ILLINOIS MUSLIMS:
NEEDS, ASSETS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
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.
Illinois Muslims: Needs, Assets, and Opportunities Report Presentation!
130 leaders, influencers, and activists (at capacity) in person at the University of Illinois Chicago & 500 on ZOOM
The Coalition has been featured in 30 media articles and have over two dozen presentations scheduled across the state and nation!
A HISTORIC STUDY
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 to define, fund, and execute this historic study. The results of this research can help guide leaders, officials, volunteers, policymakers, corporations, and social/civic organizations on how best to understand and support the Muslim community in Illinois.
REPORT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
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).
IL Muslim Civic Coalition (The Coalition)
The IL 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.
Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
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.
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
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.
RESEARCH TEAM
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, UIC
Umair Tarbhai
Co-Principal Investigator | Research Associate, Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement, UIC
Ojus Khanolkar
Report Co-Author | Research Associate, Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement, UIC
Roy Rothschild
Research Associate, Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement, UIC
Erum Ikramullah
Research Project Manager, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
CONVENING TEAM: IL MUSLIM CIVIC COALITION
Dr. Dilara Sayeed
President, Strategy and Partnerships
Reema Kamran
President, Operations
Deena Habbal
Communications and Operations
COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
Caroline Welford
Communications, C Strategies, IL Muslim Civic Coalition
Katherine Coplen
Director of Communications, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Rebecka Green
Communications and Creative Media Specialist, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
ADVISOR
Dr. Hatem Bazian
Professor and Senior Lecturer, University of California, Berkeley
LEAD SPONSOR
SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS
SPONSORING FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS
Mazen Asbahi and Lena Shahbandar
Zaher Sahloul and Suzanne Akhras
Sayeed and Alimuddin Family
Mohammad Shamim Mozaffar Fund
Kamran Family
Imad and Linda Kamran
Safaa Zarzour and Family
To become a Sponsor, please call 630-640-1865 or email Info@ILMuslimCivicCoalition.org
IL TASK FORCE MEMBERS
The Illinois Muslims Report Task Force members are key to the historic Illinois Muslims: Needs, Assets, Opportunities report. Task Force members are volunteers and influencers who engage their vast networks, provide input and counsel, and translate research into action.
The Task Force worked with the researchers to develop the vision, ask questions, provide input, and connect researchers with our communities/residents for the survey, focus groups, and other research methodologies to maximize participation and the diversity of Muslims in Illinois. The Task Force was critical to capturing a true snapshot of the diverse community.
Faith centers, masjids, Muslim Students Associations, and other campus-focused organizations also provided great support.
