in search of the

American dream and through hard work achieved much economicsuccess. The path also eventually led them to full participation inU.S. civic and political life.

The Muslim American path to integration changed dramaticallywith the tragic events of September 11, which left many Americansquestioning the loyalty and intentions of Muslim Americans. Thesubsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the broader war on ter-rorism contributed to deepening suspicions at a time when Muslim

Americans lacked well recognized institutions and leaders who couldhave helped respond to public concerns.

It is in the interest of all Americans not to allow an atmosphereof distrust and misunderstanding to endure. The nation faces criticalforeign and domestic policy challenges relating directly to Muslimpopulations around the world, which Muslim Americans can helpaddress. Muslim and non-Muslim Americans must work togetherto expand the opportunities for Muslim Americans to participate inthe national discourse and help meet the urgent challenges ahead.Doing so will enhance the nations security and well-being and reaf-firm our commitment to equality under the law, pluralism, and toler-ance as bedrock principles of American society.

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The Chicago Council Task Force on Muslim American Civic andPolitical Engagement was convened in February 2006 to consider theengagement of Muslim Americans in the national discourse on U.S.foreign policy. Cochaired by Farooq Kathwari, chairman, president,and chief executive officer of Ethan Allen Inc., and Lynn Martin, for-mer U.S. secretary of labor and former U.S. congresswoman fromIllinois, the Task Force brought together thirty-two leading figures

Task Force Report- 3


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4 - The Chicago Council on Global Affairs Task Force Report- 5

Foreword

the deliberations to develop agreement on the broad framework forthe reports recommendations. I would like to thank them in particu-lar for their commitment of time and knowledge and their willing-ness to exchange views in a frank and open manner.

The Council is grateful to Caroline P. Cracraft, formerly of theBritish Consulate General of Chicago, and Qamar-ul Huda of theUnited States Institute for Peace, who served as observers and advi-sors to the Task Force.

Nadia Roumani made invaluable contributions to the Task Forceprocess with two commissioned papers on capacity building forMuslim American institutions that she wrote and presented to theTask Force. These studies provided important information for thedevelopment of the report. The Chicago Council would also like tothank Brie Loskota for her work in coauthoring one of the papers.I would also like to thank Craig Charney and his colleagues atCharney Research for organizing two focus groups of Muslims andnon-Muslims that helped the Task Force understand perceptions ofMuslim Americans.

The Task Forces deliberations were informed by the knowledgeand perspectives offered by outside experts who spoke to the TaskForce. We are grateful to Richard Cizik, Marda Dunsky, Rabbi BradHirschfield, Sulayman Nyang, and Agha Saeed for providing theirtime, thoughts, and counsel.

The Council and Task Force cochairs would like to thank thenumerous government officials, community leaders, experts, andmembers of the media who met with delegations of Task Force mem-bers during visits to Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C.,London, and Paris. In particular, the Council would like to thank

Andrew Seaton, the British consul general in Chicago, and RichardBarbeyron, the former French consul general in Chicago, for theirassistance in organizing a very informative set of meetings in Londonand Paris, respectively. The Council would also like to thank TaskForce member Philippa Strum for helping to facilitate these meetings,traveling tirelessly to participate in them, and for hosting the reportsrelease at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

The Council extends a special thanks to all who contributed tothe writing and editing of the Task Force report, most especially theCouncils executive director for studies, Christopher Whitney, wholed the process of creating a report that expresses so well the agreedconclusions of the group. Patricia OToole played a critical editingrole in refining the draft report, and The Chicago Council is verygrateful for the time she dedicated to the project.

from around the United States to examine the challenges and oppor-tunities for greater Muslim American civic and political participa-tion and to develop a report of findings and recommendations. TheTask Forces mandate expressly did not include an examination ofU.S. foreign or national security policy toward the Muslim world orany part of it, the perceptions of the American public and Americanleaders of events and issues involving Muslims outside the UnitedStates, the actions or attitudes of Muslim communities toward theUnited States and its policies and how those actions and attitudesaffect Muslim Americans, or the views of Muslim Americans in par-ticular of U.S. policies and actions in the Muslim world or any otherdimension of U.S. foreign policy.

As a Midwest institution, The Chicago Council is well positionedto facilitate a dialogue between Muslim and non-Muslim leaders onthese important issues. The Midwest is home to four of the nine U.S.states with the largest Muslim populations, and there is great diver-sity within these communities. The Chicago Council also has a stronginterest in addressing issues related to immigration. The Councilbelieves that perspectives from the Midwest will be a valuable addi-tion to the national discourse on Muslim American integration.

