Summary

The socio-political environment for Muslims in the United States has seen both challenges and improvements. Following the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, the Muslim community expanded significantly, establishing over two thousand mosques and Islamic centers by 2011, and fostering political activism through groups like Council on American Islamic Relations and Muslim Public Affairs Council. Despite facing scrutiny and suspicion, particularly post-9/11, Muslims have strengthened their distinct religious and ethnic identities, which they were less able to do in earlier eras before the rise of the internet.

The development of a panreligious identity among Muslims has been impeded by differing preferences among ethnic groups regarding identity labels. This lack of a unified identity may have made Muslims more vulnerable to scrutiny and discrimination, particularly after 9/11; simultaneously, they began to recognize their shared experiences and linked fate within the community.

Though many Muslims have successfully assimilated economically by acquiring the necessary cultural skills and knowledge, their political experiences remain complicated by the socio-political realities tied to their religious identity. Additionally, the historical narrative surrounding Muslim immigration and US policies positions Muslims as contradictions to the “ideal” citizen image.