Muslim Lives in Global Phoenix
ASU students narrating local Muslim lives
Supported by AZ Humanities and ASU’s Dean of Humanities Office, CLAS, three Fellows used oral history methods to document the Muslim Experience in the Phoenix Valley.
As part of the AZ Humanities-funded project Muslims and Global Phoenix, and with support from the Office of the Dean of Humanities, we have facilitated research projects on Muslim community life in the Phoenix Valley. Three Fellows contributed to this effort: Simra Maheen and Omera Ali, both undergraduate students, and Najim Asefi, CME-US’ 2023-2024 Resident Research Fellow. Their research focused on distinct yet significant aspects of the Muslim community in Phoenix: Muslim-owned businesses, Muslim student belonging at ASU, and Afghan refugees.
- Omera Ali investigated how Muslim students at ASU find their sense of belonging and purpose on campus.
- Najim Asefi examined the lives of Afghan refugees in the Phoenix Valley and the challenges they face in resettling in the U.S.
- Simra Maheen aimed to highlight the experiences of Muslim business owners in the Valley.
CME-US organized a student panel where these Fellows presented their findings. We hope that this research will help CLAS and ASU gain a deeper understanding of the local Muslim community and enhance their engagement with it in the future.
Simra Maheen, a junior studying Psychology and Religious Studies, researched the contributions of Muslim businesses in the Phoenix Valley.
Omera Ali, a junior studying Biological Sciences, investigated the extracurricular experiences for Muslim students at ASU.
