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How have American Muslims contributed to U.S. society in science, arts, business, civil rights, and culture, focusing on key innovators, leaders, and public figures?
Sports
Belal Muhammad Becomes First Fighter of Palestinian Origin to Win UFC Title
Al Jazeera (2024)
This article highlights Belal Muhammad's historic UFC championship victory and his role as a prominent Palestinian American athlete. It also discusses how he has used his platform to speak publicly about issues affecting Palestinians around the world.
This Muslim Basketball Player Refused to Take Off Her Hijab, Opening New Doors for Athletes of Other Faiths
Elassar (2020)
This article tells the story of Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir and her efforts to challenge international rules that prevented athletes from competing while wearing religious head coverings. Her advocacy helped expand opportunities for Muslim women in sports.
Muslim Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad Set to Make U.S. Olympic History in Rio
Martin (2016)
This article profiles Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first Muslim American woman to compete for Team USA while wearing a hijab. Her success helped increase the visibility of Muslim women in athletics and public life.
Historical Figures
Islam and Black America: The Religious Life of Malcolm X
Ahmed (2020)
This article traces Malcolm X's religious journey from the Nation of Islam to Sunni Islam and examines the role faith played in shaping his worldview. It offers insight into one of the most influential Muslim figures in American history.
Ahmet Ertegun: America's Greatest Music Man
Hoover (2021)
This article explores the life of Ahmet Ertegun, the Turkish American founder of Atlantic Records. Through his work in the music industry, Ertegun helped shape the careers of some of the most influential artists of the twentieth century.
Technology & Entrepreneurship
Shahed Amanullah
Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
This profile highlights the work of entrepreneur and philanthropist Shahed Amanullah, founder of Zabihah and Altmuslim. His projects have helped connect Muslim communities while creating new spaces for Muslim voices online.
The CEO of a $15 Billion AI Company Says the Biggest AI Winners Won't Be Software, They'll Be Mines, Farms, and Trucks
Ming (2026)
This article profiles Qasar Younis, the CEO of Applied Intuition and a leading figure in the artificial intelligence industry. It highlights his perspective on how AI is reshaping major sectors of the economy beyond traditional technology companies.
Afghan Entrepreneur Is Behind One of Maryland's Most Successful Technology Startups
American Immigration Council (2017)
This article tells the story of Haroon Mokhtarzada, an Afghan American entrepreneur who helped create Webs and Rocket Money. His work has influenced how millions of people build websites and manage their personal finances.
Political & Public Leadership
Zohran Mamdani Officially Sworn In on a Quran Full of Symbolism
Riddle (2026)
This article examines the historic election of Zohran Mamdani and the role faith has played in his public life. It highlights the growing presence of Muslim voices in American politics and public leadership.
How Ilhan Omar Symbolises the Struggle of Black American Muslims
Chan-Malik (2019)
This article explores the significance of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's rise to national office and the challenges she has faced as a Black Muslim woman in public life. It places her story within broader conversations about representation, race, and religious identity in America.
MSNBC's Mehdi Hasan Quits Rather Than Accept Demotion at News Network
David (2024)
This article discusses journalist Mehdi Hasan's departure from MSNBC and the launch of his independent media platform, Zeteo. It highlights Hasan's influence as a prominent Muslim voice in American journalism and political commentary.
26-Year-Old Is One of First Gen Z Women to Hold Public Office in the U.S.
Smith (2024)
This article profiles Bushra Amiwala, one of the youngest Muslim women elected to public office in the United States. It highlights her work in education, civic engagement, and efforts to increase awareness of Muslim contributions to American society.
Arts & Culture
Check out CME-US's newly launched Community Creative Voices initiative
Sarah Elawad Built a Fashion Brand From Morning Texts
Jensen (2026)
This profile explores the work of Sudanese American artist and designer Sarah Elawad. Drawing inspiration from everyday digital culture and family connections, her work reflects the creativity and diversity of contemporary Muslim American life.
The Enthralling World of Vocalist and Composer Arooj Aftab
Gilbert (2025)
This profile introduces Grammy Award-winning musician Arooj Aftab and her distinctive blend of jazz and South Asian musical traditions. Her work has helped bring new audiences to sounds and stories rooted in the Muslim world.
What are the unique experiences and challenges of diverse American Muslim subgroups, like Black Muslims, converts, women, and recent immigrants?
Muslim Women
Muslim Women in America: The Challenge of Islamic Identity Today
Haddad, Smith & Moore (2006)
This book examines the experiences of Muslim women in the United States, particularly in the years following 9/11. It addresses common stereotypes while exploring questions of faith, family, identity, and belonging in American society.
Muslim Women in America: Challenges and Politics of Diversity Within the American Muslim Community
Rashid (2017)
Drawing on interviews with young Muslim women, this article explores how they navigate faith, identity, and community in contemporary America. It highlights the different ways Muslim women understand religious practice, including the role of hijab in their daily lives.
Black Muslims
Black Twice: Policing Black Muslim Identities
Mauleon (2018)
This article examines the experiences of Black Muslims at the intersection of race and religion. It explores how Black Muslim communities have been affected by surveillance, policing, and shifting ideas about race and belonging in the United States.
Constructing Masculinity: Interactions between Islam and African-American Youth Since C. Eric Lincoln, The Black Muslims in America
Turner (2007)
This article explores the relationship between Islam, identity, and culture among African American youth. It highlights the influence of Islam on hip-hop, community building, and the ways young Black men have used faith to shape their understanding of manhood and social responsibility.
