In America, there is no Us and no Them, just an evolving We. Through our Muslims for American Progress (MAP) project, we provide an evidence-based portrait of a deeply misunderstood community. Your support will help us capture and tell the nuanced stories of American Muslims through rigorously researched data and photo narratives that reveal the contributions of American Muslims to the health, happiness, and well being of their fellow Americans.
It is commonly said that we fear what we don't understand. Living up to our American ideals requires us to understand our neighbors, our colleagues, and our friends despite our diverse backgrounds. Yet in recent years, Muslims in America have rarely been portrayed as nuanced and complex human beings, and the reality is that most Americans say they don't know a Muslim personally. Our MAP project allows us all to get to know American Muslims through stories of their everyday lives.
Doctors, engineers, artists, athletes, politicians, teachers, and entrepreneurs-Muslims contribute to the wellbeing of their fellow Americans every day. Through data and photo narratives, the MAP project aims to answer a variety of questions: How many jobs have Muslim business owners created? How many patients do Muslim doctors serve? How many constituents do Muslim politicians represent? The information we collect is then widely shared online and in presentations across the country.
The MAP project helps protect the rights of vulnerable Americans who are currently experiencing bigotry, bullying, and fear. The data and stories from the MAP project, shared with the general public, help to build bridges among communities. Additionally, policy makers, media professionals, advocates, activists, and community leaders can use the data and stories in their own important work. Through education, we aim to spark conversations that move us toward greater long-term understanding.