Acknowledgments

The Chicago Council would like to first thank the Task Forcescochairs, Farooq Kathwari and Lynn Martin, for their leadershipand guidance through a demanding eighteen-month process. TheCouncil is especially fortunate to have found two leaders with suchbroad and complementary experience who could bring their exper-

tise to bear on such a complex and controversial topic. Informedconversations on the role of Muslim Americans in American publiclife are currently taking place only in a few, small specialized circles.It is a testament to the insight, energy, and dedication of SecretaryMartin and Mr. Kathwari that the Task Force was able to assemble abroad and diverse group of prominent individuals on the topic; con-duct a series of wide-ranging discussions with the group; seek theviews of many interested parties from government, nongovernmen-tal organizations, the media, academia, and civic communities inthe United States and Europe; and incorporate the insights gleanedfrom this process into a thoughtful, wide-ranging report.

The Council would also like to extend its deep gratitude to theTask Force members. They brought varied backgrounds and per-spectives to the table and yet were willing to work together during


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Several members of the Council staff played key parts in plan-ning and implementing the project and creating the Task Forcesreport. As project director Christopher Whitney masterminded theentire project from beginning to end with great skill and extraor-dinary dedication. Alya Adamany very ably managed all the meet-ing logistics and provided valuable input to recruiting Task Forcemembers, preparing session summaries, and developing the report.Council intern Victoria Strokova very diligently worked on the reportsidebars and fact-checked the report. Chicago Council staff, includ-ing Rachel Bronson, Elisa Miller, Silvia Veltcheva, J.D. Bindenagel,Richard Longworth, Daniela Abuzatoaie, and Gina Demke, alongwith Chicago Council interns Ruby Khan, Leena Al Arian, DiyaBose, Amisha Chaudhary, Sarah Rashid, Katie Shepherd, and KeithWeghorst, also made valuable contributions to the effort.

Finally, The Chicago Council would like to express its deepappreciation and thanks to the Ford Foundation, the CarnegieCorporation of New York, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the John D.and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, andJaveed Akhter for the generous support that made the Task Force andthis report possible.

Marshall M. BoutonPresidentThe Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Executive Summary

Muslim Americans were thrust into the spotlight by the terroristattacks of September 11, 2001, whose perpetrators claimed to beacting in the name of Islam. Many Americans, knowing little aboutIslam or about Muslims living in the United States, came to identifythe terrorist threat with the Muslim community at large and to viewMuslim Americans with deep suspicion and doubt. Nearly six yearslater, fears and suspicion remain. Terrorism remains an urgent threat,the terrorists continue to wrap themselves in the mantle of Islam,misunderstandings persist, and the ability of Muslim Americans to

counter the rising tide of skepticism has been impeded, damagingthe efforts of the many who are ardently trying to carve a construc-tive place in American society.

Muslim Americans are a very diverse group, comprised of a mixof ethnic, linguistic, ideological, social, economic, and sectariangroups. Roughly two-thirds are first-generation immigrants fromacross the globe, and a significant portion of the remainder is AfricanAmerican. Before September 11, many Muslim Americans had begunfollowing the path to integration taken by millions of immigrantsand minorities before themfacing many of the same challengesand opportunities. Yet the integration of Muslim Americans was notyet well under way in September 2001. Their institutions were under-developed, and they lacked strong, visible leaders.

Despite these limitations, many Muslim Americans joinedwith other Americans in responding to the September 11 attacks.They volunteered time and money to relief efforts. Several leadingnational Muslim organizations came out immediately to condemnthe attacks. Others have cooperated with law enforcement agenciesto address homeland security challenges.

At the same time, extensive federal and other law enforce-ment investigations since September 11 have focused on MuslimAmericans. These investigations have resulted in arrests and a smallnumber of successful prosecutions on terrorism-related charges.Though any involvement of Muslim Americans with extremism raisesstrong concerns, independent studies have underscored that unlikein Europe, there is little, if any, publicly available evidence to date ofwidespread or entrenched extremist activity with links to al Qaeda orother global terrorist organizations.

Nevertheless, Muslim American efforts to dissociate them-selves from the terrorist threat have not been fully effective for anumber of reasons. The perception by many Americans that some


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Executive Summary

on antiterrorism efforts. While government officials have creditedMuslim Americans for these and subsequent efforts, doubts aboutthe efforts persist. The visibility and effectiveness of the Muslim

American response to September 11 was limited in part by the lackof institutional capacity and recognizable voices in the commu-nity. It remains critical that Muslim Americans take more activesteps to counter the threat of terror and that the government workmore effectively to build trust and partnerships with the Muslim

American community.

