On September 11, 2001, airliners hijacked by members of the Islamic faith crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. Thousands died. Now, some members of that same religious faith have proposed building a mosque several blocks from where the towers stood. Many people oppose this project as offensive or in bad taste. The controversy has naturally led many people to inquire about the history of Islam in the United States and to ask other questions about Muslims in that country. Because recent events have led to increased interest in this topic, this article attempts to answer in a clear and concise manner some questions about Muslims in the United States, now and in the past.
When did Muslims first come to America?
Muslims were almost certainly among the African slaves brought to America. That means Muslims may have been in America as early as the 1500s. However, by 1860, the religion among black American slaves seems to have died out.
How Many Muslims live in the United States now?
Estimates vary widely from about 2 million to 10 million or so. A 2008 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life puts the number at 2.5 million.
According to that survey, 0.6 percent of adults in America are Muslim. By comparison, Christians account for 78.4%, Jews 1.7%, and Buddhists 0.7% of the American adult population. Over 16% of Americans are unaffiliated with any religion.
Is the Muslim Population Growing or Shrinking?
It is certainly growing. It grew from almost nothing in the decades after the Civil War as thousands of Muslims came to the United States from such regions as the Middle East and South Asia. Then tougher immigration laws in 1924 choked off much Muslim immigration for four decades. Still, by 1965, there were as many as 150,000 Muslims in America.
An influx of Muslim immigration, thanks to looser immigration laws as well as conversions, account for the growth since 1965.
Where in the United States are Muslims Concentrated?
The five states with the highest concentration of Muslims are New York, Illinois, California, Indiana, and Virginia.
Where Do American Muslims Come From?
About 35% are native-born Americans, about 24% come from the Arab region, and about 18% are from Pakistan or elsewhere in South Asia.
What Percentage of American Muslims are Converts to Islam?
Almost one in four Muslims in America (23%) is a convert, most from a Protestant Christian faith. Most of the converts are African American and almost all were born in the United States.
Where is the Oldest Mosque in the United States?
The first permanent structure built specifically to serve as a mosque is in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was built in 1934 and served as a mosque for forty years. It was then sold after a larger mosque was built. In 1990, the building was restored as a Muslim cultural center and is known as the Mother Mosque of America.
What is the Largest Mosque in the United States?
The largest mosque in the United States seems to be Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Michigan. Completed in 2005, this two-story structure is big enough to accommodate 1,000 people in the main prayer hall and 2,000 in the banquet hall.
How Many Mosques Are There in the United States?
According to a 2001 survey, there were 1,209 at that time. California had the most with 227. At the time the survey was conducted, every state had at least one mosque.
What ethnicity are Muslims in America?
In 28% of American Mosques, South Asians are the dominant ethnic group. In 27%, African Americans are the dominant ethnic group. Arabs dominate in 15% of mosques.
What is the gender distribution of Muslims in America?
Most Muslims in the United States are men. Data show that about 54 out of every 100 Muslims in the United States are males.
What percentage of American Muslims are United States citizens?
About 77% of Muslims in the United States are citizens. Of foreign-born Muslims, 65% are citizens.
Islam Small, Well-Established Religion in the United States
So, while the history of Islam in America goes back a long time, the number of Muslims in the United States remain small compared to the number of Christians. Most followers of Islam in America are citizens, male, and foreign-born.
Sources:
Allied Media Corp. “ Muslim American Market."
"Being Muslim in America." Bureau of International Information Services, United States Department of States.
Durán, Khalid and Pipes, Daniel. "Muslim Immigrants in the United States." August 2002. Center for Immigration Studies, Washington, D.C.
"The Mother Mosque of America: Islamic Cultural and Heritage Center."
Numan, Fareed. "The Muslim Population in the United States." Islam101.
The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream.
The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. U.S. Religious Landscape Survey.
Sterrett, Brittany. "Detroit Islamic Center Opens Largest Mosque in United States." June 2, 2005. America.gov, Washington File, Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.
Brian Deming - Brian Deming has a master’s degree in American history from Northwestern University. He has taught U.S. history and media history at ...
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