America’s Fastest Growing Religion

By: Shamim Ahmed

Islam is not only the fastest growing religion in America, it is the fastest growing religion in the world. By 2050, it is said that the global Muslim population will precede Christian population and Islam would become the largest religion in the world. The unfortunate fact is, however, that the number of people who embrace Islam and those who leave Islam are roughly equal. The reason for the Muslim population growth is the high birth rate among Muslims. In America, Islam is probably the third largest religion in numbers, after Christianity and Judaism. Approximately 3.45 to 4.0 million Muslims are living in the United States. The history of Islam in America begins with the arrival of African slaves. While many were Muslim, most could not or did not practice their religion and eventually they accepted the religion of the land and became Christians. When a wave of Muslim immigrants started coming to America in the 60’s and 70’s, the immigrants adhered to their religion and practiced and professed Islam and built houses of worship.

Currently, most Muslim Americans live in both Michigan and New York City, while 22.3% of Muslims live in New York City alone. The city is home to more than 285 Masajid. The Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Michigan, is the largest mosque in the United States.

Muslims make up over 12% of the NYC’s pharmacists, lab technicians, and over 9% of all doctors and 11.3% of all engineers. Nearly 10,000 NYC teachers are Muslim. Among them there are African-American Muslims, Arab Muslims, and some from other parts of the globe, such as the Indian subcontinent (Pakistan, India and Bangladesh). Then there are some who have converted to Islam.

The question is, what motivates people to leave their faith and turn to Islam?

In my conversation with reverts, many have said that the reasons they turn to Islam are:

» Islam’s doctrine is simple and rational, all believers are equal.

» Islam is a “practical” religion. » In Islam there is no priesthood.

» I was seeking the Truth.

» Spirituality was not satisfied.

» Idea of Trinity or many gods did not sit well with me.

According to a 2017 PEW Research Center survey, African-Americans make up 20% of the Muslim population in the United States. Richard Reddie, in his article “Why are black people turning to Islam,” states that there are many reasons African-Americans turn to Islam ranging from theological, emotional, and cultural motivations. To some, Islam gave them meaning, to some it allowed them to engage with society at a moral level, and to some it provided them a focus on modesty and liberated them from the chains of social objectification of women.

Another question is what motivates Anglo-Americans to turn to Islam?

» Islam gives direction and discipline. » Islam offers a conversion.

» It gives the opportunity to get one’s life in order.

» American society is disintegrating due to lack of discipline, especially in the cities.

» People need to follow the “guidance” of God’s law. By doing so they will make it to heaven. The thought is very pleasing to many people especially if they are facing difficulties in life.

» If they are trying to find peace in life that also turns them toward Islam. Yet, the biggest question is: What challenges do new Muslims face? According to an article published by KALW, titled “Muslim converts wrestle with isolation, seek support,” the main challenges Muslim converts have to face are social and emotional.

Social trauma:

» The biggest dilemma they face is keeping their new faith a secret or declare it

» When they declare it, they were thrown out of the house. » Family disowned them

» Education support stopped

» Mothers cried and begged to come back to their own old faith.

» Financial support stopped

» Friends abandoned them »

Not enough support from the Muslim community

» Trying to fit in

Some of them faced emotional trauma:

» Loneliness, home sickness, depression, anxiety.

Some faced other hurdles:

» Learning difficulties »

Learning salah

» Learning Arabic

» Dressing up modestly

» Wearing Hijab

» Giving up certain foods and drinks

While many people are converting to Islam, there is a growing trend of Muslims leaving the faith as well. For some converts it becomes difficult to adhere to their new faith without a proper social support system and they eventually quit Islam and turn back to their old religion. Along with converts, many young Muslims are quitting Islam too. These youth are more engrossed into American culture and parents have found it difficult to connect their children to community centers and Masajid. Lack of religious knowledge, Muslim friends, and an Islamic environment at home, allows the youth to become more influenced by their American friends and culture and therefore the temptation to quit Islam becomes greater.

In order to keep Muslims, converts and youth, from leaving the religion and to protect their faith, the Muslim community needs to provide a more structured support system to help at an individual level. Muslim communities need to make Masajid safe spaces for the youth and converts to come and feel welcome and not judged or overwhelmed. Muslim communities also need to make an effort to reach out to these individuals and families and develop personal relationship to make each individual feel part of the community. Masjids should host events especially for converts and plan programs that appeal to the youth. When the Muslim community bonds together, it gives those on the fence a better chance to walk back to the embrace of Islam.