Disavowing terrorism

Many Muslim Americans have taken positive steps to denounceterrorism and differentiate their traditions from the beliefs of radi-cal groups. It is crucial that they continue to focus on these positivesteps as the danger of terrorism persists. While Muslim Americansquestion the fairness of holding all Muslim Americans responsiblefor constantly condemning the actions of a few extremists, the realityis that in the eyes of much of American society, the burden is still onMuslim Americans to respond. Muslim American leaders and orga-nizations can amplify their condemnations of extremism and terror-ist acts, strengthen their efforts to prevent radical activity within theMuslim American community, and find more effective ways to com-municate these endeavors to the media and the public.

Expanding contributions to homeland security

Successful partnerships between Muslim Americans and local

law enforcement such as Southern Californias Muslim-AmericanHomeland Security Congress should be expanded. A national net-

work of such partnerships could play a vital role in the early detec-tion of potential threats. Programs like the Muslim Public AffairsCouncils National Grassroots Campaign to Fight Terrorism canbe extended to all U.S. mosques. Muslim leaders can do more toencourage young Muslim Americans to seek employment with theU.S. government and could work with relevant government agenciesto create internships.

The U.S. government can do more to facilitate communicationand cooperation with Muslim America. Public statements by seniorofficials acknowledging the significance of Muslim American con-tributions to national security and emphasizing the importance ofnot holding any group accountable for the actions of a few would

help build public acceptance and understanding of the commu-nity. Cultural sensitivity training for federal law enforcement offi-cers would also increase the trust and communication necessary forfuller cooperation. A further vital step is to ensure that any investiga-tions conducted by law enforcement be carried out in ways that donot violate U. S. laws and civil rights.

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In recent public opinion surveys, a sizable minority of Americansexpressed fear and hostility toward Muslims and Islam, creating per-ceptions of a r ising Islamophobia in the United States. Media effortsto educate the public on Islam and the lives of Muslim Americanshave been complicated by the spread of terrorist violence in theMiddle East and elsewhere and by terrorists continuing claim thatthey are acting in the name of Islam. While many major Americannewspapers and broadcast media have improved the quality of theircoverage of Islam and Muslim societies since September 11, oth-ers have continued to present Islam as a monolith and to portrayMuslims in stereotypical or biased ways that create an us-versus-them mentality. Public opinion studies also show that Americans

who are more familiar with Islam and know Muslim Americans per-sonally are more likely to see them as being like other Americans.

Working with the media

Media organizations and Muslim American groups could jointlysponsor seminars to address concerns on both sides and deepenrelationships and understanding. Muslim organizations could traintheir leaders and spokespersons to communicate more effectively

with the media and proactively pitch stories. The media can workto eliminate or clarify language that conflates Islam or Muslims withfascism or terrorism, strive for informed coverage of eventsinclud-ing Muslim American condemnations of violence and radicalismand support the training of more Muslim American journalists.



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Executive Summary

Creating an independent, national organization dedicated topublic education

The creation of a new nonadvocacy institution focused on educatingthe public about Muslim cultures and societies would help broaden

American understanding. The institution would be nonethnic, non-denominational, and nonpolitical and would provide informationon the rich and diverse heritage of the Muslim world through exhibi-tions, lectures, conferences, and publications. Over time, the organi-zation could become a trusted, impartial source of information andexpertise for the public, media, and government on the many facetsof Muslim life throughout the world.

Undertaking a wide range of efforts to further public understanding

Demystifying Islam for the general public will require greater initia-tives by many different Muslim American groups and other Americanorganizations, working separately and in partnership. Interfaithactivities, cultural events, and educational initiatives at the primary,secondary, and university levels would all increase awareness of thecommunity and its intellectual, scientific, and cultural achievements.It is vital that non-Muslim religious and secular organizations takepart in this work since they have the capacity to reach audiences thatMuslim institutions cannot, and their participation would enhancethe legitimacy and credibility of the message.

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Much of the groundwork for achieving increased civic and politicalintegration is in place. Most Muslim Americans view the United Statesas their home. They see no contradiction between the moral teach-ings of Islam and the values that Americans hold dear. A number ofinstitutions and initiatives are already positioned to help. SpeedingMuslim American integration is in the interest of all Americans, andsuccess will involve building on these foundations and creatingstronger ties between Muslim and non-Muslim groups.

Expanding partnerships

Encouraging Muslim Americans to play a greater part in civic lifeshould be a high priority for Muslim organizations. Opportunities

for engagement can be increased by expanding existing partnershipswith non-Muslim groups and by forming new partnerships. Suchactivities create opportunities for Muslim leaders to frame publicservice in a Muslim context and make civic participation a funda-mental element of Muslim American life.

