Online Reading

• Freedom of Faith
  U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs. August 2008.
  The principle of religious freedom is a cherished right in the United States, one that has historical roots older than the formation of the nation itself. In the 21st century, the United States pulses with a unique cultural chemistry brought on by a wave of immigration which has brought followers of more diverse faiths to many communities.  This edition of eJournal USA examines how the nation adjusts to these demographic changes to remain true to the principles of freedom of faith.
  Full text available at: http://www.america.gov/publications/ejournalusa/0808.html 
   
    
• Muslim Life in America (English/Thai)
  U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs. October 2002.
  This pamphlet is a collection of stories, profiles, graphics, and more than 80 photographs that show Muslims living as part of mainstream American life. Features range from an account of how a Muslim community in Massachusetts built its own mosque, to a history of Muslim settlement in the United States, to the story of a popular young rap group that performs songs incorporating Muslim values.
  Full text available at:
  English: http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/muslimlife/
  Thai: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/muslimlife-t.pdf
  
  
  
• Shared Values, Shared Fate: Muslim Identity in the Global Age
  Muslim Networks Conference, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).  July 2007, 4 pages.
  This paper is a summary of a one-day conference held at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.  The conference brought together a broad range of scholars from a wide spectrum of disciplines, with expertise stretching around the globe.  The purpose of the conference was to better understand the forms of Muslim identity, how non-radical networks function, and how identities shape Muslims’ views.
  Full text available at: http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/muslim_networks_conference_summary.pdf 
  
  
  
• How Muslims Compare with Other Religious Americans: In Intensity of Religious Identity, Not Unlike Evangelicals
  Robert Ruby and Greg Smith. Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, Pew Research Center.  July 6, 2007.
  Muslim Americans represent a small minority in the U.S. (less than one percent of the country’s population); but in many ways, they stand out not for their differences but for their similarities with other religious groups.  This survey found that “with respect to the intensity of their religious beliefs, Muslim Americans most closely resemble white evangelicals and black Protestants.  Within all three groups, large majorities . . . say religion is ‘very important’ in their own lives.”  This survey also reflects that Muslim Americans have similar religious and political values of most other Americans.
  Full text available at:
  http://pewresearch.org/pubs/535/how-muslims-compare-with-other-religious-americans
  
  
  
• Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream
  Pew Research Center. May 22, 2007. 108 pages.
  The Pew Research Center conducted more than 55,000 interviews to obtain a national sample of 1,050 Muslims living in the United States. Interviews were conducted in English, Arabic, Farsi and Urdu. The resulting study, which draws on Pew's survey research among Muslims around the world, finds that Muslim Americans are a highly diverse population, one largely composed of immigrants. Nonetheless, they are decidedly American in their outlook, values and attitudes. This belief is reflected in Muslim American income and education levels, which generally mirror those of the public.
  Full text available at:
  http://pewresearch.org/assets/pdf/muslim-americans.pdf
  
  
  
• Strengthening America: The Civic and Political Integration of Muslim Americans: Report of the Task Force on Muslim American Civic and Political Engagement
  Task Force Series, Chicago Council on Global Affairs. 2007. 59 pages.
  The task force was convened in February 2006, and consisted of 32 Muslim and non-Muslim Americans.  The Task Force was charged with examining the Muslim American experience and providing a roadmap for accelerating Muslim Americans into civic affairs and political life. 
  Full text available at:
  http://www.thechicagocouncil.org/UserFiles/File/Task%20Force%20Reports/Strengthening%20America%20Report.pdf 
  
  
  
• The Diversity of Muslims in the United States: Views as Americans
  Qamar-ul Huda. United States Institute of Peace Special Report No. 159, February 2006, 20 pages.
  With the war against terrorism and an increased attention on the Muslim world, this report analyzes ways Muslims in the United States understand their roles as Americans in combating terrorism and their unique contributions toward conflict prevention and peacemaking. The assimilation and integration of American Muslims has effectively enabled the flourishing of dozens of national and regional organizations to work in areas of civil rights, human rights, interfaith dialogue, education, charity, public diplomacy, political activism, and other religious and secular activities. Despite the post 9/11 scrutiny of the Muslim community, American Muslim groups have devised sophisticated grassroots campaigns on counter-terrorism and anti-extremist ideology.
  Full text available at:
  http://www.usip.org/pubs/specialreports/sr159.pdf
  
  
  
• Arab and Muslim Civil Rights Issues in the Chicago Metropolitan Area Post-September 11
  The Illinois Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, May 2003.
  This report is a summary statement of the Illinois Advisory Committee’s review of “Arab and Muslim Civil Rights Issues in the Chicago Metropolitan Area Post-September 11” and includes observations. The Illinois Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights conducted a two-day community forum in Chicago in response to concerns Committee members had regarding testimony heard at a briefing held March 29, 2002. A community forum is an activity of a State Advisory Committee designed to elicit opinions and perspectives about civil rights matters in a local area. This report intends to be a useful gauge to monitor the attitudes and conditions regarding the Arab and Muslim communities in the Chicago metropolitan area..
  Full text available at:
  http://www.usccr.gov/pubs/sac/il0503/main.htm
  
  
  
• Arts of the Islamic World: A Teacher’s Guide
  Smithsonian Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. 2002. 91 pages.
  This book highlights three especially important categories of artistic expression: the art of the book, the art of the mosque, and the art of the portable object. Featured here are objects from the museum’s historic collection; therefore, the guide explores the history of Islam and not its contemporary manifestations. However, four interviews with practicing Muslims and an excerpt from a journal kept by a young woman during Ramadan have been included to lend a contemporary voice to this guide.
  Full text available at:
  http://www.asia.si.edu/education/islam.pdf

[Last update on September 10, 2008]