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INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL POLICY AND UNDERSTANDING


Social challenges have become increasingly more complex and interwoven - requiring in-depth and comprehensive analysis. The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) is unique in its ability to bring an alternative approach to these human and social problems. ISPU provides cutting-edge analysis and policy solutions through publications, public events, media commentary, and community research. Our multidisciplinary approach, in partnership with universities and other research institutes, serves to build understanding and create programs that effect lasting social change.


ANNOUNCEMENTS
IN FOCUS

Muslim Health Clinics ReportNew!
ISPU Report Released on April 9, 2008: Muslim Health Clinics a Critical Safety Net in Health Care Access for Underserved Communities in US


American-Muslim health providers driven by ‘desire to give back’; Contributions reflect community’s growing role in American civic and public service

 

A new report released on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 by ISPU outlines how Muslim community-based health organizations (MCBHOs) are providing a critical safety net in health care access for the most underserved communities in America. The first-of-its-kind study, titled “Caring for Our Neighbors,” provides a deeper understanding of the motivations that drive American-Muslim health providers, the demographic makeup of the populations they serve and the clinics’ growing role in American public health and community building.

 

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General Petraeus

Credit: Tribune Interactive

 

New!
General Petraeus' Progress Report Falls Flat
Fawaz Gerges, ISPU Fellow

 

Seven months after the "surge" of 21,000 more U.S. troops to Iraq, the security situation is too "fragile and reversible" to allow for a drawdown of the 140,000 combat forces that will remain there in July. That was the key point made by Army General David Petraeus to lawmakers, some of whom were skeptical of the open-ended American commitment toward the war-torn country.

 

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UPCOMING EVENTS

 

New!  Divorce in the Muslim Community
with Julie McFarlane
Professor of Law, University of Windsor

 

 

Date: Saturday, June 28

 

Time: 12:00 pm (sharp)

 

Location:
Clubhouse at the Links of Fellows Creek
1919 Arcadia,
Canton, Michigan 48187

 

RSVP:
Sadia Shakir: 734-637-9238 or
Fakhia Rashid: 847-962-9077

 

RSVP now! Only 30 seats remaining
 

Get a map

 

 

 

 

Social Responsibilities of Muslims in America - FlyerNew!  Social Responsibilities of Muslims in America
Featuring Dr. Sherman Jackson

 

Date: Saturday, May 10

 

Time:

6:30 pm: Reception

7:00 pm: Dinner Program

 

Location:
Sheraton Westport Plaza Tower

900 Westport Plaza

St. Louis, MO 63146

Get a map

 

Get More Info!  


 

 

 

ISPU NEWS

Guardian logo


New!
A Clear Verdict in Pakistan
Hassan Abbas ISPU Fellow
February 19, 2008

The verdict is clear. Pakistan has shown the door to the mullahs and delivered a stern warning to Musharraf. Pakistan has backed the opposition to Musharraf's despotic handling of the judiciary, his high-handedness against independent media and his political cronyism. As a result, Musharraf's future looks bleak, while Pakistan gets a fighting chance to puts its house in order.

 

The drift of the voters is not unexpected, but few trusted the state machinery to conduct largely fair elections. Pre-poll rigging was in full swing till the end, caretakers' partiality towards pro-Musharraf parties was obvious and the Election Commission's neutrality was in doubt. While a string of suicide bombings haunted voters, ordinary Pakistanis have shown that they still believe in democracy. Voter turnout was low but the message of the electorate is clear.

 

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New!

Deadly Embrace: How much of the war on terror is blowback from U.S. policies?
Fawaz A. Gerges, ISPU Fellow
Sunday, October 21, 2007

 

The new Iraq has set a world record, not in the rapid construction of democracy, but in suicide bombings. Since the American-led invasion in 2003, Iraq has suffered nearly 1,000 suicide attacks, more than double the number carried out by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Israel, combined. The majority of these attacks targeted Iraqi security forces and Shia civilians, not coalition troops.

 

As Americans contemplate this morass, one of the saddest questions is whether it is partly "blowback" -- intelligence jargon for what goes around, comes around. The fact that the United States once backed Osama bin Laden and other jihadis against the Soviets in Afghanistan is well known. But three new books, and my own recent experience, suggest that there are other kinds of blowback in the war on terror, some of them little recognized.

 

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New!  PBS News Coverage on Pew Muslim-American Study:
Most Muslims Against Iraq War, But Say U.S. Aid Needed

 

A vast majority of Muslims in America feel the use of force in Iraq was wrong -- even more so than the general public, according to survey results -- but some say a continued U.S. presence is necessary for stability.

 

The most recent Pew Research Center survey on the subject, published May 22, found that 75 percent of Muslim Americans said the U.S. use of military force in Iraq was wrong, compared to 47 percent of the general public.

 

Farid Senzai, director of research for the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, helped advise Pew on its survey. He said Muslim-Americans in general saw a disconnect between the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the invasion of Iraq, even though the war on terrorism was one of the main reasons the Bush administration gave for going to war in Iraq.

 

To view a copy of the report, click here.

 

Read the PBS coverage...

Read the complete study on Muslim Americans...

 

 


 
Briefing on Pew Muslim-American Survey

 

There is an imperative need to conduct further studies on the
Muslim Community

 

Farid Senzai, Fellow and Director of Research at ISPU presented the findings from the report released by the Pew Research Center on Muslim Americans before Congress as well as staff members from several federal agencies.

 

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Farid Senzai Speaks at Pew Research Center Press Conference on Survey of Muslim Americans

 

Farid Senzai, Fellow and Director of Research at ISPU, made comments today at a press conference in Washington, DC at which the Pew Research Center released a comprehensive survey of Muslim Americans, describing the attitudes, experiences and demographics of the group. Senzai served as a member of Pew's outside advisory board on this project. In addition ISPU organized the focus groups that informed the research.

The study is the first ever nationwide survey to attempt to measure rigorously the demographics, attitudes and experiences of Muslim Americans. The survey also contrasts the views of the Muslim population as a whole with those of the U.S. general population, and with the attitudes of Muslims all around the world, including Western Europe. Finally, findings from the survey make important contributions to the debate over the total size of the Muslim American population.

 

For media inquiries, please call (586) 416-1150.

To view a copy of the report, click here.

 

 

 

OPPORTUNITY

 

ISPU is Currently Accepting Proposals for Projects

 

Click here to find out more information!

 

 

 

ARTICLES


New! Blaming Islam: Examining The Religion Building Enterprise

By Louay Safi
ISPU Fellow


To "Save Democracy", Bush's War Will Target Shias Too

by Muqtedar Khan
ISPU Fellow


Top 10 Things Not to Do in Iraq

By Ivan Eland, Ph.D.
ISPU Fellow


Middle East Crisis: Is The US Part of the Problem?

By Muqtedar Khan, Ph.D.
ISPU Fellow




CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF AMERICAN MUSLIMS

REPORTS

Muslim Health Clinics Report


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New! Caring for Our Neighbors: How Muslim Community-Based Health Organizations are Bridging the Healthcare Gap in America

Lance D. Laird
ISPU Fellow

 

Wendy Cadge
ISPU Fellow

 


New! Blaming Islam: Examining The Religion Building Enterprise

By Louay Safi
ISPU Fellow

 


New! Islamic Education in America

 


Enhancing Board Performance In The Islamic Non-Profit Sector

Analysis and Recommendations
By Aamir A. Rehman
ISPU Research Associate


More Reports