Snapshot of an American Muslim
An estimated 2.35 million Muslims call the United States home. While 65% are foreign-born, they are "decidedly American in their outlook," according to the latest report by the Pew Research Center as quoted in the July 30, 2007 issue of Newsweek. Click here to read the entire article.
Here's a snapshot of the average Muslim in America:
Here's a snapshot of the average Muslim in America:
54% are male
56% are age 18-39
47% have at least some college education
35% earn less than $30,000
50% are Sunni
56% are moderately committed to their faith
While 63% of Americans do not believe that US Muslims condone violence, 52% think the FBI should be allowed to wiretap mosques. And 52% also felt that Muslims living in foreign countries are more violent than those living in America.
Generally, older Americans were more suspicious of Muslims and younger generations more tolerant. When asked whether they thought the US allows too many immigrants from Muslim countries, those responding "yes" were as follows:
58% age 60+
49% age 40-59
32% age 18-39
Many US Muslims were born here, others immigrated to the US, but all have the same hopes for their children and are pursuing the same dreams as their neighbors. It is the feeling of suspicion they feel as they walk down the street and go about their daily business that separates them from their fellow countrymen.
One American Muslim raising his family in Ohio said he thinks anti-Muslim sentiment is growing worse in the US. "I'm not so much worried about myself," he told Newsweek. "It's the young people I'm concerned with. Those are the people we need to try -- not only as Muslims but as Americans -- to make them feel part of America. If you alienate the Muslim young people from America, that is dangerous."
Alienation is often the first step toward violence, as we have seen at Columbine and Virginia Tech. By alienating Muslim youth in America we push them into the outstretched arms of extremists offering them acceptance while fanning their alienation into hatred.
America has always been a melting pot of cultures, people and ideas. Muslims are one of several newer groups adding to the spice and richness of our society. Throughout our nation's history we have at first feared and then embraced the new and different. Perhaps the best way to distill the threat of radical Islam in America is by embracing and welcoming our Muslim citizens.
