Blue geometric logo next to the text “Institute for Social Policy & Understanding” in blue font on a white background.
Donate
Accessibility
A woman in a patterned jacket and red headscarf speaks into a microphone in a church with arched architecture. An American flag and a cross are visible in the background.
A woman in a patterned jacket and red headscarf speaks into a microphone in a church with arched architecture. An American flag and a cross are visible in the background.

Perceptions of American Muslims and Islam Among Black Christians:

Findings, Recommendations, and Implications for Interfaith Engagement

Biography

A joint study by ISPU and the Muslim Wellness Foundation explores how Black Christians in the U.S. understand and relate to American Muslims—particularly Black Muslims. Through focus groups and interviews, the research uncovers how media, church teachings, and personal experiences shape these perceptions. It also highlights the role of race, religion, and community in interfaith dynamics. This research opens up new conversations about identity, connection, and the complexities of building bridges between communities.

 

EXPLORE THE RESEARCH BRIEF
EXPLORE THE ISLAMOPHOBIA INDEX PARADOX

Partner Organizations

This research was conducted and is published in partnership with the Muslim Wellness Foundation.

Logo of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), featuring overlapping diamond shapes above the organization’s name in white text on a dark blue background.

The logo for Muslim Wellness Foundation features a stylized purple line drawing above the organization’s name, which is written in uppercase purple letters on a white background.

Videos

ISPU and the Muslim Wellness Foundation gathered community members and faith leaders at Grant AME Church Chicago for an interactive workshop on fostering better understanding and relationships between Black Christians and Muslims.

Videos

DREAM of Detroit hosted the Black Religion and Community Unification Summit in April 2024. This summit exemplifies how this research has and can be utilized to foster dialogue and critical listening cross divides.

 

Videos

This fireside chat features former ISPU Executive Director Meira Neggaz joined by guests Dr. Kameelah Mu’Min Rashad (ISPU Scholar) and Erum Ikramullah (ISPU Research Project Manager). This opportunity for a behind-the-scenes sneak peek covered brand new research on interfaith dynamics within Black/African American communities.

 

A close-up of a church pew with blurred stained glass in the background. Text reads: Exploring Black Christian views of American Muslims. Logos for Muslim Wellness Foundation and ISPU appear in the corners.
Black Religion and Community Unification summit PowerPoint
Keynote presentation given by Dr. Kameelah Mu’Min Oseguera at the Black Religion and Community Unification summit in April 2024.

Research Team

Kameelah Mu’Min Oseguera, PsyD
Primary Investigator

Rev. Kentina Washington-Leapheart
Moderator

Nicole Steward-Streng
Report Author

Faduma Warsame
Research Assistant

Saher Selod, PhD
Director of Research, ISPU

Erum Ikramullah
Research Project Manager, ISPU

Communications Team

Katherine Coplen
Director of Communications, ISPU

Bushra Aljaber
Creative Communications Specialist, ISPU

Advisors

Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart, M.Div
Strategic Partnerships Director, Political Research Associates
Adjunct Faculty, Arcadia University
Adjunct Faculty, Villanova University

Dr. H. Jean Wright II, PsyD
Executive Deputy Commissioner, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City

Dr. Sabrina Dent, DMin
Director, BJC Center for Faith, Justice and Reconciliation

Rev. Brian Smith, DMin
Directory of Community Relations and Strategic Partnerships, Chicago Theological Seminary