“My Islam Be Black”: Resisting Erasure, Silence, and Marginality at the Intersection of Race and Religion
Abdalla (2023)
This article examines how Black Muslims navigate both anti-Black racism and Islamophobia. It argues that Black Muslim voices are often overlooked within broader conversations about Islam in America and calls greater attention to their experiences and contributions.
Converts
The Racialization of American Muslim Converts by the Presence of Religious Markers
Casey (2021)
This article examines how Muslim converts are perceived when they display visible signs of their faith, such as wearing a hijab or kufi. It explores how these religious markers can change the way converts experience race, identity, and belonging in American society.
White Duality: The (Dis)Advantage of Being a White Convert in the Muslim American Community
Casey (2021)
This article explores the experiences of White converts within Muslim communities in the United States. It discusses questions of acceptance, trust, and identity, while highlighting the unique challenges converts may face as they navigate both Muslim and non-Muslim spaces.
Zeal of the Convert? Comparing Religiousness Between Convert and Nonconvert Muslims
Snook, Branum-Martin & Horgan (2022)
This study examines the common assumption that converts are more religiously zealous than those raised Muslim. Drawing on survey data, the authors find that converts and nonconverts often experience and express their faith in more similar ways than stereotypes suggest.
Immigrants
Colorblind Islam: The Racial Hinges of Immigrant Muslims in the United States
Guhin (2018)
This article examines how immigrant Muslims navigate race and identity in the United States. It explores how many Muslim immigrants occupy an uncertain place within America's racial landscape and how religion can shape the way they are perceived by others.
The Muslim Ban and Preterm Birth: Analysis of U.S. Vital Statistics Data from 2009 to 2018
Samari, Catalano, Alacala & Gemmill (2020)
This study investigates the health impacts of policies targeting Muslim-majority countries, including the Trump administration's travel ban. The findings suggest that discrimination and political hostility can have measurable effects on the well-being of immigrant communities.
Why has Islamophobia increased recently? What do current reports say about discrimination trends? How are Muslims responding to this effectively?
Inventing Terrorists: The Nexus of Intelligence and Islamophobia
Marusek (2018)
This article examines how Islamophobia became embedded within government policies, security practices, and public discourse after 9/11. Through a series of case studies, it explores the ways Muslim charities, community leaders, and ordinary Muslims have been affected by suspicion and surveillance.
Countering Islamophobia in North America: A Quality-of-Life Approach
El-Aswad (2021)
This book explores the causes and consequences of Islamophobia in North America and considers ways communities, institutions, and policymakers can respond to it. It provides a broad overview of the challenges Muslims face while highlighting practical approaches to building understanding and reducing prejudice.
How do Muslim youth in schools and universities handle identity challenges, bullying, mental health, and religious accommodations, and what are some success stories?
A Qualitative Exploration of Muslim American College Students' Experiences of Discrimination and Coping
Colgan, Tummala-Narra, Shah, Fatima, Sabet & Khosla (2025)
This study examines how Muslim American college students respond to discrimination and navigate challenges on campus. It highlights the different strategies students use to cope, including community involvement, peer support, and engagement with Muslim student organizations.
A Certain Shade of Unique: Experiences of Muslim-American Students at Public High Schools in the United States
Ermis-Demirtas, Wiley, Luo & Chang (2025)
This article explores the experiences of Muslim students in American public high schools. While many students reported facing bullying or misunderstandings about their faith, they also described supportive teachers, classmates, and school communities that helped them succeed.
Reconsidering Campus Diversity: An Examination of Muslim Students' Experiences
Cole & Ahmadi (2010)
This study compares the experiences of Muslim college students with those of students from other religious backgrounds. It finds that Muslim students are often highly engaged in campus life and peer support activities, even when they report feeling less satisfied with their overall university experience.
Discrimination and Mental Health Outcomes Among 1.5- and 2nd-Generation Muslim College Students
Hailes & Tummala-Narra (2024)
This article examines the relationship between discrimination, identity, and mental health among Muslim college students. It finds that strong community connections and a positive sense of identity can help students navigate the effects of prejudice and exclusion.
Muslim Students in K–12 Experiencing Their Faith in the U.S. Schools (Doctoral Dissertation, Syracuse University)
Al-Dubai, Abdulilah M. (2025)
This qualitative study centers the voices of Muslim students in Central New York as they navigate their faith within K–12 public schools. Grounded in Critical Race Theory, the research examines challenges related to prayer, Ramadan, dress, representation, and belonging, while offering practical recommendations for educators and district leaders seeking to build more equitable and supportive school environments.
The Experiences of Students with Concealable Muslim Identities During Peer Interactions in Undergraduate Biology Courses
Edwards, Granados, Mohammed, Aini, Cooper, Barnes & Brownell (2025)
This study explores how undergraduate biology students with concealable Muslim identities experience peer interactions, highlighting how perceived stigma and classroom culture influence how and whether students share their religious identities. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of identity, belonging, and inclusion in biology education.
Toward Culturally Responsive Mentoring of Muslim Research Mentees in the Sciences
Mohammed, Aini, Barnes & Cooper (2024)
This essay discusses culturally responsive mentoring practices tailored to Muslim research mentees in STEM, offering insights and strategies for mentors to better support students whose religious culture may differ from the dominant norms in scientific research environments.
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