Institute for Social Policy and Understanding - ISPU

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Institute for Social Policy and Understanding - ISPU

ISPU provides objective research and education about issues that impact Muslims in the U.S.
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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.

06/23/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Rewriting the Script in New York City earlier this month.

We spent an amazing evening sharing insights from our Stereotypes on Screen report and engaging in conversations about the importance of moving beyond harmful stereotypes toward more nuanced, authentic portrayals of Muslims in popular media and beyond.

We're grateful to our partners and everyone who contributed by elevating diverse Muslim voices and stories.

To stay informed about upcoming ISPU research and conversations, subscribe to our newsletter.

https://hubs.ly/Q04m4Ycw0

Photos by //

06/22/2026

For journalists, taking time to understand religious complexity is essential to accurate reporting.

Religious identity is not monolithic. It is shaped by culture, geography, politics, and lived experience within and across communities. When reporting doesn’t reflect that diversity, it risks reinforcing stereotypes and missing important context.

Featuring speakers from Pew Research Center, PRRI, Hartford Institute for Religion, and AmeriSpeak and NORC, our latest webinar with Religion News Association explores how data and research can help journalists better understand religious communities and report on them with greater depth and accuracy.

Watch here:
https://hubs.ly/Q04m4TDH0

06/19/2026

Faith plays a significant role in the lives of many Black Americans, yet understanding faith within communities can remain limited.

This Juneteenth, explore a new analysis by ISPU and Muslim Wellness Foundation, Inc. Dr. Kameelah Mu’Min Oseguera that examines what we’re calling the Islamophobia Index Paradox.

ISPU’s data reveals a complex picture: Black Americans scored highest on the Islamophobia Index, yet 35% of Black Christian respondents reported favorable views of Muslims, while 51% reported having no opinion at all.

While personal familiarity is often thought to reduce prejudice, the analysis found that among Black Christians, perceptions of Islam sometimes coexisted with suspicion, fear, or theological dismissal.

For more information, read the full analysis:
https://hubs.li/Q04lYwmC0

06/18/2026

ISPU research finds that young adult Muslims (18-29) report lower levels of mental well-being compared to older Muslims. These differences are not isolated; they reflect broader patterns that can be shaped by social environment, life stage, and access to care.

Given that American Muslims are among the most ethnically and racially diverse faith communities in the United States, these findings highlight the need for culturally responsive mental health services and supports that are accessible, affirming, and attentive to the needs within communities.

To learn more, explore ISPU’s research on mental health in American Muslim communities. https://hubs.ly/Q04lSZH10

06/16/2026

According to research from ISPU's American Muslim Poll 2025, 53% American Muslims describe their political views as moderate.

This places Muslims alongside Catholics (50%) and those with no religious affiliation (49%) as the most likely religious groups in the US to identify as politically moderate.

As one of the most diverse faith communities in the country, these findings challenge the perception that religious communities are politically polarized or ideologically uniform. Instead, the data suggests that many Muslim Americans bring a wide range of political perspectives to civic life.

📌 Save this post for later and share it to help promote data-driven conversations.

06/11/2026

How do portrayals of Muslims in film and TV shape public attitudes and public policy?

New ISPU research reveals that stereotypes in the media can fuel perceptions of threat, increase support for surveillance, and undermine civil liberties.

In this episode of Deep Dives with ISPU, Dr. Sohad Murrar and ISPU's Saher Selod, PhD explore the real-world impact of representation and why more nuanced portrayals matter for democracy and society. Listen now. https://hubs.li/Q04l5XB90

06/09/2026

America’s mosques are far more than places of worship; they serve as civic, educational, and community institutions.

Yet, due to rising rates of Islamophobia, a majority of mosque leaders express concerns about the safety and security of their congregations. According to ISPU's mosque survey, 35% of mosques report significant resistance when attempting to build, expand, or relocate.

Despite these challenges, mosques continue to provide critical services, support families, and strengthen their communities.

Read more findings from ISPU’s Mosque Survey: https://bit.ly/4vD05f5

06/05/2026

📅 One week until Rewriting the Script!

Next Friday, June 12, we're bringing together artists, educators, and changemakers to explore how arts and culture can reshape public narratives toward equity, belonging, and collective liberation.

There's still time to secure your tickets!

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

Register today: https://bit.ly/4xbDnMM

06/04/2026

When Muslim communities lack access to culturally- and religiously-based substance use and addiction services, critical gaps in care can emerge.

During our webinar, Culturally Grounded Care, Dr. Salman Abdul-Majeed discussed the impact of addressing these gaps. Alongside a panel of experts, they explored key findings from ISPU’s Substance Abuse and Addiction Report, conducted in partnership with the Muslim Mental Health & Islamic Psychology Lab at Stanford Medicine.

🎥 Watch the full webinar on our YouTube channel for insights on building more effective, culturally responsive support systems.

Watch now: https://bit.ly/3RPd6DZ

06/03/2026

Where do American Muslims fall on the political spectrum?

In ISPU’s American Muslim Poll 2025, we asked respondents whether they consider themselves liberal, moderate, or conservative. The findings show that American Muslims are more likely than the general public to identify as liberal or moderate.

Yet, as one of the most diverse faith communities in the U.S., Muslims bring a wide range of priorities to the ballot box. Their political views and voting decisions are shaped by many factors, including economic issues, foreign policy, civil rights, and concerns affecting their local communities.

Uncover more insights from ISPU’s American Muslim Poll 2025: https://bit.ly/3PEWBtx

Address

3200 Greenfield Road, Suite 300
Dearborn, MI
48120

Website

http://www.ispu.org/

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