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About ISPU

ISPU provides objective research and education about American Muslims to support well-informed dialogue and decision-making.
Why We Exist​
What We Do
How We Do It
Our Story
Our Values​

Why We Exist

At the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), we envision an America where Muslims are thriving and equal. And we believe that relevant, rigorous research in the right hands will help us get there. Our work strengthens Muslim communities and equips those working toward full and equitable inclusion with solution-seeking research.

Learn about our impact

What We Do

Founded in 2002, ISPU has been at the forefront of discovering trends and opportunities that impact American Muslims for almost 20 years. We’re a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that builds understanding and strengthens communities by laying a foundation of facts. As the only organization of our kind, we’re the go-to source for anyone seeking information about Muslims in America and issues that impact them. We also share what we know in easily digestible ways with the general public, policymakers, media professionals, community leaders, and more. ISPU has offices both in Dearborn, Michigan, and Washington, D.C.
Meet our staff

How We Do It

DISCOVER
First, we discover new data through rigorous research. Our publications, including our American Muslim Poll, provide much-needed insight into issues impacting not just Americans who are Muslim but all of us.
Explore our publication library
EDUCATE
Next, we use what we learn to educate the general public and raise awareness. We reach millions of people every year through in-person and digital education events, exhibits, convenings, media coverage, and more.
See our events calendar
EQUIP

Finally, we provide resources for journalists, policymakers, community leaders, teachers, advocates, and others to use in their own work. Equipping others multiplies our impact as the data lives on in the work of those who catalyze change.

Explore our toolkits
“What really endears my heart to ISPU as an organization is the willingness to talk about these really complicated and nuanced dynamics in a very clear way. This clarity empowers us all to move towards open dialogue and meaningful action.”
DR. KAMEELAH MU’MIN OSEGUERA
DR. KAMEELAH MU’MIN OSEGUERAFounder and President, Muslim Wellness Foundation
“ISPU helps me understand the American Muslim community with a great deal of precision and rigor, which aids me in my own research and writing.”
DR. MOUSTAFA BAYOUMI
DR. MOUSTAFA BAYOUMIProfessor at Brooklyn College (CUNY) and writer
“In an age where misinformation and disinformation are rampant, having access to clear and convincing data is really a priceless tool to have at one’s disposal. Relying on and being able to present one’s strategy and arguments based on such well-researched and thought-out data [as ISPU’s] can really lead to some transformational wins.”
M. FAIYAZ HUSSAIN
M. FAIYAZ HUSSAINSenior Advisor for Strategy, Policy, and Programs, Muslim Public Affairs Council, ISPU Partner on Policy Work

Our Values

COLLABORATION

We actively seek to work with, not in competition against, others in the field.

ACTION

We conduct research to find solutions that are realistic and implementable.

RIGOR

Our research is objective, thorough, and evidence based.

RESPONSIVENESS

We conduct research on what is relevant now to American Muslim communities.

VISION

We continuously look for emerging challenges and opportunities.

EXCELLENCE

Quality and professionalism are key to all that we do.

OUR SUPPORTING PARTNERS

W.K.-Kellogg-Foundation
Pillars-Fund-2
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ISPU collaborates with a variety of organizations, scholars, and communities in pursuit of our mission. We aim to work with and learn from others in this space, while we maintain our independence as a research institution. ISPU staff, scholars, and speakers are solely responsible for their conclusions, and the opinions expressed are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of ISPU.