Institute for Social Policy and Understanding - ISPU

Institute for Social Policy and Understanding - ISPU ISPU provides objective research and education about issues that impact Muslims in the U.S.
(1)

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, strengthens communities, and protects pluralism by laying a foundation of actionable research. As the only organization of our kind, we’re the go-to source for anyone seeking information abou

t 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 staff hubs in both in Dearborn, Michigan, and Washington, D.C.

We're two weeks away from our summer event in New York City 🎊Join us and the Arts Administrators of Color Network for an...
06/01/2026

We're two weeks away from our summer event in New York City 🎊

Join us and the Arts Administrators of Color Network for an evening of research, storytelling, creative dialogue, and community connection exploring how portrayals in media shape public perception, policy, and democratic belonging.

Artists, cultural workers, educators, advocates, storytellers, and community members are all welcome!

📍 El Museo del Barrio (New York, NY)
🗓 Friday, June 12, 2026
⏰ 5:30–8:00 PM ET

RSVP: https://bit.ly/439Jx2f

As anti-Muslim hate continues to rise, mental health support for Muslim communities has never been more important.To hel...
05/29/2026

As anti-Muslim hate continues to rise, mental health support for Muslim communities has never been more important.

To help meet this need, ISPU has compiled key resources for mental health professionals, educators, and advocates across the U.S. to better support American Muslims with culturally responsive care.

Recommendations include:
➡️ Investing in religious literacy & cultural competency training
➡️ Expanding flexible, accessible mental health services

Learn how you can help support the health and well-being of American Muslim communities in ISPU’s latest report: https://bit.ly/4nYeMXx

✨ Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating today ✨May this season bring you deep rest, quiet comfort, and the kind of togeth...
05/27/2026

✨ Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating today ✨

May this season bring you deep rest, quiet comfort, and the kind of togetherness that carries us all forward.

We are so incredibly proud to honor the families and individuals who made our work possible this year. Because of your support, ISPU’s trusted research is being used to challenge misinformation and ensure Muslim voices and experiences are represented accurately.

Their contribution is a powerful investment in a brighter future for Muslim communities and a stronger America. We invite you to support this work so ISPU's research can continue to bring truth to light.

Donate today: https://bit.ly/4dOKl1m

Surveys about religious groups shape many stories about faith communities, but how are they designed?Join us and Religio...
05/26/2026

Surveys about religious groups shape many stories about faith communities, but how are they designed?

Join us and Religion News Association for “Faith by the Numbers,” a conversation with experts from the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations, Pew Research Center, Public Religion Research Institute, and NORC at the University of Chicago on how religion surveys are conducted and what journalists should know.

📅 June 3, 2026
🕐 12:30 PM ET

Register: https://bit.ly/4tVjff2

The media doesn’t just reflect public perception; it helps shape it. How Muslims are portrayed in TV and film directly i...
05/22/2026

The media doesn’t just reflect public perception; it helps shape it. How Muslims are portrayed in TV and film directly influences Americans’ beliefs, attitudes, and actions.

ISPU's Stereotypes on Screen study shows that positive portrayals of Muslims can increase opposition to harmful anti-democratic policies that impact all Americans, regardless of faith.

Better representation leads to better understanding. Learn how nuanced media portrayals can create stronger, more inclusive communities.

Read the full study: https://bit.ly/4utJYR6

Three key ISPU data points to inform understanding after the killing of three people at the Islamic Center of San Diego ...
05/19/2026

Three key ISPU data points to inform understanding after the killing of three people at the Islamic Center of San Diego yesterday:

➡️ Islamophobia has risen sharply since we last measured in 2022, including almost all faith groups, white and Hispanic Americans, and even young people in the general public.

➡️ A majority of mosque leaders say they’re concerned about security when their community gathers, with more than a quarter saying they're very concerned.

➡️ Muslims report facing the highest level of religious discrimination of any faith group in the U.S., and that level has remained steady since ISPU began measuring it in 2016.

These trends are not abstract statistics; they are warning signs. Anti-Muslim attitudes do real harm, and understanding the facts is the first step in combatting them. More: https://bit.ly/49al8gs

The recent shooting at San Diego’s largest mosque is a reminder of the rise of Islamophobia in the United States and its...
05/19/2026

The recent shooting at San Diego’s largest mosque is a reminder of the rise of Islamophobia in the United States and its tragic consequences. Acts of violence don't occur in isolation–they are shaped by a broader climate of anti-Muslim rhetoric, which often intensifies during election seasons. As ISPU’s Director of Research Saher Selod, PhD, says, “Bigotry does more than harm society—it kills.”

ISPU data shows that among every group measured including Catholics, Protestants, white Evangelicals, Jews, and the general population, Islamophobia has risen sharply since 2022.

The rise in anti-Muslim hate continues to affect Muslim communities across the country. ISPU remains committed to producing research that informs, supports, and advances a society where Muslims can live safely.

Join ISPU and the Arts Administrators of Color Network in New York City, Friday, June 12. Together, we’ll explore how ha...
05/18/2026

Join ISPU and the Arts Administrators of Color Network in New York City, Friday, June 12.

Together, we’ll explore how harmful narratives aimed at American Muslims impact communities of color, and how arts and culture can help build equity, belonging, and solidarity.

Artists, cultural workers, educators, advocates, and anyone invested in the power of storytelling are invited to join the conversation.

Don't miss it:
🗓️ Friday, June 12
⏰ 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM ET
📍 El Museo del Barrio (New York City)

RSVP: https://bit.ly/4nHsVIQ

Among religious groups, Muslims are among the least likely to have ever visited a mental health professional. This is of...
05/16/2026

Among religious groups, Muslims are among the least likely to have ever visited a mental health professional. This is often linked to barriers such as limited access to mental health services and a lack of culturally responsive care.

Despite this, there is positive change. The proportion of Muslims who have ever visited a mental health professional has increased in recent years, rising from 25% in 2019 to 32% in 2025.

To continue supporting this positive trend, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and local faith leaders can work together to improve awareness of available resources and strengthen pathways to care within communities.

To learn more, visit: https://bit.ly/4u9lSL7

Mental health care should be accessible for everyone, including Muslim communities.Based on the findings of ISPU's lates...
05/15/2026

Mental health care should be accessible for everyone, including Muslim communities.

Based on the findings of ISPU's latest mental health report, we encourage healthcare systems to understand and address barriers that prevent adequate care for American Muslims. These include cultural stigma, lack of religious and culturally competent providers, language barriers, and affordability concerns.

By assessing these challenges within American Muslim communities, healthcare organizations can develop strategies to improve access to services that meet community needs.

Read the full report: https://bit.ly/4tDeNBG

Address

3200 Greenfield Road, Suite 300
Dearborn, MI
48120

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Institute for Social Policy and Understanding - ISPU posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category