Who are Illinois Muslims, and what are their assets and needs? What opportunities exist for leaders, officials, volunteers, policymakers, corporations, media members, and social/civic/philanthropic organizations on how best to understand and support the Muslim community in Illinois?
This report presents an empirical assessment of the strengths and struggles of the Illinois Muslim community, with a comparison to the Illinois general public.
This report presents an empirical assessment of the strengths and struggles of the Illinois Muslim community based on nearly 1,800 completed surveys collected from October 15, 2021 to January 31, 2022, with a comparison to the Illinois general public, and four focus groups with Illinois Muslims held between March 22 and March 25. The focus groups consisted of two with Muslim respondents of any age, race or ethnicity, one with African American Muslims only, and one with young adults aged 18-29. The topics examined, in both the survey and focus groups, were curated with community stakeholder input to reflect the priorities of those impacted.
This report is the product of three years of tireless effort by Illinois leaders and researchers to define, fund, and execute this historic study. This research was convened by the IL Muslim Civic Coalition and partners and conducted by the Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement at the University of Illinois Chicago (IPCE) and the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU). The results of this research can help guide leaders, officials, volunteers, policymakers, corporations, and social/civic organizations on how best to understand and support Muslim communities in Illinois. This report has deep implications across the nation.
This research was convened by the IL Muslim Civic Coalition and partners and conducted by the Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement at the University of Illinois Chicago (IPCE) and the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU).
The Muslim Civic Coalition is a partnership of Activists, Influencers, and Organizations. The Coalition convenes, collaborates, and amplifies social and civic efforts with diverse and underrepresented races, faiths, and communities. We do this critical work through integrated initiatives that drive us towards Equity and Civic Justice.
ISPU provides objective research and education about American Muslims to support well-informed dialogue and decision-making. Our research aims to educate the general public and enable community change agents, the media, and policymakers to make evidence-based decisions.
IPCE focuses on transforming democracy by creating a more fully engaged community with more effective leaders. As a catalyst for learning and action, the Institute creates opportunities for scholars, students, community members and government officials to actively participate in social discourse, research, and educational programs on policy issues and social trends.
We would like to acknowledge our generous supporters whose contributions made this report possible, including:
Sponsoring organizations include: IL Muslim Civic Coalition, The Field Foundation, Bank of America, Waraich Family Fund, Pillars Fund, Affinity Health, MAC Corporation, The Chicago Cubs, Zakat Foundation of America, Movement Voter Project, Tides Foundation, Zakat Chicago, The Mecca Center
Sponsoring families and individual include: Mazen Asbahi and Lena Shahbandar, Kamran Family, Imad and Linda Kamran, Zaher Sahloul and Suzanne Akhras, Sayeed and Alimuddin Family, Mohammad Shamim Mozaffar Fund, Safaa Zarzour and Family
Survey translations were generously provided by Saduddin Noorani, Interpreter.
Thank you to the Illinois Muslims Report Task Force members , who were key to this historic report. Special thanks to the IL Muslim Civic Coalition board members and community leaders who provided input and great support throughout the process. Finally, thank you to all the partners and allies who shared the survey and recruitment notices, as well as those who participated in the research.
Click here to download all 44 graphs.
These videos, recorded by ISPU Director of Research, Dalia Mogahed, cover key topics and data points from the report, including healthcare, mental health, discrimination, and strengths. The full playlist can be viewed here.
Dalia Mogahed
Report Co-Author
Director of Research, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Dr. Joseph Hoereth
Co-Principal Investigator, Report Co-Author
Director, Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement, University of Illinois Chicago
Umair Tarbhai
Co-Principal Investigator
Research Associate, Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement, University of Illinois Chicago
Ojus Khanolkar
Report Co-Author
Research Associate, Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement, University of Illinois Chicago
Roy Rothschild
Research Associate, Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement, University of Illinois Chicago
Erum Ikramullah
Research Project Manager, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Dr. Dilara Sayeed
President, Strategy and Partnerships
Reema Kamran
President, Operations
Deena Habbal
Communications and Operations
Katherine Coplen
Director of Communications, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Rebecka Green
Communications and Creative Media Specialist, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Caroline Welford
Public Relations/Media, C Strategies, IL Muslim Civic Coalition
Dr. Hatem Bazian
Professor and Senior Lecturer, University of California, Berkeley