Forming a national leadership group of prominent Muslim Americans

A leadership network of prominent Muslim Americans couldstrengthen Muslim American institutions and create new programsto encourage Muslim youth to enter public service. The enhancedcommunication among Muslim American leaders would help theirorganizations and the community at large respond more rapidlyand effectively to public and media interest, especially in times ofheightened concern. Members of the leadership group could alsoserve as community ambassadors to the U.S. government, offeringinformed perspectives on U.S. relations with Muslim societies, andas interlocutors between Muslim Americans and Muslim communi-ties abroad.

Building coalitions on important policy initiatives

Muslim American organizations could make a valuable contribu-tion to the American body politic by expanding their participation incoalitions concerned with issues such as immigration, public health,and the strengthening of democratic institutions. This will helpother Americans understand that Muslims have great concern fora wide range of issues affecting the national well-being. It will also

enable Muslims to expand their contributions to the larger societyand increase the moral authority of Muslim leaders when they seeksupport on issues of particular interest to Muslim Americans.

Bridging religious divides

The country would benefit from greater cooperation among Muslim,Christian, and Jewish organizations. All three faiths share a deepspiritual connection to the Middle East, but their disagreements overU.S. foreign policy and events in the region have severely strainedinterfaith relations and hampered the dialogue and collaboration onnumerous important domestic issues. Current conversations can beexpanded to include an increasingly diverse group of organizations,becoming the basis of a national forum for interfaith discussions.


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Executive Summary

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Muslim American institutions do not have the range of opportuni-ties for participation in the policy discourse to meet the communitysand the nations needs. Their limited role is partly attributable to thediversity of Muslim America, which complicates efforts to coalesceon issues or to create institutions that cross over among differentMuslim American groups. The capacity constraints typical of youngethnic and religious institutions have also been a handicap. In addi-tion, some institutions have avoided foreign policy issues for fear

of drawing unfavorable scrutiny or detracting from their work oncivil rights. While the challenge of strengthening Muslim Americaninstitutions may appear daunting, similar challenges have been mettime and again by other immigrant groups and minority communi-ties. Many of the strategies used by these groups can be emulated byMuslim Americans.

Increasing institutional effectiveness and engagement

It is critical that existing Muslim American organizations bestrengthened further and that new ones be formed to help increaseunderstanding of Muslim American life and facilitate participationin the civic and political discourse. Many existing institutions needto restructure, develop new strategies, and learn how to effectivelydeliver their messages. They need to provide Muslim Americans witheducation on the workings of American civic and political life, andthey need to improve dialogue and interaction across ethnic, sec-

tarian, and generational lines within the Muslim American com-munity. As they build capacity, Muslim organizations will have moresuccess in forming partnerships with non-Muslim organizations toaddress issues of common concern. American foundations shouldbe encouraged to make a long-term commitment to helping theseinstitutions become more effective.

Broadening academic and policy initiatives

The engagement of more Muslim American scholars in the activi-ties of think tanks, research institutes, and universities on issuesrelated to Islam and Muslim societies would also be valuable. Thereis a need for endowed chairs, fellowships, centers for policy and areastudies, and other structures to support the work of established and


emerging Muslim and non-Muslim scholars of Islam. Postdoctoralfellowship programs in Islamic studies that are open to Americansof all religious backgrounds as well as fellowship programs for

young Muslim American scholars studying important public policyissues of all types are also needed. Enlarging the scope and impactof academic and policy initiatives will require the strong commit-ment of American universities, think tanks, government agencies,and philanthropists.

More collaboration between Muslim American institutions andestablished think tanks and research institutes would also strengthenMuslim American integration into the policy discourse. There are fewstrong links between Muslim American institutions and leaders andthink tanks and research institutes undertaking work related to Islamand Muslim communities. More joint efforts would help add newperspectives to the policy discussions of think tanks and researchinstitutes. It would also help Muslim American institutions buildtheir knowledge base by providing more exposure to policy analysis.

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Young Muslim Americans are also not as fully engaged as otherAmerican youth in U.S. political and civic life. Developing the lead-ership potential and professional skills of young Muslim Americansis crucial to creating an informed, seasoned, and capable groupof leaders who can contribute to the betterment of the nation as a

whole. Engaging young Muslim Americans in civic life is also a criti-cal factor in reducing the potential for alienation.

Making leadership development of young Muslim Americans a priority

Muslim American organizations could work with local, state, andfederal government agencies to create internship programs for

young Muslim Americans. Think tanks and universities based inWashington should be encouraged to create fellowship programsto increase understanding of the policy process. Muslim and non-Muslim institutions can also jointly sponsor speaking tours toencourage public service among young Muslim Americans.


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