American Muslims

A new pamphlet, What is the Truth about American Muslims? Questions and Answers, is available for download.

This new resource is an attempt to provide accurate information about American Muslims; clear up misconceptions; delve into the law of religious freedom; explain the history of American Muslims in the United States, and explain misunderstood terms and practices, including Jihad and Shariah.

The pamphlet was written by Dr. Charles Haynes (First Amendment Center), Dr. Hussein Rashid (Hofstra University) , and playwright Wajahat Ali, with suggestions, input, edits and revisions by several scholars, experts and faith leaders. It was organized and produced by the Interfaith Alliance and the Religious Freedom Education Project of the First Amendment Center.

Excerpt from the Introduction

By seeking to provide accurate information about religious freedom and American Muslims, this publication does not ignore or minimize the significant threat posed by extremists who promote and commit acts of violence in the name of Islam. We fully recognize the challenge to peace and justice posed by small factions within Islam who lift up extremist theology and pervert their faith to support their violence. All of the world’s major religions have faced similar challenges. But acts of violence
by radical individuals and groups must not be used to condemn Islam itself – or to paint all Muslims with the brush of extremism.

In addition to the Interfaith Alliance and the Religious Freedom Education Project, the endorsing organizations include: African American Ministers Leadership Council, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, Islamic Networks Group, Islamic Society of North America, Muslim Public Affairs Council, National Religious Campaign Against Torture, New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good, People for the American Way Foundation, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Queens Federation of Churches, Rabbis for Human Rights-North America, Secular Coalition for America, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Sikh Coalition, Sojourners, Southern Poverty Law Center, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society. For More Information about the Online Booklet Contact: agingold@interfaithalliance.org

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VIDEO CLIPS FROM SCHOLARS ON ATTITUDES TOWARD AMERICAN MUSLIMS, ISLAMOPHOBIA

*We will be adding to this list, check back for more. Also visit our Duke Islamic Studies Center YouTube page http://www.youtube.com/DukeDisc for more videos)